1. Need for reducing, reusing and recycling waste
Universal problem
Especially in developing countries
Search for sustainable ways
To practice 3 R’s

2. The need for the 3 R’s- Reduce
Waste generation is human activity
So its obvious that we find ways to reduce waste
Replace plastic bags with cloth or paper bags
Awareness for judicious use of products
Purchase items which wont harm the environment
Use eco-friendly and biodegradable products
Convert household waste into compost
Reuse goods as far as possible
Throw waste in proper places

3. Reuse Change appearance little like
Old pieces of cloth- dolls, cushion covers, doormats etc
New notebooks from unused pages of old notebooks
Reuse old tyres, tin can, glass bottles
Handicrafts from waste materials
Flyash from cement plant-
cement substitute
Making of roads, filling up low lying areas
Making bricks

4. Recycle
Processing waste into raw material used for further conversion into useful materials
Material can be from any kind of source
Waste must be segregated
Beneficial only if the cost of reprocessing is obtained by its demand

5. Advantages of recycling
Conserve natural resources
Reduce pollution
Examples-
Recycling centres- wastes are sorted and sent to manufacturers- usable materials
Specialised recycling centres- for glass, metal cans, paper, rubber tyres etc.

6. Government Initiatives
Both central & state government responsible
Ministry of Environment and Forest
Generate environmental awareness
Implement schemes
Making and implementing laws
Design environment friendly technologies for treatment, processing and recycling of waste
Take steps to ensure that people strictly follow rules and regulations

7. Steps required by governments to ensure
Not building large dams
Submergence of low lands and displaces people
Check degradation of land and water
Wasteland management
Restoration of water water programmes
Decleration of reserved forests and biosphere reserves
Make laws and initiate penal measures

8. Actions undertaken by government
CNG in cities
National Waste Management Council 1990
High-powered committee under planning commission in 1995
Encourage residents to segregate waste at home
Primary collection of waste
Encourage composting besides landfills
Provide closed waste vans
Rules and inspection authorities for hazardous wastes

9. Social Initiatives Various organizations- NGO’s Focus should be on
Judicious use of resources and products
Electricity and water
Organize activities
Exhibitions, public meetings, rallies
Buying only when required
Use services of rag pickers for segregating waste, convert organic waste to manure

10. Individual Initiatives
Recycle organic waste by making composting pits
Safe disposal of batteries, mobiles, other e-waste
Minimize usage of chemical detergents, cleaners.
Use organic substitutes
Reuse paper envelopes, notebooks, plastic bags, cards, glass etc
Buying recycled products, rechargeable batteries
Develop awareness- stop using polybags, styrofoam etc.
Conserve energy and invest in energy efficient homes