The Three R's of the Environment Every

1. TheThreeR'softheEnvironmentEvery year, Americansthrowaway 50 billionfoodanddrinkcans, 27 billionglassbottlesandjars, and 65 millionplasticand metal jarand can covers. More than 30% ofourwasteispackagingmaterials. Wheredoesitallgo? Some 85% ofourgarbageissentto a dump, orlandfill, whereit can takefrom 100 to 400 yearsforthingslikeclothandaluminumtodecompose. Glass has beenfound in perfectconditionafter 4,000 years in theearth!

2. Reduce • Reducingtheamountofwasteyou produce isthe best waytohelptheenvironment. There are lotsofwaysto do this. Forexample:Buyproductsthatdon'thave a lotofpackaging. Someproducts are wrapped in manylayersofplasticandpaperboard even thoughtheydon'tneedto be. You can alsolookforthingsthat are packed in materialsthatdon'trequire a lotofenergyorresourcesto produce. Someproductswillputthatinformationrightontheirlabels.

3. Examplesof reduce • Cars use up energyand cause pollution. Somewaysto reduce theenvironmentaldamagecaused by carsincludecarpoolingwithfriends, walking, takingthe bus, orridingyourbikeinsteadofdriving. • Insteadofbuyingsomethingyou'renotgoingto use veryoften, seeifyou can borrowitfromsomeoneyou know.

4. Reuse • ReuseInsteadofthrowingthingsaway, trytofindwaysto use themagain! Forexample:Bringclothsackstothe store withyouinsteadoftakinghomenewpaperorplasticbags. You can use thesesacksagainandagain. You'll be savingsometrees!

5. Reduction • referstomethodswhichminimise animal use andenableresearcherstoobtain comparable levelsofinformationfromfeweranimalsortoobtain more informationfromthesamenumberofanimals, therebyreducingfuture use ofanimals. Examplesinclude: Improved • experimental design and statistical analysisModern imaging techniquesSharing data and resources 

6. Refinement • referstoimprovementstoscientificproceduresandhusbandrywhichminimise actual orpotentialpain, suffering, distress orlastingharmand/orimprove animal welfare in situationswherethe use ofanimalsisunavoidable. Itappliestothelifetimeexperienceofthe animal. Thereisevidencethatrefinementnotonlybenefitsanimals, but can alsoimprovethequalityofresearchfindings. Examplesinclude:Using non-invasivetechniquesUsingappropriate • anaesthetic and analgesic regimes for pain reliefTraining animals to co-operate with certain procedures (e.g. taking blood samples) so the animals are less stressed Ensuring that accommodation meets the animals' needs (e.g. providing opportunities for nesting for rodents)Environmental enrichment to improve living conditions for research animals

7. ExamplesofReuse • ReuseInsteadofthrowingthingsaway, trytofindwaysto use themagain! Forexample:Bringclothsackstothe store withyouinsteadoftakinghomenewpaperorplasticbags. You can use thesesacksagainandagain. You'll be savingsometrees!Plastic containers and reusable lunchbags are greatwaystotakeyourlunchtoschoolwithoutcreatingwaste.Coffeecans, shoeboxes, margarine containers, andothertypesof containers peoplethrowaway can be usedto store thingsor can becomefunartsandcraftsprojects. Use yourimagination!

8. ReuseInsteadofthrowingthingsaway, trytofindwaysto use themagain! Forexample:Bringclothsackstothe store withyouinsteadoftakinghomenewpaperorplasticbags. You can use thesesacksagainandagain. You'll be savingsometrees! • ReuseInsteadofthrowingthingsaway, trytofindwaysto use themagain! Forexample:Bringclothsackstothe store withyouinsteadoftakinghomenewpaperorplasticbags. You can use thesesacksagainandagain. You'll be savingsometrees!Plastic containers and reusable lunchbags are greatwaystotakeyourlunchtoschoolwithoutcreatingwaste.

9. Recycle • ReuseInsteadofthrowingthingsaway, trytofindwaysto use themagain! Forexample:Bringclothsackstothe store withyouinsteadoftakinghomenewpaperorplasticbags. You can use thesesacksagainandagain. You'll be savingsometrees!Plastic containers and reusable lunchbags are greatwaystotakeyourlunchtoschoolwithoutcreatingwaste.Coffeecans, shoeboxes, margarine containers, andothertypesof containers peoplethrowaway can be usedto store thingsor can becomefunartsandcraftsprojects. Use yourimagination!Don'tthrow out clothes, toys, furniture, andotherthingsthatyoudon'twant • anymore. Somebodyelse can probably use them. You can bringthemto a centerthatcollectsdonations, givethemtofriends, or even have a yardsale.Useallwritingpaperonbothsides.Usepapergrocerybagstomakebook covers ratherthanbuyingnewones.Usesilverwareanddishesinsteadofdisposableplasticutensilsandplates.Storefood in reusable plasticcontainers.RecycleManyofthethingswe use everyday, likepaperbags, soda cans, andmilkcartons, are made out ofmaterialsthat can be recycled. Recycleditems are putthrough a processthatmakesitpossibletocreatenewproducts out ofthematerialsfromtheoldones.

10. ReuseInsteadofthrowingthingsaway, trytofindwaysto use themagain! Forexample:Bringclothsackstothe store withyouinsteadoftakinghomenewpaperorplasticbags. You can use thesesacksagainandagain. You'll be savingsometrees!Plastic containers and reusable lunchbags are greatwaystotakeyourlunchtoschoolwithoutcreatingwaste.Coffeecans, shoeboxes, margarine containers, andothertypesof containers peoplethrowaway can be usedto store thingsor can becomefunartsandcraftsprojects. Use yourimagination!Don'tthrow out clothes, toys, furniture, andotherthingsthatyou • don'twantanymore. Somebodyelse can probably use them. You can bringthemto a centerthatcollectsdonations, givethemtofriends, or even have a yardsale.Useallwritingpaperonbothsides.Usepapergrocerybagstomakebook covers ratherthanbuyingnewones.Usesilverwareanddishesinsteadofdisposableplasticutensilsandplates.Storefood in reusable plasticcontainers.RecycleManyofthethingswe use everyday, likepaperbags, soda cans, andmilkcartons, are made out ofmaterialsthat can be recycled. Recycleditems are putthrough a processthatmakesitpossibletocreatenewproducts out ofthematerialsfromtheoldones.Inadditiontorecyclingthethingsyoubuy, you can helptheenvironment by buyingproductsthatcontainrecycledmaterials. Manybrandsofpapertowels, garbagebags, greetingcards, andtoiletpaper, toname a fewexamples, willtellyouontheirlabelsifthey are made fromrecycledmaterials.

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