RRR, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. The 3 R's have been around since I was a kid but they're still around because what they stand for is powerful. I covered this topic very briefly in my New Years blog, but I think it's important to talk more about this eco-essential alliteration. Sticking to the 3 R's keeps our landfills from overloading and helps to curb the production of unnecessary disposables and materials. In a nutshell, minimizing waste means lower carbon emissions and cleaner air for everyone. Often times when traveling even the greenest of greenies can seem to forget about these steps, but please try to keep them in mind no matter where you may be. For those of you green curious folks, you can start greening up your life by incorporating any one of these steps…and you'll soon find out that they all tie together.
Reduce. All of us are surely guilty of having bought at least one thing that we've never even used. The first of the 3 R's is probably the most important, and it goes farther than just reducing the amount of stuff we throw away. If we could all reduce the amount of things we bought to begin with, it would cut back on both the amount of junk being dumped into the landfills and the production of unnecessary goods…plus we'd all have some extra cash lying around to travel. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to tell you to stop shopping all together, just think about what you're buying. The easiest way to start is to try something really simple- like cutting down on the disposables that you use. Bring your own mug to the office instead of using the styrofoam cups. Skip the disposable plates at home. Don't buy products wrapped in ridiculous amounts of packaging and buy things that are recyclable. Let others know why you're doing it and why it's important. Reducing what you buy will naturally reduce what you throw away.
Reuse. It seems like everything is disposable these days. If something breaks, we don't fix it. We throw away everything from our old computers to razors to water bottles but it's so simple to reuse these things and keep them far from the landfills. Investing in something more permanent may cost more up front but you're more likely to save money in the end. Buy a digital camera as opposed to multiple disposables, buy a razor that you only need to replace the blades, buy Tupperware instead of baggies, and get a reusable water bottle. When you do decide to replace something whether it's your old TV or your wardrobe, donate the old item(s) to a charity like Goodwill. Even if it's old or broken, most items can be fixed or cleaned up and given to a family in need. And finally, even if you do use disposables like plastic cups, plates, utensils, you can wash and reuse them -- most of them last a long time.
Recycle. According to the EPA, 75 percent of the garbage Americans throw away is recyclable but only 25 of that is actually recycled. Curbside recycling programs exist across the US and where it does exist 1 out of 2 homes actually participate and recycle. That's a good start but we can do better. What's holding people back? Is it the fact that they need something next to the garbage can to store the recyclables in, to remind them? Charlie found a great solution to this problem at Gaiam, click here. I know a lot of apartment dwellers complain that their complex doesn't have a recycling program, but there is a great website called earth911.org that can help you find a drop off center anywhere in the US. Earth911 is a great resource for when you're traveling in the US too.
Another huge step you can take that incorporates all 3 of the R's is buying recycled products. The production of anything creates pollution and uses resources but when you buy recycled you are reducing both. As always, you don't have to change your entire lifestyle to help the environment, and every little bit counts.
Article Originally Written By: Melissa Evans
