There are three words starting with the letter “R” (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle), which represents the waste hierarchy, and classify the waste management strategies used to minimize the volume of waste produced daily on the planet.
Waste management uses the “three R’s” of the waste hierarchy that teaches people how to reduce their consumption, how to produce less waste and how to keep the environment cleaner.
Waste Hierarchy – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Reduce is the first word in the waste hierarchy and refers to the reduction of the consumption in a sustainable way, which will lead to a reduced volume of waste.
In order to reduce consumption, we first need to understand that we don’t need to complicate life, we can live in similar comfort even if are using less resources.
A simple life can turn you into a much happier person because always happiness will lie in the simple things of life.
To reduce consumption, we need to understand that we can use a product for multiple purposes.
For example, a coffee maker that can produce steam can be used both to prepare coffee and cappuccino, so we don’t need to buy two different devices, one for coffee and one for cappuccino.
Try to buy multifunctional machines
Buy a multifunctional printer (all-in-one printer) that can scan and also copy documents, you don’t need to buy separately the scanner, the copier and the printer.
Do the same in case of a fax machine, don’t buy the fax machine alone, buy a fax that is attached to another device such as a printer.
If we start buying multifunctional items, the production of individual devices will be reduced, and this will generate a reduced volume of packaging materials disposed in landfills.
When you go to the supermarket you may buy many things that you don’t actually need just because they are highlighted with some bright color (products in promotion with lower prices).
Don’t forget that supermarkets often lower the price of the products that are hard to sell.
In order to avoid buying unnecessary items from the supermarket you need to create at home a list with the items that you want to buy from the supermarket.
Once arrived at the supermarket, you need to stick to your list and never buy something else.
This will also save you some time and money because if you already know what you want to buy from the supermarket, you will need less time to get the products.
More Tips to Reduce Waste
You can change a feew things in your life to reduce your daily waste volume.
1. Make Use Of Canvas Bags
When you go to the supermarket, you can take your own canvas bags with you to avoid buying disposable bags that are usually made of plastic.
This will reduce the amount of plastic disposed in landfills (plastic is very harmful for the environment).
2. Use Both Sides Of Paper
To reduce the volume of paper used, you don’t need to print documents on only one side of the paper, you can use both sides of the paper to print your documents and this way you will consume less paper, which will also save trees.
3. Turn Off Lights And Devices In Empty Rooms
Before leaving the room, you can turn off the light, the TV and the computer in that room to save energy.
To save even more energy you can unplug all your appliances during the nightand this will save you some 10% on your electricity bill every year.
4. Use An Email Service
Stop using paper mail and use an email service to communicate with others.
Your utility provider may have an online service that can send you the monthly bill in electronic format instead of using paper and a postal service to send you the bill.
5. Avoid Purchasing Products That Are Over-packaged
Always avoid products that are over-packaged with paper, foil and plastic. By avoiding this kind of products, you can reduce the conmption of paper, plastic and foil, which will also save the landfills from being invaded by a large volume of packaging materials every year.
6. Buy Quality And Durable Products
Never buy a product just because is cheap, always try to buy quality products even if you have to spend a little more.
7. Avoid Using Disposable Napkins, Plates, Glass, Spoons And Cups
Try to reduce the consumption of napkins, plates, etc., in order to reduce the volume of dangerous waste (plastics) that are disposed in landfills where they start polluting the soil.
Reuse is the second word in the waste hierarchy and refers to the number of things that we can reuse again and again instead of throwing them in the trash can.
I’m sure that by using your imagination, you can turn every product you no longer need into something useful, and this will avoid the purchase of new products in the near future.
You can also donate products you no longer need.
This way you will do a good thing by helping others and you will reduce the volume of waste disposed into the environment.
Home Items That You Can Reuse Again and Again
There are many products that we use almost daily, which can be used over and over again without replacing them with new ones.
1. Glass Jars, Pots, Containers And Plastic Cans
Glass jars, pots, containers and plastic cans can be reused to store different items in the kitchen or in cabinets.
2. Plastic Soda Bottles, Gallon Jugs And Other Plastic Containers
Plastic soda bottles, gallon jugs and different plastic containers can be reused to store homemade products or you can find them a new and useful role in the kitchen, bathroom or outside in the yard.
3. Used Wood
Used wood left from construction can be turned into firewood or can be used to build something useful for your kids.
4. Used Tyres
Used tires can be very useful in the garden or you can send them back to the factory (recycling) to be turned into retreaded tires.
5. Old Newspapers And Magazines
Old newspapers and magazines can be reused to pack or store items in the house.
Waste paper can be reused (documents printed on only one side of the paper can be reused on the other side).
Waste paper you no longer need can be sent to a recycling center.
6. Rechargeable Batteries
Rechargeable batteries can be reused over and over again.
7. Donate Things That You No Longer Need
You can also donate to those in need the old things you no longer need such as books, clothes and even toys.
Recycle is the third and final word in the waste hierarchy and refers to the large number of things that can be recycled today and turned into new and useful products, which can then be reused.
Wherever you live on the planet, I’m sure that there is a recycling center or recycling point close to you where you can take all the recyclable things you no longer need.
By taking them to the recycling point, you will become a protector of the environment because those waste products will no longer be thrown in landfills where they contaminate the soil.
If there is no recycling point close to you, there must be containers of different colors specially created to dispose specific waste materials such as plastic, paper, glass, metal and organic waste.
By placing your trash in the designated container you will avoid polluting nature and this will keep the soil, the water and the air that we all breathe much cleaner.
