The Big Three
Everybody has heard of the three R’s: reduce, reuse, recycle. As this is something we hear since we are kids, the importance of it should be ingrained into our minds by now; however, it often seems to be lost on most. While not everybody is in a position to uphold these rules to their highest extent, everybody should be trying their best.
The order these R’s are stated in is in fact the order you should follow them. Reducing is the most important of the three and what you should put most of your efforts into. Following this rule with consumption is the most sustainable compared to that of the other R’s. This is because as you reduce what you use, you decrease natural resource harvesting. This then eliminates all of the energy input that would have gone into creating, packaging, and shipping those goods. Some examples of this would be to own metal water bottles and straws so as to not buy and use excessive plastic ones, to start riding a bike, walking, or carpooling to places to reduce gasoline use, and to buy in bulk to reduce packaging.
Next is to reuse. This is the second most sustainable practice. While it doesn’t decrease consumption as much as reducing does, it also doesn’t use any additional energy to create a product. To reuse can mean to simply use an item over again, or, it can be to repurpose an item so it can be used as an alternative in a different context. Some examples of the former are to buy second hand clothes at thrift stores and to get items at garage sales, as well as selling or donating at those places and hosting one's own garage sales. Some examples of the latter would be to use egg cartons as organizers, use old newspapers or magazines as wrapping paper, and to use any old and empty jars for storing food items from zero-waste stores. Reusing can be very easy and become extremely creative. Use your imagination with this idea of reinvention to help the environment.
The last of the three R’s is to recycle. While this is the one people most think of, it is actually the least sustainable. It takes large amounts of energy and money to process and convert solid waste material into new products. An example of open-loop recycling is how plastic water bottles can be transformed into fabric. An example of closed-loop recycling is how recycled glass can be turned into new glass. Because of the energy it takes to carry out these processes, reducing and reusing should be your greatest focus. However, when you can’t do one of those two things, it is important to recycle. This act also decreases the demand for new materials and therefore decreases the energy input that would be required to turn those raw materials into products and ship them. Overall, this lowers fossil fuel output and therefore reduces climate change.
While it is important that you recycle, it is even more important that you recycle correctly. When people recycle items that shouldn’t be, the cost for recycling centers to sort and process items increases. It is important to do your own research. Look at the recycling centers near you and see what products they allow. Also, look at the numbers on the different plastics you use. Generally, all #1 and #2 plastics can be recycled and any number above would go into the trash; however, some centers allow #3, #4, etc. Other than plastics, items such as jars, newspapers, cardboard, and more can all be recycled as long as they are clean. Items with food residue that cannot be washed or cleaned should be thrown away. As a rule of thumb, any item you have doubt about whether or not they can be recycled should be thrown out. The damage items can do if they aren’t meant to be recycled are what drives up the costs of these recycling centers. There is also always the chance that it somehow interferes with the equipment or taints an otherwise viable batch of recyclables. While if done only once, it likely won’t cause much harm, when done often and by a multitude of people, the consequences can become more severe.
Overall, all three of these R rules should be followed as much as possible. While you may not think that you could have too great of an impact to really want to put the effort in, it is that mindset that discourages others along with you. It is only when many come together to help their environment that real effects can be seen.
For more detailed information on Monmouth County’s recycling rules and guidelines, click here.