You may have heard of the 3 R’s (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle), but we’ll also be talking about the little-known fourth R: Refuse! Employing these 4 R’s can span a wide range of individual actions. The actions below are by no means the end, rather they are just the beginning of consumptive choices you can make to reduce your environmental impact!
Why Change Your Habits?
Why Reduce?
Increased production always equals increased greenhouse gas emissions, no matter the product. Reducing your individual consumption benefits the environment as there are less manufactured products on Earth. Therefore, less natural resources are used and greenhouse gases emitted. Learn more about the greenhouse effect and its positive effect on the planet, but how our actions are causing excessive heating here.
Why Reuse?
Generally, reusable products eliminate your usage of single-use products that can be costly to the environment in their production and degradation in landfills. The production and degradation of materials cause an increase in greenhouse gas emissions. Reusing also saves resources in other ways by reducing your consumption of resources like water and electricity directly in your home, which will benefit you by driving down your utility bills. There are hundreds of ways to reuse in your home, so get creative!
Why Recycle?
If you are consuming plastic, metals, etc. they will be much more valuable if recycled rather than thrown in a landfill to degrade. Recycling limits what new materials have to be created, therefore reducing emissions into the atmosphere. It also can reduce the decomposition of electronics and plastics in landfills. This is a harmful process that leaches detrimental chemicals into the soil which harm the surrounding ecosystems, including plant life, animals, and water. Find a company that recycles old electronics here.
Why Refuse?
Refusing to consume can be one of the most powerful benefits to your carbon footprint, particularly when you consider the environmental costs of producing, processing, and shipping some of the global products we buy in the age of Amazon.com. Large corporations are the main emitters of greenhouse gases and are causing great detriment to the environment. Sacrificing some online shopping sprees and doing research about where you put your personal resources towards can drive your carbon costs dramatically downward. Putting money towards local businesses helps protect the environment and your local economy.
How Do I Start?
Ways to Reduce:
- Print papers double-sided
- Wrap gifts during the holiday season in newspaper rather than buying and tossing wrapping paper
- Cancel unnecessary mail or switch to electronic services to reduce the amount of paper sent to your home
- Buy foods in bulk using reusable containers to reduce plastic packaging
- Learn to repair things like clothing, furniture, etc. instead of discarding it when it breaks
- Use up items you already have before buying new ones–wait until toothpaste, lotion, food, etc. actually runs out before you go to the store to get more
Ways to Reuse:
- Purchase clothing and other household items from thrift stores, clothing swaps, craigslist, or facebook marketplace. There are still very high-quality used products out there, and it’ll save a lot of money, too!
- Take reusable bags to the grocery store
- Reuse plastic bags as garbage can liners
- Buy reusable containers to store food instead of Ziploc bags
- Use dish towels or reusable cloth napkins instead of disposable paper towels
- Buy a reusable water bottle rather than disposable water bottles
- Use a reusable coffee mug or even straws
- Reuse towels or wear clothes more than once before washing to reduce water consumption
- Use reusable beeswax wrap rather than plastic wrap
- For those who menstruate, consider using menstruation cups or other reusable products to cut down on waste
Ways to Recycle:
- Recycle old electronics like laptops and phones. Click here for a comprehensive guide to recycling electronics.
- Buy rechargeable batteries
- Rinse out and recycle your plastic or glass bottles
- Break down cardboard boxes and recycle them
- Recycle used motor oil to avoid freshwater supply contamination and save oil production
- Send old clothes to donation centers, thrift stores, or clothing swaps
Ways to Refuse:
- Around the holidays, opt for fewer material gifts for your family members (yoga classes, vacations, concert tickets, charity donations)
- Minimize your wardrobe by only purchasing long-lasting items that work with multiple outfits
- When buying any item, ask yourself how long you will use it and how it will affect your life. Do you really need another t-shirt? Does your child really need another plastic toy?
- You can reduce impulsive and unnecessary purchases by simply delaying the purchase until later. If you can survive another week without the item, then maybe you don’t need it at all.
Share Your Story
One of the most important things you can do to fight climate change is also one of the simplest: talk about it! Research shows that discussing the climate crisis with family and friends reinforces that the problem is real and the science unequivocal. Yet, nearly two-thirds of Americans say they rarely or never have those conversations. Share with your friends, family, and other community members about how you are changing your consumption habits to reduce, reuse, recycle, and refuse and the great benefits of it!
Let us know how you plan to make more sustainable life choices. Tell us what changes you will be making in the name of sustainability. Use the power of social media and personal conversation to share your progress and get others involved!
Sample Social Media Posts:
- “I just pledged to start living more sustainably by buying foods in bulk using the #HEREforClimate Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Refuse Toolkit! Check it out and learn how you can make more sustainable choices, conserve resources, and save money! [URL Link]”
- “We all have a personal responsibility to combat the global climate crisis and live more sustainably. Learn how you can take a personal action with the #HEREforClimate Composting Toolkit!”
- “The #HEREforClimate Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Refuse Toolkit made it easy to start making more sustainable choices in my daily life. I just pledged to only buy clothes second-hand and use reusable bags at the grocery store. Find out what else you can do with the #HEREforClimate toolkit!”
Additional Resources
Looking for ways to reduce in your school or office building? The EPA has set up a guide for you to help follow the 4Rs in your commercial building. You can find those guidelines and tips here.
Not convinced that you will make a difference? Check out this article.
Looking for more? Find a full list of resources regarding climate action and sustainability here.