We all learned about the phrase “reduce, reuse, recycle” when we were in school. However, there is now a more holistic approach to reducing waste which includes the 5 R’s – refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, and rot. If you can incorporate all five of these concepts into the way you handle all of the ‘stuff’ in your life, you could be well on your way to creating a more eco-friendly world.
Refusing items that will end up in landfill is a great way to make sure they never end up in your home in the first place. It takes time to be able to refuse many items, but you can start by refusing single-use plastics or making sure to take reusable bags to the grocery store.
The last “R” is rot, and it refers to composting. If you have the ability to compost, it is definitely worth your time to do so. It is impossible for food to break down in landfill, which is a huge problem for the environment.
Sean O’Grady is a Family Medicine Specialist who advocates for health, fitness, and green initiatives. He believes that taking care of the planet leads to better health outcomes.
Leave a Reply