What are the 5R’s?
Someone recently asked us, what other steps can we take to be more sustainable? Let's get started by looking at the 5R's! The 5R's are an expanded look at the 3R's: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Like the 3R's, the 5R's give us a guideline to Earth-friendly practices in order of their importance! Let's look at some examples:
1) Refuse: preventing waste often starts at the moment it enters your life. Refuse, or say "no," to unwanted or unneeded items to reduce your footprint.
2) Reduce: reducing your consumption of firsthand goods when you can't refuse them is essential! Look for items at local thrift stores or your local Buy Nothing Facebook group. Buying goods secondhand diverts waste from landfills and prevents resource extraction to make "virgin" goods.
3) Reuse: avoid single use items wherever possible! With holidays approaching, it is important to remember that single use silverware, plates, napkins, and paper towels cannot be recycled.
4) RECYCLE! At the WWRA, we recognize the importance of recovering materials like plastic, paper, glass and metals to create a circular economy. Recycling reduces pollution, prevents further resource extraction, and diverts waste from landfills. Scan the QR code to find out what is and isn't recyclable.
5) Rot: organic materials are unrecyclable and must be correctly composted! Composting reduces harmful methane gas and diverts waste from landfills. Use your household compost for backyard gardening or find a local farmer who can utilize your nutrient dense soil.
...and MORE! What other sustainable R's can you incorporate this season?