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

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

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 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USo_vH1Jz7E

Reduce – the first R = conservation Examples of reduce: Reusable shopping bags Reusable water bottles Water conserving showerheads Energy efficient appliances Stop Food Waste https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9K72SHEPOCE Buy Nothing Day http://vimeo.com/56821946 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtNiiatDkGk

The majestic plastic bag…. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLgh9h2ePYw

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

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.

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

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? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTaGaMdKFzM