Q: WHAT ARE THE “THREE R’S’? HINT, Not Reading, 'Riting, & 'Rithmetic!

A: REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE.

 

This is the first in a series to focus us on ways that we can help to protect and clean up our environment.

First, the first “R”, reduce - to use less

 Most of us, and fortunately the most is shrinking, are simply not aware of the problems generated by the incredibly high rate of consumption of products in our society. As we become more aware, it gets easier to realize that with only a few modifications of our behavior, we will not only help our planet, but we will have less clutter and also save a lot of money! Preventing waste in the first place also can mean economic savings for communities, businesses, and schools.
 

Let’s explore a bit of the why’s of the three “R”s.

      Did you know that: 
… between 1960 and 2007 the amount of waste each person creates has almost doubled from 2.7 to 4.6 pounds per day. The most effective way to stop this trend is by preventing waste in the first place.

… it takes more than 2 gallons of water to make just one t-shirt, and 24% of the world’s pesticides are used to grow cotton.

… many of our landfills are filled to overflowing and it is getting more and more difficult to find room for the literal mountains of trash that are accumulating every year.

        How can we help?  The best place to start and make a difference is right in your own home. You can reduce the amount of materials you use and waste you produce, reuse products in new ways, recycle goods, and choose items and alternative methods to use less toxic chemicals. Remember how much water it takes to make just one T shirt? A good choice would be to not buy the latest, cutest, most expressive new shirt, but to check out the thrift stores for like new shirts, or to use an iron on decal to decorate the shirts we already have.

 

To reduce the amount of waste which households send to the local landfill, we must change the way we make decisions: purchasing decisions; household management decisions; and citizen action decisions. Since Packaging materials account for a major portion of the trash we generate, consider buying items in bulk or those with minimal packaging such as fruit, vegetables, and even tools that are available in bins and do not require packaging.

   

Sometimes, just trying to figure out how to make the best choices when we are shopping can be confusing. Thousands of products bombard us as consumers with claims that may or may not be true. We must look at product packaging with an eye to these considerations:  
      Can it be re-used? Choose: cloth or string grocery bags and don’t collect more than you actually will use. (Remember, just manufacturing them takes a toll on the environment), rechargeable batteries, a diaper service using cloth diapers, and containers which can continue to serve as containers for other things or as space dividers) 
      Does it have a long product life? Select well made items which can be repaired if necessary and you’ll also save money in the long run.  
      Does it have minimum packaging? Buy in bulk or choose large containers; avoid blister packs and excess quantities of filler. 
      Does it have minimum toxicity? Choose the least hazardous cleaning supplies, paints, other substances to avoid harming people, land, or the water supply) 
      Is it really a necessary purchase? Resist buying as many unneeded clothing, entertainment items and other purchases; rent large equipment used infrequently)  
      We can help to save natural resources.  
Waste is not just created when consumers throw items away. Throughout the life cycle of a product from extraction of raw materials to transportation to processing and manufacturing facilities to manufacture and use waste is generated. Reusing items or making them with less material decreases waste dramatically. Ultimately, fewer materials will need to be recycled or sent to landfills or waste combustion facilities.

We can reduce the levels of toxicity of waste by selecting nonhazardous or less hazardous items. Sharing products that contain hazardous chemicals instead of throwing out leftovers, reading label directions carefully, using the smallest amount necessary, and replacing polishes, deodorizers, and other products that contain hazardous components are ways to reduce waste toxicity.

We need to use non toxic and non polluting alternatives for certain items (e.g., cleaning products and pesticides). To learn about the unsuspected poisons that are probably lurking under your kitchen sink and around your home just send an email requesting the unsuspected poisons info to sabrams@earnlink.net and I’ll send that information.