Conservationists argue that we cannot maintain our quality of life as human beings with as much waste as we produce, and that embracing sustainability is the best way to maintain modern culture. Through the conscious reduction of our consumption, we can preserve resources by taking small steps that add up over time. Drinking water from reusable water bottles reduces use of plastic bottles. Taking shorter showers is one way to reduce consumption of water. Keeping thermostats at more modest levels or utilizing a clothesline for drying clothes are also appropriate ways to save energy. The reduce and reuse strategies are often the neglected parts of the three R’s.

Although personal choices are important, larger-scale business initiatives often focus on reduction of the use of natural resources as preferable to simple reuse or recycling. Sustainability-based practices in the corporate world save businesses quite a lot of money, and data shows that consumers prefer environmentally-friendly businesses. The main way that businesses utilize the three R’s is by reducing the use of resources. This topic also has global ramifications, as production-based countries suffer from higher air pollution rates than consumption-based countries. The U.S. Energy Information Administration believes that we have enough liquid fuel to meet our global energy demand through 2040, but finding new, eco-friendly energy sources and reducing energy usage is crucial for the future.

There are downsides to reducing, reusing, and recycling. In fact, this could even be a trade-off. Data is not clear that practicing the three R’s is better than consuming new goods. For example, some may think that continuing to drive an older car or buying a used car is a good illustration of reduce and reuse. However, newer models of cars are more fuel efficient than their predecessors, thus buying new cars helps to reduce fuel usage. On the other hand, newer cars are often bigger and heavier, requiring more resources for their manufacturing and also leading to increased rates of road degradation. Reuse in general seems like a good strategy, but each circumstance is different. Continuous use of some plastic bottles can lead to health risks if they are made with cheap plastic or if harsh chemicals leach out of those containers with increased use.

The act of recycling is also expensive. The cost of recycling rises and the benefits decrease as cities transition from recycling just paper and metals to the practice of recycling plastic, food waste, and glass as well. Customers prefer single-stream recycling, but about 25% of items in those streams end up going to landfills anyway, cutting the profit margins of any municipalities using these strategies. Prices for recycled materials have plummeted as a result of lower oil prices and a decreased demand for them overseas. This has even caused some recycling companies to shut down and cancel plans for new technologies.

The ways that consumers interact with a myriad of items each day is complex, but increased awareness and analysis of one’s choices is increasingly important for a crowded planet. The following question can guide not only individual choices, but also larger discussions about our attitudes and behavior: Is it more important to you to reduce, reuse, or recycle?

More Resources

Audio: NPR

Reduce, Reuse, Remove the Cellophane: Recycling Demystified

Hear answers to some frequently asked questions about recycling, including explanations of certain decisions and debunking of different misconceptions.

Video: TED Talks

Arthur Potts Dawson: A Vision for Sustainable Restaurants

A popular chef shares his ideas for a series of restaurants that focus on sustainability.

Website: BBC

The 6 R’s

See a list of the traditional three R's of sustainability: reduce, reuse and recycle; and, learn about three other "R's" to consider: rethink, refuse and repair.

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