Do you know the 4Rs rule? Moving towards a zero-waste lifestyle can sometimes be confusing. Today, we propose to analyze this principle and these four key words.
Towards a zero waste lifestyle
The principle of zero wastes is naturally to produce less waste. On paper, this may seem simple, but it is less so in practice. Indeed, it is an action that allows us to think about the impacts of our lifestyle on the planet. It is quite possible to change the way we live and consume. To become zero waste is simply to open our eyes on the content of our trash bag, and to understand where our waste comes from and what it will become. It is to consider the waste not as this thing that we throw away and that we forget, but as an object that we try to understand and thus to avoid. To enter into this reflection, we can apply the famous 4R rule.
1) Refuse
Say no to the superfluous, to what we don't really need, or to what pollutes too much. A sample, a receipt, a plastic cup... Why refuse? To produce each of these objects, a lot of resources and energy were used. Yet, when they are in your hands, they only have a life span of 40 seconds before ending up in a trash can. Now you can simply say "no thanks, I don't need it" and/or "I'm trying to reduce my waste".
2.Reduce
This principle is based on the adage "Live better, with less". Why reduce? The world produces more and more, we sometimes believe and wrongly so that we always need more objects, more pieces in our wardrobe, more appliances... And sometimes we forget the essential: being instead of having. It sounds very spiritual, but all the happy sages will tell you that! So it's time to clear out your house, give away those trinkets, sell your clothes that you won't wear anymore, and rent or borrow instead of buying.
3. Reuse
Reusing starts with choosing sustainable products with multiple functions. Like glass jars to store leftovers or your dry food, newspaper pages to wrap gifts, or even white vinegar to clean the house from floor to ceiling. Reusing is also about repairing instead of throwing away. At Naéco Hostels, we've already tried our hand at repairing, during a "Repair Day", a day dedicated to restoring the bikes of our guests. This principle also consists in turning to the second hand. Books, clothes, small appliances, cars... there is no lack of options to give a second life to your objects.
4.Recycle
Recycling is the ultimate step in waste reduction, not the first! If you've already done the first three R's, you shouldn't have much left to put in your garbage can. If you buy in bulk or at the market, you already have no more unnecessary packaging. If you said no to plastics, even less. Then you just have to throw away some envelopes or receipts... In any case, if you absolutely need a packaged product, always use cardboard packaging because it consumes the least CO2. And if you want to reuse the container, then always choose glass. Glass is certainly the most polluting in terms of CO2, but it is strong and durable and will allow you to replace lots of packaging!
The 4 R's at Naéco
At Naéco Hostels, we do our best to promote sustainable tourism. Thanks to our association Naéco#Responsables, we also try every day to implement actions to reduce the impact of your stay on the planet. We have a charter that presents the main guidelines of our commitments. We base our actions on preservation, discovery and awareness of ecology and nature. Since December and through our ethical advent calendar, we invite you to discover our tips to tend to green tourism, but also to discover several eco-responsible tips to apply during your daily actions at home.