Home > Green Family > How To Practice Reduce Reuse Recycle (the 3 Rs) As A Family
How To Practice Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (the 3 Rs) As A Family
The three Rs of environmentalism are reduce, reuse, and recycle. They are important for green families to know and practice in daily life as they often serve as the foundation for green family ideals.
Reducing means eliminating things you don't really need, which results in less garbage. When making purchases, it is important to determine if the products you are buying are really necessary. When you make a purchase, you can still reduce your contribution to the landfill by electing to buy products that will last longer.
Purchasing reusable items that can be re-used is another great way to avoid landfill waste. It can be reckless to frequently buy and use disposable products that can only be used once and then thrown away. This creates needless waste. If possible, opt to buy products that can be reused.
Recycling is the process by which materials are collected and used as a basis for new products or materials. Recycling items that you would otherwise throw away reduces landfill waste and helps in conserving energy and money. Buying products made from post-consumer recycled materials supports and encourages more recycling.
Here are some of the ways that green families can practice the 3 Rs:
1. For family meals, use dishes, flatware, and glasses instead of their disposable counterparts. If you choose disposable stuff, at least use recyclable ones.
2. Set out cloth napkins that can be washed (instead of paper napkins) for family meals. If you still have paper napkins that you need to use up, make an effort to use one less per meal.
3. Taking shorter showers will reduce your use of energy (to heat the water) and your water consumption (and their respective bills). Aim for a 5-minute shower!
4. Instead of throwing them away, donate toys and clothes you no longer have a use for to others that can use them.
5. If possible, instead of buying new, check out second hand stores or online message boards like Craigslist and Freecycle.
6. Buy re-chargeable batteries, compact fluorescent light (CFLs) bulbs, and generally elect to buy products made from recycled/recyclable material.
7. When shopping, bring your own reusable shopping bags, and when buying products, purchase those that have less packaging material.
8. Recycle your old cell phones and other electronics properly. Contact your local recycling office for more information.
9. Don't purchase greeting cards and invitations from the store, send digital invites and greetings instead.
10. Start an organic garden to reduce your grocery bill and time spent shopping (more on organic gardening at home coming soon).
To learn more how you can buy eco-friendly products while supporting this website please visit the support the environment and GoingGreenLifestyle page.
Home > Green Family > How To Practice Reduce Reuse Recycle (the 3 Rs) As A Family
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