We're not talking about reading, writing, and arithmetic, we're talking about the 3Rs of the environment. We are quickly running out of space in our landfills. That's why it is important to learn the three R's of the environment: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle!
REDUCE - The first "R" is the one that helps our trash problem the most. Reduce means cutting down on what your family buys and uses, and reducing what your family throws away. One way to reduce is to buy items that come with less packaging.
Cutting down on what your family buys and uses can include:
REUSE - Instead of throwing things away, try to find ways to use them again! Re-using things is better for the environment than recycling, because when something is re-used it does not need to be reprocessed before it can be used again.
Finding ways to reuse what your family already has can include:
RECYCLE - Many of the things we use every day, like paper bags, soda cans, and milk cartons, are made out of materials that can be recycled. Recycled items are put through a process that makes it possible to create new products out of the old ones. Recycling saves our natural resources, reduces waste, and creates more jobs. You can also help the environment by buying products that contain recycled materials such as paper towels, garbage bags, greeting cards, and cereal boxes. Ask your parents to help your family buy things for your family that are made from recycled materials, just help them look for this symbol (hyperlink to recycling symbol) on items you buy the next time you go shopping.
Finding items to recycle is easy, just look for this symbol (hyperlink to recycling symbol (see attached). For recycling centers that accept commonly recycled goods, Household Hazardous Waste, used motor oil, or electronics visit Arizona Recycles to find a location near you.
Yes! It can be recycled into new soda cans or even an aluminum baseball bat! It's a valuable piece of aluminum made from a natural resource called ore that is mined from the earth. Aluminum can be recycled over and over again!
Yes! It can be crushed and melted down to make new containers and construction materials. Glass is made from sand that has to be dug out of the ground and melted down. When recycled glass is used to make new products energy is saved!
Yes! It can be made into new paper, insulation for your house, and even egg cartons! Paper comes from trees that take many years to grow! You can help save trees by recycling paper!
Yes! It can be recycled to make more plastic containers, toys, carpet, park benches, and many other things! Plastic is made with oil, a natural resource that is taken from the earth. If we recycle and reuse plastics it will help conserve our natural resources!
There are many places you can recycle the waste you, your family and friends create. You can recycle at home, school, parks, and even at your little league games.At home you can easily sort your trash for things that can be recycled and put those items in containers to be taken to a recycling location or for pick up at your house.Recycling is easy to do and a fun way to help keep the environment clean! Tell your parents to visit Arizona Recycles to find a recycling center near you.