The Three R's - Reduce

Maybe you’ve noticed, and maybe you haven’t, that I have kind of drifted away from the green living topics. It’s not that I have changed my lifestyle, if anything I’ve gotten a bit crunchier. Every day I look for opportunities to improve my life as well as lessen my impact on the world around me, and that will never change.

Most of the subjects that are very useful information related to green living have been pretty well done. I read enough different blogs, articles, websites, forums, etc to feel that anything I have to add would be fairly minimal on these subjects. Sure, I have my own opinion of things, but who wants to read the same thing said twenty different ways?

The true and simple concept behind any and all true green living practices (as opposed to green-washing, which just makes you think you’re benefiting the environment while lining the pockets of different corporations) can be summed up in three words.

Reduce
Reuse
Recycle

First and foremost

Reduce is the first mentioned on the list, and for a very good reason. It is the first line of defence in protecting natural resources, time, and energy. By reducing, you are taking the time to consider the need of items, and making sure that you only take what you need. It is the easiest and most effective way to have a positive effect on the planet when used properly. Using less stuff will lower the demand for raw natural resources. With a lower demand on natural resources there will be less destruction of ecosystems and natural habitats. Less destruction of ecosystems will lead to the planet reaching it’s balance once more, as it will not be being actively torn apart by man’s constant want for new.

Reducing the amount of stuff you have in your home/office/life will also result in less stress. Stress about money or stress about where to keep all of the stuff, and how to keep it all clean and maintained. Stress that the body does not need or deserve. By having and wanting less stuff, you will not only save money by purchasing less, you will also save money by having better health due to lowered stress levels.

Start simple, think big

Reducing may seem intimidating at first, but don’t let it scare you. Starting simple is the easiest way to go about it, and starting with something small is a great way to tiptoe your way into the environments graces. Don’t take big leaps unless you think you can make it, and don’t try to push yourself too hard, because you will just increase the likelihood of burning out. If you’re looking for somewhere small to start, keep an eye on the small steps series I have been creating. Cut things out one at a time, and in time you won’t even miss them. You may even find life more enjoyable when you have less stuff to worry about.

Peace and serenity,

Simply Me


This post is part of a series. Part 2 - Reuse and Part 3 - Recycle

4 comments:

Robj98168 said...

I have always felt the R rules should have a heirarchy that is first reduce, then Re-Use, Then Recycle and Finally Repair

Laura Kaeding said...

Reduce is definitely first and foremost, but I would place repair right next to reuse. It goes along with the thought of not wasting that which may still be useful. But that's just me :)

Robj98168 said...

Someone just told me that ReUse is in the same category as ReDuce so maybe if we thought of it as so?

Laura Kaeding said...

Hrm... I guess I could see that, but to me they are separate. Reduce is the first step to cut down the amount of 'stuff' that you bring in in the first place, then reuse what you can. It's a process, so I wouldn't lump them together. But if it works for them to think of it that way, then power to them!