Three 'R': An effective sustainable waste management approach

Abstract

Urbanization is a coin with two faces. On one side it has improved the standard of living and on the other hands, given us the challenge of managing tons of waste. This increase in waste generation and its impact on environment and public health has led us think whether this is a boon or bane for the society. There is an immediate requirement to work on the sustainable management approaches to deal with waste generated at an exponential rate. A double-edged sword strategy of disposing the waste generated and reducing the generation of waste simultaneously has to be followed. The three 'R' approach of 'Reduce, Recycle, and Reuse' is a promising strategy to deal with this waste management issues. The success of this three 'R' approach depends on the effective implementation by the law makers at all levels from cities to villages. This should be followed by mandatory training of people on the three 'R' approaches from school to work places explaining the benefits of this approach. Promotion of these approaches has to be done on the public and social media. A successful management of waste can be possible with the good collaboration of government and public and by feeling the responsibility individually.