‘Protect the environment’ has always been a mantra hailed by many. Numerous initiatives by government, people, NGO’s and other autonomous bodies are taken from time to time to make it happen. While the new ideas on sustainability hold good, it’s never healthy to ignore the basics.And the basics say, ‘Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.’

Reduce: The first in the series and the most important one. Reduce waste by avoiding creating it in the first place. If unavoidable, cut down on the amount of energy you use and the amount of waste you create.

• Buy products in bulk: Instead of going for small packages, go for the big ones so that you don’t need to buy again and again. Larger, economy-size products or ones in concentrated form use less packaging and usually cost less per ounce.
• Make wise ‘package’ selection: You can reduce waste by selecting a product that is less wasteful. Fancy and fun packaging does attract, but it adds to the waste. So, the wise decision would be to avoid it.
• Avoid ‘store’ bags: Start refusing the store bags they give you while shopping. Instead, carry your own shopping bag that you can reuse.
• Use ‘cloth’ instead of ‘paper’: It seems convenient to use tissue/paper napkins instead of cloth napkins but for the sake of environment, start using cloth.
• Avoid printing: Unless there’s a need, don’t print. Also, instead of paper statements, opt for electronic display in ATMs.

Reuse: It comes second in the series. Reusing directly ‘reduces’ the waste you were about to create. Let’s see how you can go about it in daily life:

• Repair and reuse: It’s always a great idea to reuse your old stuff instead of throwing it away. Repair it if it’s broken.
• Say no to replacing: If it’s not broke, don’t replace it. Go by this phrase, literally. Don’t replace any electronic appliance or anything else if there’s no need.
• Buy second-hand products: Whenever you go for second-hand products while shopping, you’re indirectly reusing that stuff.

Recycle: Last but not the least, recycle. Here are a few points on how you can help the environment through this:

• Buy recycled products: Always look for recycling symbol. It means either you can recycle the product or the product is made up of recycled materials.
• Residential recycling: Always check collection centres and sell them whatever they accept.

Follow these three R’s and you would really be making a difference to the environment.