Page 93 - Ai_V1.0_Class9
P. 93
Saving Environment using 5R’s
With the rising population all over the world, we are constantly in the process of production and consumption of
natural and man-made resources. This has led to generation of waste products of different types. The organic waste is
decomposed on its own but the inorganic waste like plastic does not decompose naturally and accumulates for years.
The modern waste management techniques
using 5R’s—Repurpose, Reduce, Reuse,
Recycle and Refuse will definitely help in
managing our waste sensibly, so that there
is less damage to our environment. REPURPOSE REDUCE REUSE RECYCLE REFUSE
Let us study what we need to do to follow 5R's in our daily practice of waste management:
• Repurpose: It refers to finding a new use or function for something that was originally intended for a different
purpose. It's about creatively finding ways to extend the lifecycle of an item rather than disposing of it.
Transforming old clothing into cleaning rags.
¬
Using glass bottles as decorative vases.
¬
Repurposing wooden pallets into furniture.
¬
Turning old furniture into garden planters or using glass jars as storage containers.
¬
• Reduce: By reducing waste, we reduce the use of resources, so that there are less efforts for waste management.
Avoid printing non-essential documents. If needed, print on both sides of the page.
¬
If something has to be bought in large quantities, then buy in bulk altogether to reduce packaging and
¬
transportation.
Buy products that can do more than one thing and reusable items rather than disposable ones.
¬
Carry your own reusable shopping bags to avoid using plastic bags.
¬
Reduce the use of single-use plastics, plastic packaging, and styrofoam cups.
¬
• Reuse: Reuse of the products will save the cost of making disposable products. This will help in saving more
money which will work in favour of the country’s economy and ultimately less of waste to manage.
Second-hand stores should be opened in various locations, so that people can send their things like clothes,
¬
toys, utensils and other products which are of no use for them and others in need can reuse them.
Give unwanted toys and books to NGOs and people in need.
¬
Use reusable packaging material for food and other items.
¬
• Recycle: Recycle is the most eco-friendly method of waste disposal. In this process, the waste material is
reproduced to create another product which can be used for some other purposes.
People should be encouraged to buy products that are made from recycled materials.
¬
Automobiles' parts, cans, construction material, etc. are all made of metals that can be recycled.
¬
Any plastic bottle or container for food storage must be recycled.
¬
• Refuse: In an environmental context, "refuse" means to actively choose not to use or accept something, especially
items that are wasteful or harmful to the environment.
Refusing single-use plastic bags by using reusable cloth bags instead, or refusing to buy products with
¬
excessive packaging.
Refusing single-use plastics like straws and bags.
¬
Avoiding products with excessive packaging.
¬
Saying no to disposable utensils and opting for reusable ones.
¬
Green Skills-I 91

