Save Green By Living Green (part 1 of 2)
...Look for part 2 of this article to be published September 5th
Zero Waste Initiatives aim to create a more sustainable society by viewing “waste” as a resource that creates jobs and stimulates the economy. It is also one of the fastest, cheapest and most effective strategies for combating climate change. Did you know that as much as 82% of the materials in landfills are recyclable, reusable or compostable? Imagine if we found a way to help everyone in every community reduce that number to next to nothing! It would save cities millions of dollars in landfill related costs and create thousands of new jobs.
The most common R’s in Zero Waste, in the order they should be implemented are: Rent, Repair, Repurpose, Refuse, Reconsider, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rot.
So in this 2-part article, let’s take a brief look at each of these and discover just how much impact it has on our own budget and the costs involved in waste management.
Rent rather than purchasing an item that you only need occasionally, is a wise financial decision and it eliminates all the packaging and fossil fuels associated with purchasing a new item. There is no extra storage space or maintenance involved in renting. Rental businesses, especially in larger cities, offer everything from moving supplies, baby and toddler items, household and office furniture, computers and every tool and machine imaginable.
Repair, instead of purchasing a new item, offers similar benefits to renting. Everything from shoes to lawnmowers and furniture has repair potential. The trick is finding the people who can do this for you, or acquiring the skills yourself via an online video.
When a new item is required we can be a little more discerning while shopping. We can Refuse to accept manufacturing standards by expressing our concerns, or praises for their efforts, directly to the company listed on the packaging. We might Reconsider the product we were about to buy, choosing the one that has a lighter environmental footprint or visiting a store that sells used items instead.
We can Reduce how much we purchase by Reconsidering just how much we really need or if we really need that item. We might choose to shop in the bulk section where we can purchase smaller amounts that we will use up before it expires and avoid excess packaging. We might prefer some items in larger volume because it saves money and reducing packaging. By choosing washable coffee cups, reusable shopping bags and refillable water bottles, we not only reduce waste, but also save money because we are no longer purchasing individual items at a higher cost.
Taking on the R’s has a real and measurable positive impact, when people realize this they often find themselves seeking out new opportunities to have a greater impact. If this is you, please visit our website where you can find our blog, archived radio episodes and books that will help you on this exciting journey. http://BrummetMedia.ca
Rent rather than purchasing an item that you only need occasionally, is a wise financial decision and it eliminates all the packaging and fossil fuels associated with purchasing a new item. There is no extra storage space or maintenance involved in renting. Rental businesses, especially in larger cities, offer everything from moving supplies, baby and toddler items, household and office furniture, computers and every tool and machine imaginable.
Repair, instead of purchasing a new item, offers similar benefits to renting. Everything from shoes to lawnmowers and furniture has repair potential. The trick is finding the people who can do this for you, or acquiring the skills yourself via an online video.
When a new item is required we can be a little more discerning while shopping. We can Refuse to accept manufacturing standards by expressing our concerns, or praises for their efforts, directly to the company listed on the packaging. We might Reconsider the product we were about to buy, choosing the one that has a lighter environmental footprint or visiting a store that sells used items instead.
We can Reduce how much we purchase by Reconsidering just how much we really need or if we really need that item. We might choose to shop in the bulk section where we can purchase smaller amounts that we will use up before it expires and avoid excess packaging. We might prefer some items in larger volume because it saves money and reducing packaging. By choosing washable coffee cups, reusable shopping bags and refillable water bottles, we not only reduce waste, but also save money because we are no longer purchasing individual items at a higher cost.
Taking on the R’s has a real and measurable positive impact, when people realize this they often find themselves seeking out new opportunities to have a greater impact. If this is you, please visit our website where you can find our blog, archived radio episodes and books that will help you on this exciting journey. http://BrummetMedia.ca
...Look for part 2 of this article to be published September 5th
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