Reduce, Reuse, Recycle…Repeat…

These are words we’ve heard over and over for the past 20-30 years, but do we really pay attention to what they mean?  How many people consciously purchase products made from recycled materials?  I don’t know what that number is but it’s something to ponder. 

What happens if consumers don’t buy items made with pre or post consumer recycled content?  Decreased demand.  Have you ever wondered why your county didn’t recycle a certain material like glass or paper?  Chances are, that item is not efficient to recycle or there is no buyer.  If consumers don’t want (don’t purchase) glass made from recycled glass, then the glass recycling company isn’t going to need or want your glass. 

That’s a straightforward concept to grasp. There are many items, large and small, entering the marketplace everyday that are manufactured with recycled materials. Take a moment to investigate.

The other component to the 3R’s mantra is the order in which the words are composed.  They are in a hierarchal position that reflects the order these actions should take place based on what is the most effective way to combat waste. www.globalstewards.org is an informative website to serve as a refresher on how to reduce, reuse, and recycle.

Another term that goes hand in hand with recycling is downcycling.  Downcycling is the reality of what happens to many of the products we recycle, which is why "reduce" is the most important aspect of the 3 R’s (see link above).  

Paper is an example of a product that is downcycled.  First, it starts off as a crisp white piece of processed virgin wood pulp.  After it’s been used, we throw it in the recycling bin where it will eventually be reprocessed into paper pulp. During this process, the paper fibers begin to experience a loss of quality.  More virgin paper pulp is added to the recycled pulp until eventually, through many cycles, the paper becomes worthless. In this case, recycling just prolongs the papers journey to the landfill. 

One of the largest items we purchase and probably give little if any thought to the connection between the 3R’s is our homes. According to the World Watch Institute, each year, 3 billion tons of raw materials are used for construction. In addition, the average home size has increased while our family size has decreased.

How can we apply the 3R’s to our abodes? First, reduce the square footage needed to live. Only keep necessary items and rethink the misconception that bigger is better. A skilled residential designer can increase storage and quality of living spaces while adding aesthetic appeal and maintaining square footage parameters. Second, consider purchasing a home that is pre-owned, including moving a house to your lot or stay in your current home and renovate. Third, utilize building products constructed of recycled materials.

Also, consider that many excess building materials can be recycled. In addition to new recycled manufactured products, there may be a building salvage company in your area that just might have a hip, retro, green vanity or beautiful pair of antique mahogany doors that can add personal style to your project.

Some building salvages offer a deconstruction service, where they come to your home, deconstruct it and arrange a sale of items pulled during the deconstruction process.

All these ideas help reduce our load on landfills, slow the exploitation and degradation of our natural resources as well as instill pride and value into our communities and homes. Remember the 3 R’s.

Chandra F. Hartman

Copyright © 2006 Chandra F. Hartman– All rights reserved

Chandra F. Hartman is owner of the residential design company CFH Design Studio, Inc. located in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. Currently available for free consultation regarding your design project. Visit http://www.cfhdesignstudio.com for more information.