5 Rs: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repurpose
Problem?
Refuse Refuse things you don’t really need Refuse one-time-use plastics (grocery bags, water bottles) Refuse products with multiple layers of packaging Show companies what you value by purchasing carefully Organic Sustainable packaging Sustainable business practices
Reduce Select electronic versions where possible (coupons, newspapers) Reduce energy usage Reduce purchases of products in non-recycled packaging Consider: do I really need this? Will I use this frequently? For example, do I really need 3 pairs of sunglasses, or can I get by with one?
Reuse Select reusable versions of one-time use products (water bottles, travel mugs, lunch containers) Reuse plastic or glass containers that originally contained food or other products. Donate unwanted items to a charity, thrift store, relative for someone else to use
Repurpose Upcycle projects (think Pinterest!) Turn old clothes into cleaning rags, patches Decorate amazon boxes or empty oatmeal containers to use as gift packaging
Recycle Recycle the usual suspects Recycle electronics
Refuse first, Recycle last Recycling is great, but it is far better to not generate the waste in the first place
How can we get kids engaged with the 5 Rs? Cost analysis: reusable water bottle vs. plastic water bottles (1 per day)
The Majestic Plastic Bag http://www.zerowastecowichan.ca/videos/majestic-plastic-bag-mockumentary
Earth Day: Expression Contest My idea (TOTALLY up for negotiation, fresh ideas more than welcome!) Ask students to use a means of expression to show a change they can make in their lives to refuse (focus on this one in specific), reduce, reuse, repurpose, and recycle (encourage students to avoid this one, they have done it over and over already)
Some resources http://thegreeningofwestford.com/2014/04/5-rs-refuse-reduce-reuse- repurpose-recycle.html http://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/publication/Sustainability_Recyc ling_2012-01pr.pdf