I read that China isn’t buying as much of the recyclable materials from the U.S. waste stream these days. They don’t need it to make products because we aren’t buying products.  The result is that recyclable waste is backing up at the U.S. recycle broker locations.  If this keeps up, when they run out of space and reserves, waste brokers will likely send into the landfill everything we’ve been striving to recycle. 

So how’s that 3 R’s Reduce, Reuse, Recycle message working out for us?   Out of economic pinching we reduced, now recycle is in trouble. 

There always seems to be a short leg on the three-legged stool we call Sustainability.  The three legs, of course, are environment, economy and social equity.  I tread carefully here because I’m not an economist or sociologist, but it’s becoming easier to see what happens when the economy’s carousel rhythm of producing, selling, buying and discarding goods grinds down. 

When the economy was in a white-hot rage, the environment often suffered, but when the economy stalls, social equity gets even more skewed. Getting three legs of the stool to be level is hard, especially if we’re only focusing on one leg at a time. 

In 2009, I can see us focusing more on social equity as each of us becomes more aware of what skewed social equity feels like.  Merchandisers report consumers are buying what they need rather than what they want.  Lately I’ve heard the voice of Common Sense calling from the far side of WWII.  “Hey! How many of those do you need anyway?  Eh?  You just bought one last year and the year before.  Give one to somebody who needs it.” 

I’m suggesting adding another R for 2009.  Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - - Relate to those in need.  Open up to the idea that while you could keep it, someone else might actually need it.  Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Relate.  It just might be what we need.

Suggestions for the 4th R:

• Place items by the curb for a day or two with a “Free” sign,(check with your home owners association if you have one)
• Offer items on www.freecycle.org or Greenopolis Free N Exchange

• Call your church or any church to ask if someone needs your item

• Tune your ears; you may actually hear someone say they need such an item as yours

• Donate to charity

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