The new approach: from 3 R's to 5
RETHINK, REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE, REBUY

We've all heard the phrase Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. But what does this mean in your daily life? Is it more than just filling the blue recycling box you put by your curbside? I'd like to add a fourth R to this phrase: Rethink. By rethinking our lifestyle we can reduce the amount of stuff we need to recycle. By thinking about the cost to the planet from our purchases we can make wiser choices not only for the planet but for our pocketbook. And then a 5th: Rebuy.....being an avid shopper, this is a bit tough for me but I am trying to evolve!  To work on these areas, we can ask questions like:

  • What is the impact of this purchase on the planet?
  • Will it help me save energy or spend more energy?
  • Is it minimally or wastefully packaged?
  • Do I really need it?
  • Does it have any ingredients that are toxic both to me, my family, and the planet?

Why Adopt the Five R's?

Incorporating the 5 R's into our lifestyle can help:

  • conserve the planet's precious resources
  • reduce waste,
  • save energy,
  • reduce the need for more landfill sites,
  • create jobs,
  • help charities,
  • and improve human and environmental health.

Conserve Resources and Protect the Environment

We've all heard that we're using up the planet's resources faster than the planet can reproduce them. One of the best ways to slow down this cycle is to adopt the 5 Rs into our daily lives. For example, by adopting the 5 Rs we can:

  • stop the destruction of old growth forests that are clearcut to make toilet paper,
  • prevent the tremendous environmental and energy costs of strip mining. For example, instead of mining aluminum from bauxite in the ground, we can produce aluminum from recycled tin cans.

Reduce Waste and Reduce the Need for Landfill Sites

No-one wants a landfill in their backyard and the GVRD (now Metro Vancouver) is quickly running out of convenient landfill space. Precious land can be conserved when you practice the 5 Rs. Not only is it a waste to throw things away that could be recycled, many scientists are concerned about the toxic liquid landfills produce called leachate. Leachate can leach into and pollute local water supplies for both wildlife and humans. Some of the leachate comes from toxic household waste that should never find its way into a landfill. Contact your local recycling center in order to dispose of toxic chemicals like paint and pesticides.


Save Energy

Making new products out of recycled materials saves a great deal of energy. This includes electricity, and fuel used in production and transportation. Why does this matter and what does it mean to you? More energy conserved means fewer dams will need to be built. There is also less risk of your local regions restricting your energy use in high energy usage periods. For example, during summer heat waves, when there is a high usage of air conditioning, local electrical infrastructure can be taxed to the max and limits are placed in order to prevent blackouts from occurring.

Create Jobs

Whole industries have been created to recycle products that were formerly thrown away. This creates many new jobs.  For example, new newsprint is made from old newspapers and magazines, building shingles are made from mixed paper and cardboard, and rebar and steel products are made from recycled metal cans.


Support Local Charities

Many local charities raise money through recycling items such as cars, clothing, and even cell phones. For example, the Salvation Army supports its mission through used clothing shops. The Canadian Diabetes Society raises funds by recycling the thousands of empty printer cartridges that would otherwise end up in landfills. http://www.diabetes.ca/section_services/pr.asp

Improve Human and Environmental Health

Many products we throw away hold toxic and dangerous chemicals. These toxins can pollute our landfill sites, and groundwater. Fluorescent lights may hold mercury for example - a very dangerous chemical that is extremely toxic in minute amounts. Batteries may contain caustic liquids or hazardous metals such as mercury, nickel, lead, and cadmium.

How You Can Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rebuy

Rethink

We all produce garbage. Thus we are all part of the problem and we can all be part of the solution. Instead of buying things unconsciously we can make more conscious choices about what we are buying, why we are buying it, and whether it is really fulfilling our needs. For example:

  • Think before you buy
  • Do not purchasing products or packaging that will quickly become waste
  • Avoid buying plastic or Styrofoam products or unnecessary packing, for example, that you will quickly throw away
  • Buy durable, good quality products that will last
  • Consider a product's lifecycle before purchasing it
  • Purchase only what you need
  • Get creative with reusing what you have
  • Look for post-consumer recycled products

Reduce

Let's reduce the amount of waste we produce in the first place. You can do this by:

  • Avoiding disposable products and packaging
  • Buying items in bulk rather than individually
  • Ordering fewer phonebooks & catalogues (I have tried cancelling phone books as I never use them; so far I have been unsuccessful)
  • Bringing your own cloth bag when buying groceries
  • Bring a washable coffee cup to work and your local coffee shop
  • Put your green waste like eggshells and produce trimmings into a composter. You may even be able to get a small apartment size worm composter from your local municipality. See our Gardening section.

If you think something is over-packaged, tell the store manager or complain to the manufacturer. They really do listen to consumers.

Reuse
We reuse when we take a useful item and use it again in the same way or in different ways. For example:

  • Use both sides of paper. Double-side your printing jobs
  • Send unwanted items such as clothing to the local thrift shop. Many local charities will even pick up directly from your home
  • Eat at restaurants that offer china service instead of throwing away fast food and take-out containers. Or, bring your own containers to the take-out stand
  • Use cloth towels and napkins rather than paper ones
  • Buy products in large size "economy" or "family" size rather than single use sizes

Recycle

Recycling turns old materials into useful new products. You can do this by:

  • Putting your recyclables out at your curbside for pickup
  • Bringing your recyclable materials to a local recycling center

To Get a Blue Box or Find out what will go in your blue box contact your municipality

http://www.gvrd.bc.ca/recycling-and-garbage/blue-boxes.htm

Public Recycling Sites

Many municipalities have public disposal facilities where you can recycle items that won't go in your blue box. You can find a local site here:

http://www.gvrd.bc.ca/recycling-and-garbage/public-disposal-facilities.htm

Rebuy

You can contribute to recycling by purchasing recycled and recyclable products. Buying products made from recycled material also helps support the recycling industries.

For example:

  • Treasure hunt for new to you products at consignment stores, flea markets, and garage sales
  • Purchase recycled tissue paper
  • Buy a fleece jacket made from recycled plastic bottles!
  • At the store, ask yourself these questions:
    • Can this product or its packaging be reused or recycled?
    • Was it produced from recycled materials?

Whenever possible, choose products that meet these criteria.

Tips for Recycling at your School or Business

The Metro Vancouver (formerly called GVRD) has produced industry-specific recycling tip sheets for schools and businesses:

http://www.gvrd.bc.ca/recycling-and-garbage/business-services.htm

Did you know?

Landfill sites account for about 38% of Canada's total methane emissions. Methane is 20 times more potent as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. Thus you can help reduce global warming by reducing the amount of your garbage that goes into the landfill.

Here's some useful Recycling Links

Recycling Information

Here's great information on recycling from your federal government.

http://www.recycle.nrcan.gc.ca/default_e.htm

The Recycling Council of British Columbia

604.732.9253 or 1.800.667.4321
A non-profit organization working towards waste avoidance. Supports waste management solutions by conducting research, facilitating the exchange of ideas and providing information services.


Where To Take Your Stuff

Wondering where to take your stuff for recycling in the GVRD region? Check out the GVRD's  large database:

http://www.gvrd.com/recycling/index.html


Recycling in North Vancouver

http://www.nsrp.bc.ca/

Electronics Recycling in BC

http://www.encorp.ca/electronics/

Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC)

http://www.rbrc.org/call2recycle/
1.800.822.8837
Accepts common rechargeable batteries. Collection depots at A&B Sound, Blacks Photography, Canadian Tire, Cell City Communications, Future Shop, London Drugs, Mountain Equipment Co-oo, The Source, The Bay, and Staples. No Fee.

How To Recycle Your Household Hazardous Waste

http://www.york.ca/Services/Garbage+and+Recycling/Household+Hazardous+Waste.htm

Hazardous Waste Disposal in Coquitlam

http://www.portcoquitlam.ca/Citizen_Services/Garbage__Recycling_and_Green_Waste_Collection_Services/Household_Hazardous_Waste_Disposal.htm

Hazardous Waste Disposal in Delta

http://www.corp.delta.bc.ca/EN/main/residents/272/919/67031/hazardous.html

Find a Hazardous Waste Disposal Station in the GVRD

http://www.corp.delta.bc.ca/assets/Engineering/PDF/recycling_directory.pdf

Need someone to Pick Up Your Junk and Recycle It?
Try a company like Fresh Start Recycling

 http://www.freshstartrecycling.com/

Recycling Organizations for more recycling tips

recycling@rbrc.com
1.800.822.8837
Accepts common rechargeable batteries. Collection depots at A&B Sound, Blacks Photography, Canadian Tire, Cell City Communications, Future Shop, London Drugs, Mountain Equipment Co-op. No Fee.

1.800.822.8837
Vancouver depots at London Drugs, Mountain Equipment Co-op, the Source By Circuit City, The Bay, Staples Canada/Business Depot outlets. No Fee.

604.732.9253 or 1.800.667.4321
A non-profit organization working towards waste avoidance. Supports waste management solutions by conducting research, facilitating the exchange of ideas and providing information services.

Fresh Start Recycling and Disposal Ltd. helps home owners, building managers, and construction contractors in Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond and the North Shore to rid themselves of unwanted items.

 

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