Save Green By Living Green
See part 1 of this article, HERE
...con't...
We
can Reduce how much we buy beyond the
first 4 R’s listed above by considering just how much we really need. For
instance, we might purchase an item in smaller amounts in the bulk section, or
in larger family sizes and save money at the same time. By incorporating small
changes like reduce waste like reusable, refillable refreshment cups and
bottles we not only reduce waste, but also save a lot of money because we are
no longer purchasing items at a higher cost, and we save money in related waste
collection services as well.
Reuse is a wonderful way to extend the budget
– reusing containers, bags, boxes and so on, instead of purchasing those items
new every time. Repurpose is similar
except that we alter the item for reuse. A good example here is cutting a
yogurt container into strips, making one end pointed, and using them as plant
tags. You can make 8-10 of these from one container in just a couple minutes,
and now you don’t have to go shopping for that item. There are many places you
can take your “waste” that will see it as a resource – groups or classes
involving the arts, children, sewing and more – helping them extend their
budget and support their programs.
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Recycle has 3 meanings really. 1: Utilizing
resource recovery programs such as returnable containers, recycling program,
return and collection sites for things like oil, paint and batteries, etc. 2: Releasing
your unwanted items back into the community via donation, thrift stores, consignment
shops, reuse centers and garage and estate sales. 3: Shopping at the used
stores, visiting reuse sites, etc. So
instead of spending $35 on a new can of paint, you can visit a paint collection
site and pick up just the amount of paint you need for the project – for free,
usually.
And that
brings us to Rot. Composting keeps
organics out of the landfill, preventing leachates and toxic gasses that are
actually more damaging to the environment than carbon dioxide. It produces a natural
fertilizer that you can use on your lawn, trees or shrubs, in the garden and
landscape beds, in your potted plants, etc. and that means pesticide, herbicide
and fungicide use will be reduced because you have healthier plants.
Additionally the soil will be able to retain water, meaning you’ll have less
work to do and you’ll use less water as well.
Incorporating
these activities is kind of like clipping coupons in a way; we save anywhere
from a few cents to a few dollars with each action. At the same time we extend
the life of that item, using it one more or a dozen more times before it enters
the recycling system.
I
hope you have enjoyed this introduction to the many R’s involved in Zero Waste
and are inspired by how much money you can save, help create a healthier
environment, support charitable causes, and stimulate the economy in your own
community.
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