What is the 7-point solid waste management strategy?

Although complete elimination of waste may not be feasible, application of the following method dubbed the ‘7R Formula’ can alleviate the waste menace.

REDUCING: Reduce the amount of waste as much you can. Ensure that the products you buy do not produce a lot of waste. Use products that can be reused. Avoid using products such as plastic bottles and polythene bags because they are non-biodegradable.

RETHINKING: Rethink a product and its environmental effects before making a buying decision. This is to avoid buying a product that will contribute to waste increment. If a product is harmful, rethink before buying or using it. Before you dispose any waste, rethink so as to avoid irresponsible dumping. Consider other ways you can make use of solid waste other than disposing it.

REFUSING: Refuse using products that produce non-biodegradable waste. If you must use such products, refuse irresponsible dumping of the wastes that emanate from those products.

RECYCLING: Recycle wastes if they can be recycled. Products such as plastics should not be disposed of. If you cannot reuse them, sell them to those who can recycle them. Do not burn them because they will pollute the air and produce gases, which cause global warming.

REUSING: Reuse any waste product if it can be reused. Instead of dumping any product that you do not use, give it to a person who can use it.

REPAIRING: Repair spoilt items such as electronic gadgets so as to continue using them instead of dumping them. Do not keep them in the house either since they cause unnecessary congestion.

REFILLING: Dump wastes, which are biodegradable, at designated waste disposal sites. Do not dispose wastes which can be recycled, reused or repaired, instead give them out to people who can use them.