By Adriam McDermott

Recycling is a green alternative to landfills.  Before considering recycling, it is worthwhile to understand that if we really wish to tackle the issue of pollution and waste disposal then we need to incorporate the three Rs – reduce, reuse, and recycle.

When we reduce the amount we consume, and use well-designed products, we minimize the need to recycle.

When we reuse products, we produce less trash. It is essential to move away from a culture of single-use and throw to a lifestyle where we reuse products. Apart from these three rather well-known “Rs”, there are other things that residents of Hawaii can do. These include returning products to sellers; for example, empty beer bottles and discharged batteries can be returned to sellers. Instead of replacing things, we must give repairing a shot. Prepare compost using organic and biodegradable matter. Refuse to accept single-use plastic from sellers.

You can get constructive with things that you can do with waste. You’ll save money, too. Implement these things and you will contribute immensely to reducing the waste that goes to landfills.

In order to bring about these lifestyle changes, you need to have clarity about what you can recycle and what you cannot. Don’t send for recycling things that cannot be processed or are too difficult to sort, for example plastic straws.

And, we not only must contribute to the production of recycled products but also support the entire process by buying and using recycled products. We already do that. Beer cans, paper, bottles…these are examples of recycled products.

Also, try to learn if manufacturers using recycled products take steps to recycle products made by them. Even water can and must be recycled. Use wastewater for flushing toilets. Bathwater that remains can be used for flowering plants in the garden.

Green kitchen waste and garden trimmings can be added to a composter, to which you may choose to add earthworms for a quicker and more thorough conversion of the organic material back to soil.

Recycling of electronic products is a priority for most municipalities because the metals used are valuable, and salvaging these directly through recycling instead of having to pick them up from landfills is cost effective. Be it computers, laptops, mobiles, or other items, you can either send these for recycling or donate to institutions that help needy people.

When you buy things, from fruits to appliances, consider the recyclability of the product. Packages that carry fruit are often not recyclable because of the inner wax lining. Models that can be upgraded will not only save you money because you won’t have to buy the while product again, you will also contribute to the philosophy of using less, reusing, and recycling.

Get into a habit that no household item gets thrown in the waste bin before being evaluated for reuse…if not by you then by someone else, maybe elders at an old-age home, destitute in another city, anybody. Make an effort to deposit the item with an agency that does such work. A little research will throw up options in your area.

A very useful activity that you can undertake at homes and offices is to inventory the waste that leaves your premises. Break it down into recyclable waste and that which is destined for the landfills. Your objective should be to reduce the amount of waste that will end up in landfills.