Mantra
Posted by James Mason Ball on July 29, 2008
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle……
Ahhhhhh, the mantra of the eco-savvy. Say it with me now. But what does it mean? It is so much more than a catchy slogan found on hemp t-shirts. This is known as the waste hierarchy, listed in the order of environmental importance. Americans account for about 5% of the world’s population and consume almost 25% of the world’s energy. This is an astounding fact. How can so few impact so many? By beginning to change our personal consumption habits, we will start the increasingly important act of reducing waste. By following the hierarchy, we each begin to become more and more aware of our own environmental impact.
Here is a very simplistic breakdown, listed in order of the level of environmental benefit:
- REDUCE. Buy less, use less, waste less.
- REUSE. Use what you already have.
- RECYCLE. Repurpose or remanufacture waste and give it a new life.
Today why not make a personal commitment to change at least one wasteful habit (we all have them!) Try taking your own mug to your favorite coffee shop and forego the paper cup. Are you itching to redecorate? Try rearranging the furniture that you already have, maybe even move items from one room to another, for a fresh look. And if you must buy a something, try thrift or antique stores. You’ll probably end up with a beautiful, unique piece, often for much cheaper. And it just can’t be stressed enough: ALWAYS, ALWAYS RECYCLE! Think before you toss something in the trash. Most recyclable waste ends up in trash cans.
There are so many ways to make earth-friendly decisions in your life. Be creative! And remember, you can always fall back on the basics for inspiration: Reduce, reuse, recycle.
