The 3 “R”s of Green Living!

The 3 "Rs" In origin this reffered to the foundations of a 

basic skills orientated education program in schools: reading, 

writing and arithmetic. Now we use it for Reduce, Reuse and 

Recycle.

The 3 Rs of the environment: reduce, reuse, recycle. Ideals which have been around for a while now and we maybe all know them but do we practice them?

Companies are always selling us a new ideas. The latest seems to be that we can shop our way to a healthier planet. What is the cold truth is that we really need to avoid buying new things! Global warming, deforestation, and other earthly ills cannot be solved by switching brands. We need to eliminate unecessary purchases wherever possible!

It takes resources to manufacture and transport all products, even those made from recycled content. At the very least, energy is spent. And spending resources leaves the world poorer, not better off. So just avoid those things we really don’t need!

Buying nothing is better for the earth than buying green.

Reduce, reuse and recycle!

Reduce:

"Reduce" means using fewer resources in the first place. This is the most effective of the three Rs and the place to begin. This is really where we need to start.

Purchase products which need less packaging limiting the waste we are producing. Also avoid unecessary purchases. When you shop, shop differently. Look for things that will last - things that are not just durable and well-made, but useful and which will please you for a long time.

The extra money you maybe spend on their purchase will be offset by the money you do not spend replacing them. Don't chase the latest fashions. They will age the fastest.

Reuse:

Before you recycle or dispose of anything, consider whether it can be reused in any way. Avoid all disposal bags and cups. Reuse the ones you have. Reusing keeps new resources from being used for a while longer, and old resources from entering the waste stream. It's as important as it is unglamorous. Think about how you can do it more.

I am always thinking of ways to reuse and “upcycle” old things. I will be sharing a few of these in the future.

Recycle:

Recycling is now so easy. When we really have to eliminate things we now have garbage collection where we can throw things selectively.

Plastic, paper, glass, magazines, electronics and more can be processed into new products while using fewer natural resources and less energy. Organic waste can be used as compost.
Here in the village we have door to door pickup. In my house the biggest thing to throw is always plastic! Even though I try to avoid buying things with excess packaging there is always so much.

This is the area I really need to work on reducing. I need to cut down still more on the plastic coming into my house.

Try to learn what the recycling rules are in your own community and follow them whether they make obvious sense or not. It's the easiest way to do your part.

As for shopping for green products, by all means, do so, but only when you really need the thing you're shopping for.

What are your ideas for applying the “3 Rs”?