5 R's For A Cleaner Environment

For every item, we use in our homes, schools, businesses, or any other place we have our daily interaction there is an environmental impact. This impact can either be positive or negative. A negative impact on the environment leads to a steady degradation of life in one way or the other as we may have observed over the last couple of decades. We can make a difference in our environment just by doing some small activities like using organics, collecting cardboard, plastic, glass, etc. You will be shocked by the amount of waste generated over the last decade. There is a need for us to control our waste and take conscious steps in combating climate change.

At Pistolatum, we have listed out 5 rules to keeping a cleaner environment known as the 5 R's we can practice as a way to maintain zero waste practice and here they are:

REFUSE

The use of disposable cups or plastic bottles has created the culture of using these disposable items once only. In most parts of the globe where waste management is a serious issue, the use of plastics materials has become an environmental crisis. We can actually avoid the use of these single-use paper or plastic cups. A better option for these one-use disposable cups is reusable ones. We can follow these examples as a way of refusing to contribute to waste in our environment:

• Go shopping with a reusable bag and not disposable plastic.

• Don't go for pre-packaged items from the supermarket.

• Use water bottles and not one-time-use plastic bottles.

• If you don't need a straw at a restaurant/eatery alike then return it.

REDUCE

Evaluate your lifestyle and be more mindful of what you need. Review and reduce your consumption so you can save resources as you purchase mindfully. With this, you will be able to reduce waste and buy products that will last you longer. The following examples demonstrate how we can reduce our waste:

• Go for multifunctional products.

• Don't waste food, take leftovers from dinner to lunch.

• Plant your vegetables and support local farmers.

• Make your home cleaning products.

• Swap product for another instead of throwing away.

REUSE

Instead of throwing items away, find a way to reuse them. You don't know how one bad multifunctional item may turn into an awesome specialized item. It will surprise you how the item you repaired will become a sophisticated tool for your home needs. Here are some common examples of how you can reuse your items for a healthier environment:

• Use rechargeable batteries and not a single-use battery.

• Use reusable cloths, bags, containers, etc., and not a disposable ones.

• Repair your home appliances if they get worse and not just throw them away.

ROT

Bad food can be turned into good manure. You can set up your own compost system or go to a food scrap center which is usually found on farms to drop off your food waste. You can set up a worm farm or a backyard compost as a measure to keeping a clean environment.

RECYCLE

Recycling is very important and can not be over-emphasized. You can properly recycle glass, plastic, paper, or even metal you think have no use. You can search through your local directory or look up online to get a recycling company that will take care of this for you.