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Do you know each person in urban areas produce about a kilogram of waste daily? That statistic includes you! Household wastes constitute a major source of disease when handled improperly and if we continue like this; our children will have little or no hope for a healthy life. If there is anytime when waste management should be looked into, it is now. Effective solid waste management can be handled from three perspectives commonly referred to as the 3R’s – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Reducing This involves avoidance of waste generation as much as possible and can it be achieved through some of these tips:
  • Shop smart by avoiding unnecessary packaging during purchase. Buy products with as little packaging as possible when you have options and go for loose fruits and vegetables. However, you can further reduce packaging related waste materials by carrying a bag along with you when going shopping.
  • If you can afford to, purchase groceries which are non perishable in bulk. This also cuts down packaging waste materials.
  • Make use of low energy compact fluorescent lamps like the common halogen lamps, in order to reduce carbon emission.
  • Make use of cotton clothes as opposed to disposable kitchen rolls. Where available, go for long term alternatives that can be used in place of disposables.
Reusing This involves figuring out ways in which certain materials that no longer serve their primary purpose of purchase can be put to other uses and not just thrown away. Some of these materials and how they can be reused are listed below:
  • Making use of gift boxes, wrappings and so on, again instead of disposing [the ones in good shape] and buying fresh ones.
  • Bags and containers can also be reused were possible.
  • Old pieces of clothes can be reused as rags instead of throwing away and buying new materials separately.
  • Wine and other such bottles can be used with fine sand to create decorations which can be used at home or even sold for money.
Recycling Many people have a difficult perception of what it takes to recycle. Some even think it is almost next to impossible to recycle at home or within your immediate environment. But the following tips should not only change that perception but help you go about the task of recycling some of your household waste:
  • Metal cans gotten from drinks, tinned foods, and so on can be melted and used to make cooking pots.
  • Home vermin compost can be made from your garden and kitchen waste and used to cultivate organic vegetables.
  • Grass clippings from your yard can be mowed to bring about a nutrient rich soil.
These tips could go on and on but waste can only be managed effectively when you learn to give up the ‘undesired’. Throw away what needs to be thrown away, reuse what can be reused and recycle what you can in order to create a healthier and clutter free environment for you and your loved ones.    
About the Author Eru Kobe Godwin is a poet, designer, and a writer at connectnigeria.com.   He is also the CEO at Cypress Concepts: corporate and casual shirt designers and stylists.
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This article was first published on 13th June 2012 and updated on June 19th, 2012 at 7:43 am

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