Many people do not understand that going green is for the benefit of everyone. Zimbabweans are sceptical about recycling. We mostly want to know how it will translate into a personal benefit. And we think wasting shows we have accumulated the necessary bit of wealth to show that we are no longer needy. Following the 3 Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) will benefit everyone individually and communally.
Recycling has a lot of benefits inclusive of the fact that it will save you pockets of money.
1 saves energy
Imagine cutting you energy bill in half! Use energy savers for lighting (they are pricey; ranging from $2 for the cheapest and around $8 for the most expensive but the cost is offset by the longer lifespan as compared to the standard light bulbs which do not last at all!) and switch off unnecessary lighting, geysers and pool pumps when not in use.
2. Reduces the need for landfills and incineration
Our streets have become eyesores because the refuse collectors do not collect the waste, or when they do they do so in an unsatisfactory manner leaving debris from the waste in their wake. A visit by the refuse collector leaves the streets looking at times as if a whirlwind has just passed through. Now if we recycle, reuse and reduce, we will no longer need to pinch our noses when we pass by dumpsters or the sanitary lanes. Everything we use will be used over and over again. We do away with non recycle able plastics and take away the need of incineration which pollutes the air.
3 Increases the protection and expansion of manufacturing jobs and increases competitiveness.
More jobs and more competitive products in the market. Need I say more?
4. Decreases emissions of greenhouse gases.
Has anyone noticed how hot it has been of late? Cripplingly tiring hot? It is because of those greenhouse gases we have been talking about for years. Global warming has become an environmental problematic event that is both worrying and debilitating. And it is sad
that global warming affects the poorest people hardest.
5. Prevents pollution from virgin materials and conserves natural resources
Virgin materials often lend to a certain extent of pollution of the environment and recycling means the pollution is reduced and we also conserve the environment for future generations. Planting 3 trees to replaces one cut down will ensure that we keep at bay desertification and ensure our forests are not depleted.
There are things you can do to help in your own small way to ensure that we conserve the environment.
a) The car
Replace your petrol-guzzling car with one that is more fuel efficient or one that uses less fuel. A
Toyota March is a good example of a fuel efficient car. Whilst you might love showing off in that powerful monster engine, you are not doing anyone any good least of all yourself. When cleaning the said car, find a green option to hosing your car down.
b) The home
Use less energy, if you can afford it install a solar energy system in your home. Reuse water; plant a herb or vegetable garden to ensure that you do not waste used water. Do not do laundry, brush teeth or clean dishes under a running tap. Find a suitable receptacle to store the water.
Find a reusable shopping bag (cloth bags are best or paper bags) and ditch the plastic bags which cost you money and harm the environment.
c) The workplace
Recycle paper, reuse. collect all paper that is no longer needed for recycling. Reduce the paper trail. Print only the much needed documentation, digitise everything else. You save space, and you reduce your stationary bill!
Visit the iWARM website for the individual waste reduction
model and earth911 and the recycling
guide on
tips how to recycle.
Waste not, want not.
peace,
fadz
