The three Rs for a better future

Of all the plants and animals in the world, humans are the only species that spend resources faster than they can be replaced.

Can our throw-away culture continue discarding valuable resources? Americans produce mountains of trash that pollute the land, water and air. But there is hope: Environmentally minded people are beginning to see the value of stuff and the virtue of reducing garbage by recycling and reusing it, i.e. the new 3 Rs of sustainability.

Reduce: In America, the motto has long been, “the bigger the better,” but bigger cars, campers, boats and homes with larger media rooms, bathrooms and playrooms, add extra strain on our resources. It costs more to heat them and they require more stuff to fill them. Too much stuff distracts our attention and leads to extra stress in managing it.

The typical American home has grown from around 1,000 square feet in 1950 to over 2,400 square feet today. With homes getting larger and land becoming scarce and expensive, the dream of home ownership is beyond the reach of many Americans.

Letting go of this quest for greater volume may be the buzz of economic opportunity. Companies that understand this and take a more sustainable path in designing, manufacturing and distribution will ensure their own success.

Consider a more creative, flexible use of less space. Instead of expanding a room, try rearranging the furniture.

Reuse: The idea of something new is pretty exciting, but we need to be in tuned with the greater world around us, making sure that possessing that new item doesn’t steal essentials from someone else.

A shopping bag is a great invention. Why not use it over and over again?

Today reuse is one of the fastest growing industries. In the construction industry, unused materials can be resold and used materials can be reused through reuse centers that are springing up to offer more ecological alternatives to throwing useful materials into a landfill.

Instead of demolishing buildings, we can carefully disassemble them and reuse a majority of the stuff.

Recycle: Although it is cliché to say, “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” in a world of dwindling resources it’s not only true but useful. There are a variety of programs available making recycling easier for individuals, homeowners and contractors.

Currently, the construction of one single-family home adds from 3 to 5 tons of waste to landfills. About 90 percent of this can be diverted from landfills though waste sorting.

More waste can be prevented through the greater use of goods made with recycled content. When purchasing products, recycling content claims should be verified. Whether it’s pre- or post-consumer, recycling gives new life to resources that would otherwise end up in landfills.

In short, it takes a conscientious effort to follow the path toward responsible use of resources.

In doing so, we leave a legacy, and an abundance of resources for our children and future generations.

David Pelletier, AIA, LEED-AP, of Pelletier + Schaar Architects in Stanwood.