5 Rs:Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle,

Repurpose

Problem?

Refuse

Refuse things you don’t really need

Refuse one-time-use plastics (grocery bags, water bottles)

Refuse products with multiple layers of packaging

Show companies what you value by purchasing carefully

Organic

Sustainable packaging

Sustainable business practices

Reduce

Select electronic versions where possible (coupons, newspapers)

Reduce energy usage

Reduce purchases of products in non-recycled packaging

Consider: do I really need this? Will I use this frequently?

For example, do I really need 3 pairs of sunglasses, or can I get by with one?

Reuse

Select reusable versions of one-time use products (water bottles, travel mugs, lunch containers)

Reuse plastic or glass containers that originally contained food or other products.

Donate unwanted items to a charity, thrift store, relative for someone else to use

Repurpose

Upcycle projects (think Pinterest!)

Turn old clothes into cleaning rags, patches

Decorate amazon boxes or empty oatmeal containers to use as gift packaging

Recycle

Recycle the usual suspects

Recycle electronics

Refuse first, Recycle last

Recycling is great, but it is far better to not generate the waste in the first place

How can we get kids engaged with the 5 Rs?

Cost analysis: reusable water bottle vs. plastic water bottles (1 per day)

The Majestic Plastic Bag

http://www.zerowastecowichan.ca/videos/majestic-plastic-bag-mockumentary

Earth Day: Expression Contest

My idea (TOTALLY up for negotiation, fresh ideas more than welcome!)

Ask students to use a means of expression to show a change they can make in their lives to refuse (focus on this one in specific), reduce, reuse, repurpose, and recycle (encourage students to avoid this one, they have done it over and over already)

Some resources

http://thegreeningofwestford.com/2014/04/5-rs-refuse-reduce-reuse-repurpose-recycle.html

http://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/publication/Sustainability_Recycling_2012-01pr.pdf