The three R’s – reduce, reuse and recycle –may sound very retro, but they make a big difference to the environment. The three help to cut down on the amount of waste we throw away. They conserve natural resources, landfill space and energy. These are the three essential components of environmentally-responsible consumer behaviour.
Simple Ways to Manage Waste
Waste is not waste
It is not tough to manage waste. In a normal household, the waste produced can be categorized into three broad categories:
- Kitchen waste, including peels of vegetables and fruits, left-over cooked food including chappati, rice and bread etc.
- Plastics, Polythenes, milk packets, disposable plates and glasses etc.
- Paper, used notebooks, old books, newspaper etc.
Kitchen Waste
Kitchen waste is an asset for a garden. It can be easily decomposed into manure. If it is not possible for someone to make manure then it can be given to the garbage collector of your colony who will send it to a landfill for composting.
Plastic Waste
Use the simple formula of 3 Rs – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle when it comes to plastics, polythenes and paper. One can be very creative when it comes to reuse. Some simple tips are listed below:
- Always carry cloth bag while going to market, buying vegetables and fruits or any kind of shopping. Say no to plastic bags.
- Avoid polythenes but if you have collected some, keep on reusing them as long as possible.
- Many of the plastic containers, thermocoal boxes and even broken crockery can be used as planters.
- Avoid use of disposables. If necessary, use biodegradable disposables.
- Use both sides of paper.
- Get things repaired rather than replacing them.
- Buy grocery in bulk so that there is less packaging waste.
- Use returnable glass and plastic bottles
- Discontinue the use of unnecessary products like cocktail umbrellas, placemats etc.
- Donate items you have no longer a use for to someone who needs them, e.g. clothes, bedding, household items etc. (obviously should be in good condition)
- If there is still some waste produced, then give to your local kabbadiwala who acts as the best waste manager.