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The
3 R’s: Reduce, Reuse,
Recycle
This mantra has become a popular phrase for dealing with waste, but
what does it really mean? The 3 R’s are listed in this particular order
for a reason. Here we’ll
explain the importance of the order and what you can do to help.
Reduce
Reduce is listed first because it is generally the most beneficial
for the environment and it is what you should consider before the next
two options. Reduce means to
cut down on your overall consumption. Or in other words, use less. We have less of an environmental impact if we reduce
the amount of products that we are buying or using.
Examples:
·
Reading the newspaper online instead of receiving
a paper copy.
·
Turn off lights, computers, and TVs when you’re
not using them.
·
Print on both sides of a piece of paper.
·
Walk or bike somewhere instead of using a car-
you’ll be reducing your gasoline usage.
·
Use compact fluorescent light bulbs, which will
reduce your energy dependence because they are more efficient than the
regular incandescent light bulbs.
·
Utilize natural lighting instead of artificial
lighting that is powered by electricity.
Reuse
Reuse is the next step in this hierarchy. Reusing refers to the action of
using a product again instead of just throwing it away. If we reuse products as much as
we can then we will decrease our dependence on creating new products.
Examples:
·
Reusing plastic grocery bags as liners for small
wastebaskets.
·
Reusing materials from a package that you’ve
received.
·
Use dishtowels or rags instead of disposable
paper towels.
·
Reuse water bottles to fill up your water again
and again.
·
Use rechargeable batteries.
·
Compost your food scraps.
Recycle
Recycling is the last step in the 3 R’s because reducing and
reusing are more environmentally friendly options given that little to no
resources or energy are used in minimizing your waste or reusing an
item. Recycling comes into
play when you have determined that reducing and reusing aren’t options.
Recycling is the process of turning a used product into a new
product. Recycling utilizes
a product that has already been used by a consumer and uses the raw
material in creating something that can be used again. When you choose to recycle you
are supporting the effort of reducing the need to create products with
virgin materials.
Examples:
Recycling your household goods such as aluminum cans, steel cans,
newspaper, mixed paper, glass, plastics, motor oil, printer cartridges,
and certain types of batteries.
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