The Three R's in Waste Management
Everyone is talking about going Green, but are we really making that commitment? We have found that many people have good intentions, but they don’t get started because they simply have not been educated on what to do. A couple of years ago, we decided to educate ourselves on the best way to help our environment. After all, we need a healthy environment so that we can live healthier and happier lives. This page is dedicated to educating people on how to keep our environment healthy. You need to start by practicing the three R’s of waste management: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.
Reduce: Buy only what you need and use all of what you buy. When you are finished with a product, and it is still usable, pass it on to someone else instead of just throwing it away. Items such as paint and chemicals (cleaners, strippers, pesticides, herbicides, etc.) These items are very harmful to the environment. School Drama Departments enjoy receiving your unwanted paint, friends/neighbors, and local farmers might like to receive your unused pesticides/herbicides.
Make wise “package” selections. Many manufacturers package their products in elaborate and expensive packages, which really cost you the consumer more money. Purchase items in packages that can be recycled. Use sports bottles instead of constantly purchasing plastic water bottles. You can get a filter for your faucet or a filter pitcher for your frig instead of buying expensive water bottles.
Refuse store bags. When you go shopping use your reusable bags, they are inexpensive and can be found in most stores. Don’t forget to take your old plastic bags back to the store for recycling. Wal-Mart keeps a bag recycling bin at both front entrances.
Call toll-free numbers in unwanted catalogs and ask to be removed from mailing lists. Whenever possible, use the Internet to obtain and pay bills.
Start a garden. Growing your own food not only taste better, it does not have to be “processed” or “packaged”, and no fossil fuels are needed to ship it to the store. Start a compost to transform your household garbage (food wastes, coffee grounds, egg shells, etc), into a rich earth-like material that can be added to your garden or flower beds. We started ours a few months ago; we put in cut grass, leaves, rabbit and chicken manure in ours as well.
Reuse: Take along washable cups or travel mugs instead of disposables; a lot of restaurants and convenient stores will be glad to fill or refill your own mug. Wash and reuse plastic cups, plates, utensils, and food storage bags. Try to repair your household items instead of just throwing them out and purchasing a new one. Have a yard sale or give away unwanted clothing or other items.
Recycle: Just about everything can be recycled. Recycle paper….some school systems have a recycling project where they get paid for all recycled paper that they produce. They would be glad to get your unwanted paper products. Be sure to shred important documents that contain personal information. Some paper can be added to your compost as well. Animal shelters enjoy receiving your old newspapers (no ads) to put at the bottom of their animal cages.
Reduce: Buy only what you need and use all of what you buy. When you are finished with a product, and it is still usable, pass it on to someone else instead of just throwing it away. Items such as paint and chemicals (cleaners, strippers, pesticides, herbicides, etc.) These items are very harmful to the environment. School Drama Departments enjoy receiving your unwanted paint, friends/neighbors, and local farmers might like to receive your unused pesticides/herbicides.
Make wise “package” selections. Many manufacturers package their products in elaborate and expensive packages, which really cost you the consumer more money. Purchase items in packages that can be recycled. Use sports bottles instead of constantly purchasing plastic water bottles. You can get a filter for your faucet or a filter pitcher for your frig instead of buying expensive water bottles.
Refuse store bags. When you go shopping use your reusable bags, they are inexpensive and can be found in most stores. Don’t forget to take your old plastic bags back to the store for recycling. Wal-Mart keeps a bag recycling bin at both front entrances.
Call toll-free numbers in unwanted catalogs and ask to be removed from mailing lists. Whenever possible, use the Internet to obtain and pay bills.
Start a garden. Growing your own food not only taste better, it does not have to be “processed” or “packaged”, and no fossil fuels are needed to ship it to the store. Start a compost to transform your household garbage (food wastes, coffee grounds, egg shells, etc), into a rich earth-like material that can be added to your garden or flower beds. We started ours a few months ago; we put in cut grass, leaves, rabbit and chicken manure in ours as well.
Reuse: Take along washable cups or travel mugs instead of disposables; a lot of restaurants and convenient stores will be glad to fill or refill your own mug. Wash and reuse plastic cups, plates, utensils, and food storage bags. Try to repair your household items instead of just throwing them out and purchasing a new one. Have a yard sale or give away unwanted clothing or other items.
Recycle: Just about everything can be recycled. Recycle paper….some school systems have a recycling project where they get paid for all recycled paper that they produce. They would be glad to get your unwanted paper products. Be sure to shred important documents that contain personal information. Some paper can be added to your compost as well. Animal shelters enjoy receiving your old newspapers (no ads) to put at the bottom of their animal cages.
Don't throw away anything that can be recycled!
Here is a list of things you should always recycle (or reuse!) ...
Helpful Links:
http://earth911.com/
http://kids.niehs.nih.gov/recycle.htm
http://www.epa.gov/recyclecity/
http://planetgreen.discovery.com/go-green/recycling/
http://nrc-recycle.org/
http://www.epa.gov/waste/conserve/rrr/recycle.htm
Here is a list of things you should always recycle (or reuse!) ...
- Acid Batteries
- Aluminum Cans
- Building Materials
- Cardboard
- Chemicals
- Electronic equipment
- Glass (particularly bottles and jars)
- Lead
- Magazines
- Metal
- Newspaper
- Oil
- Paint
- Paper
- Plastic Bags
- Plastic Bottles
- Steel Cans
- Tires
- White Goods (Appliances)
- Wood
- Writing/Copy Paper
- Yard Waste
Helpful Links:
http://earth911.com/
http://kids.niehs.nih.gov/recycle.htm
http://www.epa.gov/recyclecity/
http://planetgreen.discovery.com/go-green/recycling/
http://nrc-recycle.org/
http://www.epa.gov/waste/conserve/rrr/recycle.htm
