The ‘Three Rs’: Reduce, Reuse, & Recycle

The ‘Three Rs’: Reduce, Reuse, & Recycle

“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.”

– Native American proverb

1. Look at the quoted proverb above. What do you think it means? Explain in your own words.

Let’s make one thing clear: we have a finite planet with finite resources. All of us need to manage resources more sustainably. How? By following the ‘three R's’. Therefore, it's time to learn the 3R's of the environment which are at the heart of the ‘Go Green’ global movement:

REDUCE: Reduce is probably the most important of the 3R’s – after all, it is listed first. The best way to manage waste is to not produce it. And the best way to do this is to buy only what is necessary. You can share things which you won’t use frequently. Also, buy things that are durable so that they last longer. If we reduce consumption, there will be less need to reuse and recycle.

REUSE: In many ways reusing and recycling seem similar, but reusing does not require re-manufacturing, processing etc. Instead of throwing things away, you can try to find ways for new owners to reuse them again!

RECYCLE: When we recycle, we give the material a new life and save it from going to the landfill. Materials like glass, plastic, aluminium, and paper can be mass collected, broken or melted down, and made into entirely new products. Recycling is important; it can reduce raw material consumption, energy use and landfill space. It’s also one of the easiest and most visible green things that you can do.

We may not stop waste production entirely, but we can contribute to reducing it. Simply by using these principles in our daily life we can make a real difference to the environment and the future of our world. So always remember: Don’t trash it until you’ve tried the 3R’s!