My take on Sustainability 6'R'

My take on Sustainability by Arshiya Tarannum , Manager HR TRST01?

Some people continue to think that the "trend" of sustainability will pass quickly. However, they are the same ignorant individuals who think climate change is a con.

Diverse civilizations and lifestyles have long placed a high value on sustainability, and the four R. We learned about them even in General Knowledge classes during our school years. But how many of us can still recall the three rules we learned? There are probably not many of us.

Let me elaborate on the six principles of sustainability that have particularly resonated with me. These are the ones that I wholeheartedly subscribe to and actively practice in my life. They are simple to grasp and even easier to include in your daily life. All you need to do is have the conviction that doing these actions is essential and the motivation to do so.

1. Refuse

Stating your disapproval of any object that, after its useful life, would be disposed of in a landfill. It might be the plastic bottle you don't want to buy while travelling, the straw you don't want to use at the adjacent cafe or even the marketing materials you might be given when you go shopping. It would help if you flat-out refused to utilize anything you do not need to bring home.

As you may need to practice going against our mindset conditioning, which has always urged us to engage in any convenient activity, this may seem difficult. But eventually, this practice will prevail. So, you need to be more conscious, and you'll succeed.

2. Reduce

Check out your home!

Do you have an adequate amount of stuff around or too many?

It's necessary to plan your space and adhere to one of minimalism's tenets. As a result, we can better highlight our needs and hold ourselves in control while buying new goods in the future.

This R pushes us to exercise restraint and helps us understand the distinction between need and want.

3. Reuse

The tradition that we have followed for centuries.

We never throw away any jars we collect for the kitchen and never stop thinking of new ways to use them. The same applies to newspapers, delivery boxes, used clothing, and other items. I'm happy that this has been a stereotyped aspect of Indian culture, and I wish we would persevere in this for good.

4. Recycle

Everyone refers to the most common R, which they all use to assuage their guilty conscience. Recycling, in the eyes of many, is the be-all and end-all of using plastic and other non-recyclable materials. The majority of people, however, are unaware that more than 60% of products that are taken for recycling wind up in landfills. Contrary to popular misconceptions, recycling occurs at a meagre rate.

When none of the three R's can be achieved, recycling should be the process that is considered. And it should never be the first thing that comes to mind when considering any product.

5. ROT

The composting process defines this R. Rightfully so, and this is currently gradually gaining popularity in most houses. Food waste makes up more than 60% of all home trash, and the best decision would be to start composting at home rather than discarding food that naturally degrades.

There are several different pots and containers on the market that have been made specifically for composting. And each of us can select the option that best suits our household and financial situation.

6. Repair

How many of you have recently fixed your jeans' zipper or shoes' shoelaces?

In my opinion, the number of people that do it has probably been declining over the past couple of decades. This practice that was so widespread among Indians is now all but extinct. All because goods are produced for throwaway purposes. Because of this, it is replacing everything less expensive and more convenient. And this is one of the main reasons why things that, following a minor repair, may last a very long time frequently end up in landfills.

I sincerely hope you will take a shoe sole to a cobbler the next time it comes loose instead of discarding it.