1. Discuss the reduction of resource consumption by conservation, waste reduction recycling & substitution.

2. Conservation - Reduce
Waste Reduction - Reuse
Recycling 
Substitution – ie hydro electric power for fossil fuels

3. The 3 R’s are not in random order
The 3 R’s are not in random order. They are in the order of the most desirable to least desirable action, in terms of the resulting impact on resource consumption and the environment.
The order is:
Reduce = conservation. Consume less of everything and therefore reduce conserve natural resources. Most effective in terms of reduce natural resource use.
Re-use = waste reduction. If you buy a product use it as many times as possible before disposing of it.
Recycling = materials used to make a product are re-processed to make another product. Least effective in terms of reducing natural resource use as the reprocessing requires energy and often material resources.
The 3r’s Jack Johnson -

4. Reduce – the first R = conservation
Examples of reduce:
Reusable shopping bags
Reusable water bottles
Water conserving showerheads
Energy efficient appliances
Stop Food Waste
Buy Nothing Day

6. The majestic plastic bag….

7. Reuse – the second R
Original product used as many times as possible = waste reduction but not elimination
Examples:
Reusable shopping bags
Greywater systems
Save food leftovers
Long life energy efficient light bulbs
Rechargable batteries
Buy 2nd hand furniture and clothing
Donate used items to charity
Reuse scrap paper
Buy used cars
Upgrade a computer rather buying a new one

8. Recycling – the last R Positive:
May reduce new material harvested/exploited to make products
Usually requires less energy than manufacturing a new products
Reduces material going to landfill. This may be short term only.

9. Recycling continued.. Negatives:
Recycling often involves “down-cycling”. Many materials do not maintain their original quality during recycling. The material therefore ends up being made into a lesser product with poorer materials = down-cycling. For instance, higher grade plastics made become lower grade plastics when recycled.
The result of down-cycling is that new raw materials are then harvested to make the original products.
Recycling products can be more expensive that making new products often. Ie plastic cheaper to make when oil prices fall.
Effective recycling depends on public participation
Effective recycling usually requires government policies and incentives

10. Recycling continued….
Recycling process can be energy hungry. Energy = natural resources
Effective recycling depends on public participation
Effective recycling usually requires government policies and incentives
Video: Does Recycling Work?