Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Small Steps Towards Big Change by Cassidy Thedorf

 I once heard a proverb, ³We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.²
How true this is. Many of us are realizing why we have to be kind to our planet, however we often aren¹t sure how to start.

 In today¹s marketplace, companies are realizing how important we as consumers consider the environment to be. As a result, we are bombarded with claims of various products being Œgreen¹, Œorganic¹, and so on.
In the wake of this sensory overload, how can a busy family endeavour to become more eco-friendly?

 This list suggests a few places where you can start.
 REDUCE

         Compost: It is estimated that 1/3 of our garbage is actually food waste.  Get the kids involved in a fun project ­ a backyard compost.
        Water: Can you reduce your water consumption by taking shorter showers? Can you wash your laundry in cold water, rather than hot?

REUSE
 -        Eliminate bottled water: Save yourself money by purchasing reusable water bottles and a filter. You¹ll do wonders for the environment.
 -         Paper towel: Use a rewashable cloth rather than paper towel. It is said that 7 million trees could be saved each year by using an alternative.

 RECYCLE

 -         Don¹t reach so quickly for that garbage: Can you go an entire day without throwing anything into the garbage? Check to see if it¹s recyclable. You may be tempted to clean out all the garbage in your car while you¹re filling up at the gas station. But how many of those items should actually go into recycling?
 -       Visit the Recycling Council of Ontario website for more information on recycling: https://www.rco.on.ca/ <https://www.rco.on.ca/>

 At times we feel that our efforts aren¹t enough. Perhaps the most impactful task we could undertake is to encourage others to participate in a Œgreen¹ way of living. Spread the good word!