THE THREE R'S: IT'S MORE THAN JUST RECYCLING

THE THREE R'S: IT'S MORE THAN JUST RECYCLING

We grew up learning about the “three R’s” — reduce, reuse, recycle. But have you ever thought about the significance of the order of the three? Of the plastic waste produced between 1950 and 2015, only 9 percent was recycled, according to a 2017 study published in Science Advances. The EPA estimates that every American produces more than two tons of waste yearly, with more than 200 pounds of that being food. We recycle only about one-third of our waste.

Waste management is an increasingly troubling problem for countries to tackle. Many plastics take anywhere from a decade to a few hundred years to degrade in sunlight, and to make a bad problem worse, much of this trash is hidden under piles in landfills.

Many of us make very little effort to reduce or reuse and skip straight to recycling, but have you considered that the R’s are ordered this way on purpose? It’s a waste hierarchy of sorts, with recycling as a last resort. Our efforts would be best spent by prioritizing reducing our waste, reusing what we already have, and only recycling if we absolutely need to discard something. With these lifestyle changes, we can make a small difference to a massive problem.

We’ve added a few other important R’s to the mix. Take a look at how you can meaningfully engage with the growing waste problem through refusing, reducing, reusing, recycling, repairing, and resisting.

REFUSE

Refusing can mean either refusing to participate or refusing to accumulate what we don't need. Refuse to buy or use products that harm you or the environment. Use the power of your dollar — in this case, witholding that power — to tell companies what you want. Refusing doesn't have to be complicated. Sometimes it's a simple "no, thanks."

TIP:

Refuse to accumulate what you don’t need, such as free water bottles, pens, or other swag. If you'll use it, then take it, but if it'll end up in trash, it's better not to. It can feel weird to refuse gifts — but if they aren't necessary, just say no.

TIP:

When you order takeout from a restaurant, ask the server to skip the plastic bag, cutlery, and napkins. Refusing is about preventing ownership altogether so that items never enter the reduce/reuse/recycle life cycle at all.

REDUCE

Reducing is about limiting our accumulation and lessening our impact. While it can be overwhelming to quit anything cold turkey, reducing your bad habits is a great place to start. And when you do have to accumulate something, make a strategic choice to lessen your environmental impact. When you can’t refuse something altogether, you have the buying power to choose one product over another.

5 Things to Reduce This Month

Do you think you can go a whole month without each of these? You'll probably find that it's easier than you expect if you're paying attention to opportunities to reduce.

• Single-use silverware

• Single-use bags (plastic or otherwise)

• Disposable straws

• Plastic cups

• Single-use water bottles

TIP:

Zero waste stores, where you can buy eco-friendlty products, are rising in popularity. See if there’s one in your area, or shop online at some of our favorites such as Package Free and Zero Waste Store.

TIP:

Buy products like food, laundry, and cleaning products in bulk, economy sizes, or concentrate to reduce the amount of packaging you purchase.

REUSE

Reusing means using something more than once. Simple,right? There are clever ways to reuse that you might've never heard of.

TIP:

You often don’t need to buy anything new — you probably have what you need at home. But if you need to buy something, make sure you'll use it more than once. Substitute a plastic shopping bag for a reusable one (we like Baggu), plastic food wrap for beeswax wrap, and plastic Ziploc bags for silicone food bags (such as Stasher). Carry a water bottle, cutlery, and shopping bags with you so you’re never without an eco-friendly option.

Check Out These Tips to Sell Your Clothing Online

Give your clothing new life by donating to a localcenter or selling it on a site like Poshmark, eBay, orDepop. We have a few tips for selling your clothesonline:

• Take great photos! Clear, brightly lit photos are more likely to grab a buyer’s attention. Be sure to show any flaws such as tears, signs of wear, or discolorations. And if it’s an item of clothing, a photo of a person wearing the item can help to sell the item more quickly.

• Describe the item accurately, include measurements, and disclose any flaws.

• Share your items frequently. This way they will show at the top of searches.

• Price correctly. You can’t expect to make back 100 percent of what you paid, so make sure you ask for an amount you would actually pay if you were a buyer.

Things You Should Definitely Reuse Instead of Throwing Away

• Coffee grounds can be used to create a body scrub. It’s exfoliating and smells amazing.

• Your old toothbrush can be used to scrub grout underneath sink fixtures.

• At the end of the growing season, let some of your veggies and flowers go to seed, collect the seeds, and use them next season for free.

• Blankets and towels can be donated to animal shelters, where they will be reused to keep animals warm.

• Used pieces of paper and junk mail can be used as scrap paper.

• Reuse your food scraps by composting them.

• Yard debris like grass cuttings, leaves, and wood chips naturally fertilize and add nutrients to your soil.

• Egg cartons can be used as a palette for paint or a place to store seedlings.

• When you get a gift, save the bag and use it next time you need to give a gift.

• Use this newspaper as wrapping paper — the recipient gets a gift wrapped in good news. :)

REPAIR

Cutting down on waste could be as simple as taking the time,money, and energy to fix something before throwing it out.And you might learn a useful skill in the process.

When You Don’t Have the Right to Fix Your Own Stuff

If one of your various electronics or machines were to break,would you know how to fix it yourself, and could you afford to? Your phone? Your washing machine or fridge? What about your car? These questions are at the forefront of the “right to repair” movement, which advocates for consumers’ right to fix items they own.

Many industries offer repairs exclusively through the manufacturers themselves or authorized agents, which can be costly. Manufacturers rely on people not understanding how their devices work and intentionally don’t provide the resources or parts necessary to DIY it. Plus when the cost of repairing an item is barely less than replacing the item

altogether, many consumers choose to just buy a new gadget instead. That’s what manufacturers — who have a monopoly on repairs — are counting on. And where do our out-of-commission items go? Improperly discarded e-waste can have devastating effects on our environment, polluting our air, soil, and water.

In 2013, Massachusetts signed into law the Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act, mandating that automakers make available the parts and information necessary for repairs. It led the way for bills to come into play in other states, but it’s been a challenge because manufacturers are fighting back.

The good news is politicians are taking note of consumers’ demand to be able to tinker with their own items or choose who repairs it. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders each proposed a right-to-repair bill in 2019. These bills specifically impact the farming and agriculture sector but could springboard to other industries in the future.

You can tell your elected officials that you want the right to repair your own items and break through manufacturer monopolies. Some states already have right-to-repair bills in the works, but if you live in a state that doesn’t have one yet, tell your elected officials you want one.

TIP:

Before you toss your shirt with snag, rip, or pull,consider taking the time to repair it instead. Learning how to sew, hem, or patch will serve as a useful skill and could even turn into a hobby. Plus, how rewarding would it be to wear an item that your time and energy went into repairing? If you really don’t want to fix it, see if there’s a way to repurpose the fabric before you ditch it. Old clothing can often be reused as rags.

TIP:

Treat it like a hobby! Instead of replacing an item, learn to repair it. You’ll feel a sense of accomplishment when you do and will be more likely to care for the item in the future.

The Only 10 Things You Need In Your Home to Create a Toolkit

A well-equipped toolkit is essential for completing everyday jobs around the home — from putting together furniture to home improvements. Here’s what you need to create a toolkit that should maintain and repair most items in your home.

Hammer · Screwdriver · Pliers · Wrench · Tape Measure · Level · Utility Knife · Sewing Kit · Electric Drill · Hacksaw

RECYCLE

Recycling is the act of converting waste into usable materials.Sometimes it's returning a material back into what it once was, or maybe it's turning it into something brand new.

THE GOOD NEWS ON RECYCLING

Recycling can have a profound effect on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The EPA noted that municipal solid waste recycling in 2006 eliminated almost 183 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in greenhouse gas emissions.

The company RecycleBank has partnered with over 300 communities since its inception in 2004. Recycle Bank gives people points for recycling, which they can then use toward discounts at businesses such as Kashi, Footlocker, and Dunkin' Donuts.

Young Boy’s Enthusiasm for Recycling Has Turned Into Local Movement

When he was 3 years old, Ryan Hickman visited a local recycling center with his dad. The next day he decided he wanted to do his part to prevent cans and bottles from reaching the ocean, so he started giving bags to his neighbors, hoping they would save their recyclables for him to bring to the recycling center. Not only did they participate, but they also started sharing the mission with their friends, families, and co-workers.

Every week he sorts through cans and bottles to prepare them for the recycling center. Now eight years later, he’s recycled nearly 800,000 cans and bottles. He’s the recipient of CNN’s Young Wonder Award and has been listed on Good Housekeeping’s 40 Kids Who Changed the World and MSN’s Youngsters Who Are Changing the World lists.

How to Recycle 11 Surprising Items

Some recyclable items might surprise you. Some of these items can’t be thrown into your normal recycling bin, but many cities have programs where you can drop them off to be recycled. Always double check with your city as guidelines can vary from place to place. (And make sure you've reused or repaired first!)

• Batteries

It's actually hazardous to throw away batteries. Visit call2recycle.org to find out where to safely drop them off in your community.

• Holiday Lights

Home Depot launched a recycling program for lights in 2014.

• Printer Cartridges

It's likely that a company in your town will gladly accept your empty cartridges. There's even a chance they'll pay you for it.

• Electronics

Look for a local facility, where electronics are sorted, refurbished, resold, and broken down for parts.

• Paint

You can usually recycle this at local paint stores.

• Crayons

An organization called Crazy Crayons will accept your used crayons for recycling.

• Household Chemicals

Some household cleaners can't be poured down the drain. Check with your local hazardous waste facility to find out how to best recycle. Sometimes you can even mail it in.

• Wine Corks

Organizations like ReCORK collect them, grind them down, and repurpose them.

• Used Motor Oil

Call your local auto shop. They probably take it!

• Running Shoes

A number of different organizations, including Nike, accept used sneakers for recycling and reuse.

RESIST

Resist, and make your voice heard! Resistance is an act of speaking to the powers-that be of the world to fight for change on a large-scale level.

How to Make the Most Impact (Without Changing A Thing About Your Lifestyle)

In the U.S., a majority of registered voters now say climate change is an emergency. We know that personal responsibility and consumer decisions are important parts of addressing climate change. We certainly shouldn't stop bringing reusable bags to the grocery store, driving less, recycling, and changing to energy-efficient lightbulbs. But the problem is much larger than that. To make the greatest impact, we have to hold larger institutions and corporations accountable because they have the largest carbon footprints.

Just like we have the ability to do our part in our homes,we have the ability to make an impact on the largest scale by voting at the polls and with our dollar to support the politicians and businesses that are making strides to protect our planet. The smaller, personal lifestyle changes — although important — don’t always equate to social change. If every American chose to live a zero waste lifestyle, it would be a massive feat, but some estimates show that if every American did everything they could to reduce their carbon footprint,it would only reduce U.S. gross emissions by about 22 percent. There would be far more work to do to get corporations and governments to behave just as fervently to care for the environment.

Instead of blaming individuals for their environmental responsibility,our efforts would be better spent engaging politicians and corporations, the people who wield substantial power (and also create substantial waste and do substantial harm). The answer is activism. Call your representatives,petition companies, and participate in rallies and demonstrations.It works. It matters.

Good News In History: Nearly 50 Years Ago, The First Earth Day Kicked Off the American Environmental Movement

In the spring of 1970, millions of people across the U.S. participated in demonstrations to mark the first Earth Day.Little did they know the impact they would have. It was the birth of the modern environmental movement. The first-everEarth Day gave a platform to a growing group of environmental activists and the emerging public consciousness about the state of our planet. In the years leading up to the ’70s, gasoline had lead in it. The EPA did not yet exist. Air pollution was commonly accepted.

But on April 22, 1970, the emerging group of activists took the stage to fight for environmental concerns.

Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson came up with the idea for a national day to focus on the environment after Nelson,a Senator from Wisconsin, witnessed the destruction from a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara in 1969. He knew that if he could merge the energy of the anti-war movement with growing passions for environmental protection, he could bring these concerns to the political forefront.

On that day, 20 million Americans took to the streets coast-to-coast to demonstrate for sustainability. Thousands of colleges and universities organized protests against the deterioration of the environment. The first Earth Day led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts.

We can draw upon the excitement and energy from the very first Earth Day as we celebrate its 50th anniversary this year. The fight for the environment continues with increasing urgency. We celebrate and remember the activists from Earth Day in 1970 through our everyday activism by demanding of ourselves and others action on the individual and political level. The same cultural movement that occurred in 1970 is rising up again today — this time armed with global reach through social media, to unite us under the common goal of provoking meaningful change.