Avoidance in 3R

To many, 3R means reduce, reuse and recycle. While many are struggling of put forth the awareness about recycling to the public, there are attempts to further explore the meaning of 3R. Nowadays, some are talking about 4R or even 5R by incorporating the steps of repair, refurnish, replenish or even refuse to buy.When I attended the 3R-Hanoi Seminar recently, I was told about avoidance in the 3R concept. Avoidance means avoiding of using a resource or product or service, if unnecessary. For example, if we can disseminate information in the department through digital means, then it is not necessary to issue memo. Like wise, saving a telephone number in the mobile immediately instead of writing it in a paper before keying it in the phone is a mean of avoiding using the paper. Avoiding the use of new paper or stationary, the purchase of new appliances or phone, multiple travelling to the same destination for the same services and etc.

While many people intend to be thrifty when it comes to spending money, many have not done so as the money spent might be in small amount. We tend to take for granted using something as the value of procuring it is within our means. We are so poor in calculating the value and cost, especially if we need to accumulate the total spending.

Avoidance is a good concept at the beginning of 3R concept. We should try first to avoid over spending or even spending unnecessary, and then try to reduce if not possible to avoid. Of course, this might have affected the economic sector, but for the sake of resources optimisation and environmental conservation, we should try.