In my last column, we looked at a simple yet effective approach to embracing green habits and a sustainable lifestyle when you are unsure of where to start and are overwhelmed by the information around you.
Embracing the 5Rs (invented by Bea Johnson in the 2013 book ‘Zero Waste Home’) by Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rot, along with two additional Rs of your choice, Research & Relearn, is a great way to get started on.
In this column we will focus on recycling. On my own journey of embracing greener habits, recycling has helped me tremendously in reducing my consumption of unnecessary materials as well as waste generation. So let’s look at some ‘why’ and ‘how’ to integrate recycling as a habit.
Recycling is not a new trend, but something our grandparents and parents have practiced as part of their culture or love of nature, or financially speaking. But somewhere in the midst of thriving consumerism and ‘disposable and throwaway’ culture, many of us have distanced ourselves from it.
Learning old habits again
It’s time to embrace ‘recycling’ better, so here are just a few examples of how we can change our habits and make a difference.
Quality over quantity – I was someone who loved to buy dozens of items from fast fashion stores on sale. They gave me the instant satisfaction of having lots of new items at a reduced price. But they would tear or get old so fast that I would end up buying new ones sooner. Today I have learned to invest in instead of fewer goods with a better quality and durability. And when you get tired of it, be sure to pass it on or give it to a thrift store.
Learn to repair and maintain – Somewhere along the line, consumerism has made us get used to throwing things out as soon as there is a minor defect. Let’s re-learn how to repair things like sewing up torn clothes and repairing small defects. Also, just learning to maintain things can extend their lifespan. Sometimes it’s as simple as reading the washing instructions on the label of your clothes.
Get creative – Find out how you can reuse / reuse / upcycle something when it is not suitable for the purpose. If you are unsure, there are tons of creative people out there who share their knowledge on the internet. It’s just a Google search away.
Impact we create
Do not forget: when we recycle, there are two ways we make a big contribution!
Reducing the use of new resources – to produce any new product, resources (from nature) are used and energy is used during their production. We have exposed many natural resources, which were once considered sustainable, to extreme coercion in these times of increased prosperity and over-consumption.
Reduction of waste production – by choosing to recycle, we decide not to create waste. Remember – as long as we recycle and extend its life, the item is not a waste. Waste management is a major problem around the world – especially in overcrowded areas where existing systems are inefficient.
So let’s go back to the basics and relearn how we used to live in simpler times.
Check out @greenbyhabit on Instagram for short videos and fun scrolls that discuss these topics in detail.
Different ways to recycle
Recycling of packaging – Do you, like me, love to recycle sauce bottles for pantry storage? Store! Although the packaging is recyclable, recycling is the best choice as recycling tends to use a lot of resources.
Repetitive outfits – do we really need a new outfit for that party? Let us all be proud outfit repeaters.
Recycling – Get creative and give the discarded box a new life as a storage solution. Maybe decorate and transform them.
Purchase of used / savings funds – find your nearest thrift store (thrift store) or apps like DBA, Tise or Facebook Marketplace the next time you want to buy something.
Repair – can we repair that phone or fix the zipper on the bag before we discard it?
Source: The Nordic Page