Why 7 R'S of Sustainability?
Photo by Nareeta Martin on Unsplash
Why are there more than the usual 3 R’S of Sustainability: REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE?
We recognized there are more than 3 and so we added RETHINK, REFUSE, ROT and REPAIR to increase options to the throw-it-away mentality. Every time you use one of the 7 R'S, you make a BIG difference, reducing your impact on our environment.
Use The 7 R's of Sustainability
for more sustainable choices,
to guide your sustainable choices and
to breakout of being fearful and overwhelmed into empowerment.
RETHINK
Consider your consumption habits before purchasing and make wise informed choices. Rethink ownership.
Ask: Do I really need this? Do I already have it? Can I borrow it? Can I get it locally and from sustainable sources?
Act: Choose to open your mind to new ways of purchasing, be a citizen not a consumer, get rid of the take-make-waste mentality. Before purchasing a product, investigate options to purchase it as a service; office printers is an example.
REFUSE
Consider ways to respect and protect Mother Earth's resources. Find ways to NOT waste, purchase goods choices that do not generate waste. Just say no to single-use plastic. non-recyclable packaging.
Ask: Does this product have the quality I need? Is it well made? Is it beautiful enough to please for a long time? Does it match my company’s ethics? Are there chemicals involved? Does it use too much packaging?
Act: Choose to not generate waste. Buy products you cherish. Buy higher quality and make it last. For example, get one good shirt instead of four; this way you can pay four times the amount.
REDUCE
Consider Instead of planning to just recycle, choose to reduce your consumption. Make decisions that decrease waste. the resources used to manufacture, package, transport and dispose of products.
Ask: How can I use less paper? Are there ways to reduce my power usage? Are there leaky water faucets to fix?
Act: Buy less stuff. Reduce use of car. Reduce consumption.
REUSE
Consider things we have acquired AND no longer use - could be household or kitchen items or clothing. Find ways to reuse them and give them a new life.
Ask: Does this item still have life in it? Can this resource (paper, water, product, material) be reused?
Act: Make choice to expand the shelf-lives of products. Make a rag or dish cloth out of an old t-shirt. Give your stuff away to friends or a place that upcycles, donate reusable items to thrift shops or to SCRAP.
REPAIR
Consider repairing broken, torn or worn products before buying new. Before purchasing a product, investigate options to purchase it as a service; office printers is an example.
Ask: When purchasing, ask is this product easily repaired? Is it durable?
Act: Fix ripped clothing, broken toys and office equipment.
ROT
Consider composting puts nutrients back in the soil and avoids exuding methane in landfills.
Ask: Is this compostable? Can I eat kitchen scraps or collect them for soup stock?
Act: Cook food scraps such as carrot, radish and beet greens for soup stock. Reduce food waste.
RECYCLE
Consider: Only as a last resort consider recycling.
Ask: Can I find a place that will recycle this?
Act: Do "dumpster-dive" in your landfill/black bin to find items to be recycled.
ACT NOW!
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