3 R's; REUSE,REDUCE,RECYCLE
What are the 3'R's?
The 3 ‘R’s stand for RECYCLE, REUSE, REDUCE, which helps to cut down on the waste produced, as landfills are not that efficient anymore. The first ‘R’, recycling, is the method of changing unwanted or old materials into new products. The second ‘R’, reducing is the method of cutting down on the products or materials used if they are unnecessary and not needed. The third ‘R’, reusing is the method of using the same item again, either for the same function or for another.
Why practice the 3 ‘R’s?
Why should we practice the 3 ‘R’s? This is because of the fact that they bring many benefits, like helping to produce less waste. Besides, they can also prevent pollution. By reducing waste, we can cut down on the possibility of contamination. Practicing the 3 ‘R’s prevent depletion of sources. If we do not practice it, new materials will be needed to produce the new products. The most important reason is a lot of money will be saved. This is because money is needed for disposing the waste to stop pollution. If these problems are overcome, a lot of money can be saved.
Nowadays, recycling is something that is very common in most countries including Malaysia. The method of using something that is old and unwanted to change them into brand new products is called recycling. Recycling is a lot better than using raw materials like glass bottle to create new products, as there are many benefits. Recycling needs far less energy than creating a new product.
Normally, those materials that can be recycled will be gathered and washed. In addition, the items will be separated accordingly to what materials they are made of before placing them into the recycle bins. The bins are normally sorted into materials, such as paper, plastic, aluminium. These bins are convenient as they are available almost everywhere. The bins are even provided in some schools including our school! This is to encourage the students to recycle.
What can be recycled?
The materials that can be recycled are glasses, paper, plastic, and metal (Aluminium and steel).
Glass: Glass can be recycled. Normally, glass bottles that are used for containing beverages are recyclable, as long as they are clear or green but there are also some of the glasses are not recyclable, like the glass from the windows, mirror glasses, the glass from the light bulb and crystals. If you put them into the bin, they may ruin the furnace during the recycling process.
Paper: Do you know that paper takes up the most space in landfill sites? So, we should recycle them. Normally, all kind of paper can be recycled. Examples are newspaper, office paper, phone book, magazines and books.
Aluminium: It is a recyclable metal. The most common type of aluminium that all of us can recycle is aluminium can. Other kinds of aluminium can also be recycled. After recycling, it will again be made into cans.
Plastic: There are many types of plastic can be recycled again to form new products such as detergent containers and normal plastic bottles. However, some types of plastic are non-recyclable.
Tip 1: Gather unwanted items that can be recycled (E.g. Newspapers, Plastic bottles, aluminium cans) instead of throwing them away. Rinse the bottles. Separate these items into sections like paper, aluminium, and plastic. You can give these recyclable items to the collectors.
Tip 2: When you are shopping, buy recycled and environmental-friendly products rather than non-recycled ones.
Tip 3: There are many schools that held recycling activities for students. Take part in the activities and learn more about the advantage of recycling.
Tip 4: If your school does not have a recycling project, recommend the idea to your teacher and set up a recycling corner where bins will be set up to collect recyclables items.
Tip 5: Try to advise people to recycle rather than dumping those potential objects into the trash.
At our school, Tunku Kurshiah College, we also practice recycle. We recycle bottles, cans, newspapers and others. When the bins are full, the bins will be taken to the recycle centre in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan.
Reusing is the method of using the same thing over and over again, for another different purpose. For example, you have a shirt that is already torn, and you reuse it as a rag for cleaning tables. Reusing can avoid or slow down the process of a product being turned into waste. Also, it can reduce the number of new products being bought.
If you help and take part in reusing, you are not only helping the environment, you are also helping yourself. If you reuse certain items, you do not have to buy another one. Thus, you save money!
Tip 1: Use plastic bags that are given when you are shopping to collect all the garbage. This way, you do not need to purchase a new garbage bag, and will help to generate less waste.
Tip 2: Use old cloths that you do not want or are torn as rags for cleaning purposes. Thus, these old clothings will be put into good use.
Tip 3: Give away your old books and toys to your friends or relatives.
Tip 4: Turn your old and unwanted clothing that are still wearable into hand- me- down.
Tip 5: Sell your old and used things to second- hand shops. You will also earn money.
What is the meaning of reducing? It is the method of cutting down on the amount of waste produced. We reduce when something is unnecessary, can be avoided and is not a need at all.
Many of us practice reducing every day without even knowing it. Even writing on both sides of a piece of paper is reducing. Buying refillable things can also be considered reducing.
Reducing is the most effective way of all the 3 ‘R’s (The best method is reducing, followed by reusing and finally recycling.), which is to stop and prevent waste from being created in the first place.
Tip 1: Plan what you want to buy first before going shopping so that you will not buy things that are not needed. This way, you will reduce the items purchased.
Tip 2: Buy items that are durable.
Tip 3: Instead of packing food in disposable (plastic) containers, pack them in containers that can be used again.
Tip 4: When printing your homework or other document, remember to print on both sides of the paper. This helps to cut down the paper needed. A large percentage of waste is made up of paper.
Tip 5: Instead of printing copies of a document for everyone, just put a copy of it on the notice board or instead, send a copy of the document on the internet by email to everyone.
In conclusion, let us all practise the 3 ‘R’s! You just have to put in some effort to help save the Earth.