Millions of tons of waste are produced by Filipinos every year, call it garbage, refuse, or trash, it's the waste we create in our homes and communities. Through eliminating, reusing, and recycling products at home and in our neighborhoods, and inspiring our neighbors to do the same, each of us can make a difference.

Reduce

In the first place, waste reduction eliminates waste generation, so it is the most common waste management tool and goes a long way towards saving the environment. You can minimize waste by:

• Purchasing long-lasting, durable products.

• Looking for toxic-free items and packaging.

• Redesigning goods to use less raw materials in manufacturing, to have a longer life cycle, or to be reused after their initial use.

Re-Use

• Using coffee mugs that are robust.

• Refill bottles.

• Reuse boxes.

• Purchase pens and pencils that are refillable.

• Use cloth napkins or towels.

• Donate old magazines or equipment for surplus.

• Transform empty jars into leftover food containers.

Recycle

Recycling eliminates and saves electricity from the pollution of many greenhouse gases and water contaminants.

The use of retrieved material creates less solid waste. Recycling helps reduce the contamination produced by virgin materials being collected and processed. Often, less energy is used during processing as goods are produced using recovered rather than new materials, and fewer contaminants are released.

Benefits of Recycling

• Conserves money for the future of our children.

• Emissions are avoided by certain greenhouse gases and water pollutants.

• Saves strength.

• The industry provides valuable raw materials.

• Creates jobs.

• Stimulates the growth of greener technology.

• The need for fresh landfills and incinerators is decreased.

Composting

Another form of recycling is composting. Composting is the controlled, biological decomposition of organic matter, such as food and yard wastes, into humus, a soil-like material. Composting is nature’s way of recycling organic waste into the new soil, which can be used in vegetable and flower gardens, landscaping, and many other applications.

Exploring the 3 R’s of Solid Waste Management

It's crucial for and of us to do our part to keep as much material out of the landfill as possible. The 3 Rs of waste management are one of the ways to bring the strategy into effect.

Learn to Reduce. You could do this by:

• Purchasing items with less packaging. In contrast to those that are double and triple wrapped, when shopping for goods select the ones in only one bag.

• The procurement of goods in bulk. You reduce the total amount of packaging you can experience by purchasing more of the same product all at once.

• Try to stay away from disposable products. In specific, plates of paper, plastic cups, etc.

• Purchase durable products. Especially when you look into the past and feedback of the product you are purchasing for a big purchase. You help make sure waste stays out of landfills for longer by buying something that will last.

Learn to Reuse. You could do this by:

• Do not immediately throw away broken objects, some can be reused and converted into great new things!

• Rather than plastic wrap, use sealable containers.

• Invest in some reusable shopping bags or carry them to the supermarket with your old plastic ones.

• Look at upcycling concepts for popular household objects, many of which have alternative applications that you might never have considered.

• Embrace hand-me-downs. I can understand having your clothes as a younger sister, but if you have children of similar ages, try to complement the wardrobes with some hand-me-downs as well. Another choice is to shop in second-hand shops or shipping stores. That way, while also helping to reuse someone else's possible waste, the products would be entirely new to you.

Learn to Recycle: You could do this by:

• To see if they still have a recycling option, check with your municipal garbage company. This will help to make it much better to recycle.

• To see what items they accept, consult with local recycling facilities.

• Start a recycling program for an office.