Who hasn’t heard of the Three Rs? If you’re unsure, ask any 1^st grader! My favorite happens to be the 4^th R, respect.

 

It’s simple, really. Reduce the amount of waste we’re making and reduce the amount of TRASH we’re buying. Look for items wrapped in less packaging, and don’t buy unnecessary things that are sure to end up in the garbage can.

 

Reuse items that you would normally throw away. Reusing is a good way to reduce the amount of waste we’re making AND save money at the same time.

 

Recycle acceptable items at work and at home. Recycling saves natural resources, money & energy and protects air quality & wildlife.

 

What is often not so simple is knowing WHY you should bother exerting the extra effort to exercise the three Rs.

 

Making less waste saves space in the landfill. Reducing, reusing & recycling are ways to keep waste out of the landfill. Our landfill, the CMS Landfill located out by the Speedway, has a life expectancy of around 30 years. Then, that’s it; it’ll be full. It will be capped, sealed, covered and left. Then, where will our garbage go? Raise your hand if you want a new landfill placed near your neighborhood! And the congregation said, “Not in my back yard!” So, our garbage will likely be hauled to an existing landfill somewhere else. Think that will spark a significant increase in taxes? Yep.

 

We can protect air quality by reducing, reusing & recycling. When garbage decomposes in the landfill, it produces methane gas. Although this gas can be burned as a source of energy, methane reduces to carbon dioxide whether or not it is burned. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas responsible for global warming, and it contributes to ground-level ozone and poor air quality.

Reusing & recycling help save natural resources and protect wildlife. Natural resources are things found in nature that are valuable to us. Metals, petroleum, and trees are all examples. Did you know that petroleum is used to produce plastic? The extraction of these natural resources is often responsible for damaging wildlife habitat and otherwise harming the environment. Producing new goods from recycled plastics, metals and paper products protects wildlife and natural resources, because it allows us to leave our natural resources in nature. The best way to get recycled materials is for us consumers take the time to recycle.

 

There you have the WHY. For the HOW, take a closer look at the City of Concord’s website, or call 704.920.5555 for more information or to download or receive a copy of our recycling brochure.

 

Finally, don’t forget the 4^th R. Respect for the natural world is critical. If you don have it, get it, and if you do have it, share it!