In a world that is moving towards sustainability, everyone is pretty much aware of the three R’s: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
There is another R that is something we all should consider when it comes to sustainability or the three R’s, and that is to RETHINK. Especially days when the dumpsite is becoming a threatening challenge.

What is that?

Rethink – every action we do take and how that would impact the environment. Instead of doing what we all are comfortable with, from our experiences. Making decisions out of the box, taking a step to say no to many options that we are caught up in within the everyday life that keeps us stagnated from not reaching better sustainable living.

What ways to Rethink?

When it comes to reducing your wastage, think of sustainable options, packaging that are bio-degradable or that can be properly recycled on Island. Only buy what you need, try to buy in bulk. Avoid the use of Styrofoam or foil containers for your house parties, use biodegradable eco-friendly wares which are backyard compostable. Shop at our local farmers market, you are supporting them as well as your produce fresh & no bulk packaging, energy, fuel used to get to the island.

My favourite part is reusing; it is the help you do to the environment and your wallet. Reusing certain items multiple times before replacing them is the key. Using reusable water bottles and beverage cups (on the go), ditching plastic bags, and using environmentally friendly bags are the most found practices. Back yard composting is something that could be learned, roughly 25% of your garbage can be composed. Avoid single-use food and drink containers. When you are going to buy something new, consider buying second-hand. Donate used goods, this would benefit someone and save items from ending up in the dump while they are still reusable.

Recycling is when you are putting a product to a new use instead of throwing it away. It is also the process of collecting and processing materials that would otherwise be thrown away as trash and turning them into new products. You help close the recycling loop by buying new products made from recycled materials.

Below are few items with their decomposing times taken when it reaches the landfill.

• Glass bottles: 1-2 million years
• Monofilament Fishing Line: 600 years
• Sanitary Pads: 500-800 years
• Plastic bag: 500-1000 years
• Disposable Diapers: 500-800 years
• Plastic bottles: 70-450 years
• Aluminum cans: 80-200 years
• Batteries: 100 years
• Rubber-Boot Sole: 50-80 years
• Tin can: 50 years
• Foamed Plastic Cups: 50 years
• Nylon Fabric: 30-40 years
• Leather shoes: 25-40 years
• Lumber: 10-15 years,
• Cigarette Butts: 10-12 years
• Milk Cartons: 5 years
• Wool Clothing: 1-5 years
• Plywood: 1-3 years
• Rope: 3-14 months
• Jute products: 1-2 years
• Canvas products: 1 year
• Cotton: 3 months
• Cardboard: 2 months
• Styrofoam: It does not biodegrade
• Tinfoil: It does not biodegrade

In our modern-day life, one can easily find plastic products everywhere. And these take anywhere from centuries to millenniums to decompose in our landfills. And the unfortunate part is that most plastic bags do not break down, but photo-degrade, they become microplastics that absorb toxins and continue to pollute the surroundings.

The best plan of attack to deal with this growing issue is to avoid products that generate waste materials that take more than a year or two to decompose in a landfill. Proactive ways must be taken across various walks of life, to start diverting materials away from the waste stream and have effective recycling done.

We have to say no somewhere… It is time to say no to single-use plastics. Together we can take a step towards a better tomorrow. The biggest injustice is not trying… Let’s “Rethink”!

Noel Rozario