The 3Rs: Reducing

REDUCE!

The critical first step of waste prevention has been overshadowed by a focus on end-of-line waste management (i.e. recycling). Please help us promote a greater awareness of the importance of the "Reduce" part of the 3Rs.

MY REDUCE, REUSE & RECYCLE CHECKLIST

1.       BRING MY OWN SHOPPING BAG WHEN I GO SHOPPING

2.       BRING MY OWN FOOD CONTAINER WHEN I TAKE AWAY FOOD

3.       BRING MY OWN DRINKING WATER IN A BOTTLE WHENEVER I GO OUT.

4.       USE HANDKERCHIEF INSTEAD OF TISSUE PAPER FOR DRYING MY HANDS, ETC.

5.       MAKE MEMO PADS FROM USED PAPER RATHER THAN BUY POST-ITS, MEMO PADS OR NOTEBOOKS.

6.       NOT BUY PIRATED GOODS OR CHEAP, SUBSTANDARD ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES.

7.       TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY MOBILE PHONE AND ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES RATHER THAN KEEP REPLACING BROKEN APPLIANCES.

8.       BRING MY FAMILY TO PLAYGROUNDS OR NATURE PARKS RATHER THAN SHOPPING MALLS.

9.       PRACTICE ONE “BUY NOTHING DAY” A MONTH.

10.    BRING MY OWN PACKED LUNCH, DRINK AND SNACKS TO WORK OR SCHOOL SO I WILL NOT BUY EXPENSIVE, HEAVILY PACKAGED FOOD AND DRINK.

11.    GIVE FRUITS AS FESTIVE GIFTS WHEN VISITING FRIENDS AND FAMILY INSTEAD OF HEAVILY PACKAGED SWEET TREATS.

12.    SAVE AND REUSE ALL OR MOST OF: WRAPPING PAPER, CELLOPHANE WRAP, RIBBONS, TWIST TIE, ENVELOPES, PAPER BAGS AND RUBBER BANDS.

13.    SHARE MY MEAL WITH A FRIEND OR BRING HOME THE LEFTOVERS RATHER THAN WASTE FOOD.

14.    FIND NEW HOUSEHOLD USES FOR JARS, PLASTIC CONTAINERS, ENVELOPES AND OTHER ITEMS BEFORE I DISPOSE OF THEM OR PUT THEM IN THE RECYCLING BIN.

15.    FIND BUSINESSES THAT WILL REPAIR MY APPLIANCES AND FURNITURE, OR REFILL PRINTER CARTRIDGES AND OTHER CONTAINERS, BEFORE I THROW AWAY MY OLD ITEMS AND REPLACE THEM WITH NEW ONES.

16.    SUPPORT LOCAL CHARITIES BY DONATING MY OLD CLOTHES, TOYS AND ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES TO RELEVANT ORGANISATIONS.

17.    REDUCE MY WASTE TO SUCH AN EXTENT THAT I ONLY HAVE TO TAKE THE GARBAGE OUT 1 DAY A WEEK OR LESS.

18.    DISCONTINUE UNNECESSARY MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS AND READ ONLINE OR AT THE PUBLIC LIBRARY INSTEAD. SHARE MY READING MATERIALS WITH MY FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES, AND DONATE OLD MAGAZINES TO MY CLINIC OR HAIR SALOON.

19.    SET UP A COMPOST PIT/HEAP FOR MY GARDEN AND KITCHEN WASTE.

20.    REPLACE DISPOSABLE PARTYWARE WITH PERMANENT TABLEWARE AND CUTLERY, AND PAPER KITCHEN TOWELS WITH DISHCLOTHS AND RAGS.

21.    SWITCH TO BAR SOAP. BAR SOAP HAS LESS PACKAGING WASTE AND IS LESS EXPENSIVE THAN LIQUID SOAP IN BOTTLES WITH PUMP DISPENSERS. IF USING LIQUID SOAP, BUY BULK REFILL RATHER THAN INDIVIDUAL BOTTLES.

22.    DILUTE OR USE LESS OF DETERGENTS, SOAPS AND SHAMPOOS. USING LESS MEANS I WILL NEED LESS WATER FOR RINSING AND WILL GENERATE LESS PACKAGING BECAUSE I WILL NOT HAVE TO REPLACE OR REFILL THESE ITEMS FREQUENTLY.

23.    HOLD A JUMBLE OR YARD SALE TO SELL MY UNWANTED BUT USABLE ITEMS. (NOTE: YOU CAN ALSO HOLD A JUMBLE SALE VIA E-MAIL BY LISTING ITEMS, USUALLY BOOKS, CDS AND CAMPING OR PHOTOGRAPHY EQUIPMENT, FOR SALE AND FORWARDING IT TO FRIENDS.)

24.    TAKE PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO WORK/SCHOOL. THIS WILL REDUCE MY FUEL CONSUMPTION AND MAINTENANCE COSTS, E.G. WEAR & TEAR OF TYRES AND CAR PARTS.

25.    BUY ONLY RELEVANT GIFTS THAT WILL BE APPRECIATED. IF UNSURE, I WILL ASK THE GIFT RECIPIENT MYSELF OR CHECK WITH HIS/HER FAMILY & FRIENDS.

26.    SWITCH TO PRODUCTS WITH A HIGH RECYCLED CONTENT. THIS WILL ENCOURAGE MANUFACTURERS TO CONSERVE NATURAL RESOURCES AND SUPPORT THE RECYCLING INDUSTRY.

27.    USE IN-SOLES IN MY NEW SHOES AND HAVE THE COBBLER FIT EXTRA SOLES, IF POSSIBLE. THIS WILL MAKE MY SHOES LAST MUCH LONGER.

28.    REDUCE PAPER WASTE AT HOME / OFFICE BY NOT PRINTING UNNECESSARY DOCUMENTS, AND AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE BY PRINTING ON ONCE-USED PAPER OR ON BOTH SIDES OF PAPER.

29.    TRY HOLIDAYING AT A LOCAL DESTINATION OR VACATIONING AT HOME, E.G. SPEND A WEEK VOLUNTEERING FOR A WORTHY CAUSE OR RELAXING WITH THE FAMILY. THIS WILL CUT DOWN ON MY SPENDING, PURCHASING OF UNNECESSARY SOUVENIRS AND THE HIGH FUEL CONSUMPTION OF AIR TRAVEL.

30.    AVOID GOING SHOPPING WHILE HUNGRY OR DEPRESSED BECAUSE THOSE ARE TIMES WHEN CONSUMERS ARE MOST VULNERABLE TO IMPULSE SPENDING.