With this 5 Habits series, I want you to try implementing the 5Rs into your following week. The 5Rs are a major component of a sustainable lifestyle.
Many of you have probably already heard about them:
Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, and Recycle.
But just knowing these words and understanding their meaning doesn’t automatically help us apply them in real life. That’s why I want to give you some concrete examples of how you can actually use this concept in your everyday routine.
Refuse
Refusing doesn’t mean you have to stop eating chocolate or ignore everything wrapped in plastic. It’s about saying no to products that aren’t environmentally friendly.
For example, you could take the bus instead of driving because you refuse to create unnecessary pollution. Or you might choose an organic product wrapped in paper instead of plastic. Small decisions like these can make a big difference.
Reduce
This goes hand in hand with the first step. You should try to reduce your CO2 emissions for example by taking public transportation or even considering doing a little workout and walking somewhere. You can also try to limit your meat consumption as this is a big contributor to climate change. Also try to reduce waste as much as possible. When you go to a café next time try to bring your own cup to reduce the paper waste.
Reuse
There are so many products we use once and throw away immediately. Reusing items can help both the environment and your wallet.
A simple example is plastic or paper bags from grocery shopping. Instead of throwing them away, fold them and use them again next time. I personally like to keep a small folded bag in my backpack in case I need to stop by the store unexpectedly.
Repurpose
Whether it’s turning old clothes into cleaning rags or empty glass jars into organizers, there are so many ways you can repurpose things. This is not only a really sustainable habit, but it can also help you be more creative. You can even turn it into a little project with your siblings or kids.
Recycle
This step might seem a bit more difficult at first, especially if you’re used to throwing everything into one trash bin instead of separating waste. But just because something is new doesn’t mean it’s hard or unimportant.
You could start by getting an extra bin and separating paper and cardboard. You’ll be surprised how quickly it fills up. Many apartments already offer recycling containers, so it’s often easier than you think. At the beginning it might feel unfamiliar, but it quickly becomes a habit. Just make sure to follow basic recycling rules as well.
Another helpful habit is keeping a small container for compost. This includes organic waste from cooking, like vegetable peels. Depending on where you live, you can dispose of it properly, or even use it for composting if you have the option.
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