Reduce, reuse, recycle (also known as R3) is a widely accepted waste management method designed to reduce the total use of environmental resources and lessen humans' carbon footprint on earth.
Reducing involves limiting purchases and accummulation; consequently reducing the amount of waste produced. Reduction strategies include buying used products; avoiding disposable products; renting or borrowing in place of new purchases; and phasing print mail out of your life.
Reusing products makes both environmental and economical sense. Reusing strategies include buying used goods, reusing products such as bags for the same purpose, repairing broken products instead of buying new ones and borrowing or sharing infrequently used items such as decorations.
Recycling refers to processing, treating or converting an object into reusable materials. Commercial products made from recyclable or recycled materials almost always contain a symbol on their packaging. Buy these products instead of conventional ones. You can also practice recycling by collecting recyclable materials such as old electronics in your house and dropping them off at a collection center. (Photo: Shutterstock)
Why we need to be smarter about recycling
October 4, 2018, 4:06 p.m. by Guest Columnist
There are several steps each of us can take to create a more effective recycling system.
6 things you should refill instead of tossing
September 29, 2018, 9:07 a.m. by Robin Shreeves
You can reduce the amount of waste you create without much effort.
World's first recycled plastic bike path opens in the Netherlands
September 21, 2018, 10:21 a.m. by Matt Hickman
This path in Zwolle is paved with the equivalent of a half-million plastic bottle caps.
The clothes you donate don't always end up on people's backs
September 8, 2018, 10:14 a.m. by Cory Rosenberg
A large portion of the clothing you donate ends up in the landfill. Here's why — and what you can do about it.
Britain gets serious about curbing plastic waste
August 31, 2018, 12:40 p.m. by Matt Hickman
From Buckingham Palace to the BBC, Brit institutions are putting the kibosh on single-use plastic.
Is the ketchup packet the new straw?
August 2, 2018, 3:41 p.m. by Robin Shreeves
How much of a difference can small changes, like recyclable ketchup packets, make?
Why the world should look to Norway when it comes to plastic bottle recycling
July 19, 2018, 10:18 a.m. by Matt Hickman
The deposit-based Norwegian approach to bottle recycling is an attractive, effective one.
Now that China doesn't want it, our plastic is piling up
July 12, 2018, 8:15 a.m. by Matt Hickman
Waste-exporting countries are being forced to get creative — and that includes the U.S.
12 things you should never compost
May 31, 2018, 12:46 p.m. by Chris Baskind
Though composting is great for your garden, there are some man-made and natural items that can ruin the whole pile.
23 things that aren't recyclable
May 31, 2018, 11:48 a.m. by Chris Baskind
You may want to think twice before throwing your yogurt cup in the recycling bin.
The amazing afterlife of old British phone boxes
May 29, 2018, 8:31 a.m. by Matt Hickman
Yesterday's grungy payphone is today's tiny espresso stand.
5 useful products made from ocean plastic
May 9, 2018, 10:31 a.m. by Robin Shreeves
Innovators are taking marine trash and turning it into treasure.
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Your 2018 fall foliage guide
Now you know the best time to be a 'leaf peeper' in any part of the U.S.
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Why do leaves change color in autumn?
Learn about the natural mechanisms that produce breathtaking fall foliage each year.
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Test your fall knowledge
The days are getting shorter and pumpkin spice seems to be everywhere: It must be fall.
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10 best places outside the U.S. for fall color
These places around the world that equal U.S. locales when it comes to colorful scenery.
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5 classic fall recipes
Roasted veggies and soups of all kinds are what we're talking about.
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