Question

What is the '3R' mantra? Write its significance.

Answer 1

Hint: Resources are worrying the policy makers. Everybody can contribute to the solution of this twin problem and save the environment by observing three Rs — reduce, recycle and reuse. Reduce means fewer use , recycle means processing of substance to use again and reuse means again and again use.

Complete answer:
1.Reduce. It is a reduction in use.
It can be done by:
Preferring articles with less packing.
Switching off lights, fans and other gadgets not in use.
Repairing leaky taps
(iv) Turning off taps while brushing teeth.
(v) Do not carry extra food in your tiffin.
2. Recycle: It is processing of the waste articles so as to form new products.
A number of materials can be recycled, example tins, cans and other metallic articles, rags, paper, cardboards, glass, plastic, polythene.
 Metal wastes can be melted to form new purified metal. Broken glass is similarly used to form new glass.
Waste paper and card boards can form new cardboard. Waste cotton textiles form paper. Plastic articles are recycled but produce inferior plastic. Waste polythene is melted and recast to form new polythene.
3. Reuse. It is the repeated use of an article till it gets broken or disfigured. Reuse is better than recycling as recycling uses some amount of energy.
it can be done by
> Wherever possible use metallic, glass and ceramic containers.
> Use cloth carry bags instead of polythene or paper bags for carrying articles from the market
> Fix a new refill in your ball pen instead of throwing the same and purchasing a new one.
> Write on both sides of the paper.
> Instead of throwing away, the envelopes can be reused by reversing them.
The 3R mantra is best for sustainable development and it is the biggest significance of it.

Note: The three Rs (reduce, recycle and reuse) are bound to have both immediate and long term favourable impact on natural resources as well as the environment. There is sustainable development (Brundtland, 1987) which not only meets the immediate needs of human society but also leaves sufficient resources for future generations. A cleaner environment also supports better economic and social development. However, all this is possible only on the willingness of each one of us to alter the present use of natural resources.