Recommendations of 3Rs!

Sources of drinking water rates of utilisation per day!

The 3Rs- REDUCE, REUSE and RECYCLEThe phrasereduce, reuse, recyclerefers to the recommended sequence of activities for treating materials to make better use of materials so that we create less damage to the environment. In addition to the primary advantages to our environment, these 3Rs also provide other benefits, such as financial savings. These are also known as the environmental 3Rs. They are :

Reducing

2.Reusing

3.Recycling

First, when possible, reduce or don't use resources you don't need. One of the easiest ways to do this is to stop using up things when you aren't making use of them. For instance, turn out the lights when you don't need them. Don't run the water when you aren't using it (turn it off while you brush your teeth). This is the best option because you not only save resources by not using them, you also leave them available for further use later on, and there are frequently other resources saved by not needing to create more. For example, if you save water usage, you have also saved the energy needed to purify and pump that water, and often, the resources that will be expended in sewage treatment.

Second, by reusing, we also reduce the amount of new resources that will be used. Reuse can be facilitated by using objects that are sturdy or built well. When you use standard dishes instead of paper plates, you reduce the amount of waste that is created.

The third category is often the one we think of first. Recycling is good for the environment, but not as good as the first two choices. Recycling takes energy.

Reduce

This is the best practice of the 3Rs.

If we reduce our need for resources, there would be no need to recycle materials.

It is better as the recycling process also requires energy.

REUSE AdvantagesEnergy and raw materials savings as replacing many single use products with one reusable, one reduces the number that need to be manufactured.Reduced disposal needs and costs.Refurbishmentcan bring sophisticated, sustainable, well paid jobs to underdeveloped economies.Cost savings for business and consumers as a reusable product is often cheaper than the many single use products it replaces.Some older items were better handcrafted and appreciate in value

DisadvantagesReuse often requires cleaning or transport, which have environmental costs.Some items, such as freon appliances or infant auto seats, could be hazardous or less energy efficient as they continue to be used.Reusable products need to be more durable than single-use products, and hence require more material per item. This is particularly significant if only a small proportion of the reusable products are in fact reused.Sorting and preparing items for reuse takes time, which is inconvenient for consumers and costs money for businesses.

RecycleRecyclingis processing usedmaterials(waste) into new products to prevent waste of potentially useful materials, reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials, reduceenergyusage, reduce air pollution (fromincineration) and water pollution (fromlandfilling) by reducing the need for "conventional" waste disposal, and lowergreenhouse gasemissions as compared to virgin production. Recycling is a key component of modern waste reduction and is the third component of the "Reduce,Reuse, Recycle"waste hierarchy.There are someISOstandards relating to recycling such as ISO 15270:2008 for plastics waste andISO 14001:2004 for environmental management control of recycling practice.

Incentives of 3Rs The 3Rs of reduce, reuse and recycle have been considered to be a base of environmental awareness and a way of promoting ecological balance through conscious behaviour and choices. It is generally accepted that these patterns of behaviour and consumer choices will lead to savings in materials and energy which will benefit the environment.

In this context it may be enquired whether certain economic instruments may be considered to further strengthen these behaviours and choices. An example may be to reduce the sales tax or value added tax on goods that are made by recycling used materials, such as paper, plastics, glass, metals. Another example may be to reduce sales tax or value added tax on second-hand goods, which may include books, clothes, house-hold gadgets, bicycles, cars and automobiles, office equipment, medical and scientific equipment, telecommunication equipment, agricultural equipment, industrial and manufacturing equipment, boats, ships, trains and trams, aeroplanes, oil rigs, and so on.

An additional approach may be to reduce the interest rates on the financial loans, which companies avail of, for their commercial activities in the recycling, re-use and resale of used material and equipments.

It is plausible that this may have a significant impact on consumer behaviour, and may strengthen those sections of the economy and trade that are associated with such goods and services. Additionally, this would be consistent with supporting consumer behaviour and choices that are beneficial for the environment and for the economy.

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Recommendations of 3Rs Managing of Wastes!

Building MaterialsBuilding materials are made from many recyclable materials, such as metals, wood, glass etc. Recycle these materials accordingly.

Architectural salvage yards may take these items for reselling.

Many building materials, such as bricks and wood can be reused.

Chemical WastesMost waste batteries and chemical wastes are hazardous and recycling them is always the best option.Chemical wastes should not be thrown or dumped in open.Promote use of rechageable batteries over ordinary batteries as they have longer life.Battery recycling services should be provided.

CompostingComposting is an excellent way to recycle kitchen and garden waste.Composting is the decomposition of materials that originated from animals and plants.These organic materials can be things such as plant trimmings, vegetable cuttings, eggshells and teabags.The composting process produces a dark, crumbly matter that can be used as fertiliser in garden soil.

Electronic Equipments

Electronic equipments, such as mobiles and computers should not be thrown away.

These equipments, if not needed, should be donated to other organisations.

The recyclable materials in them must be recycled.

GlassGlass is separated into 3 colours: green, brown and clear.

Recycling banks should be created where these glasses can be thrown into appropriate containers.

Glass must be reused as far as possible.

MetalsMetal is usually separated into 2 groups: aluminium and steel.Drink cans are usually made from aluminium and food cans are usually made from steel.The waste metals can be used by students in their project models.These should be deposited in the recycling bank, where they are processed into useful materials.

PaperNewspapers and magazines should be collected from door to door and recycled or reused after that.Reuse envelopes by putting stickers on the address part.Reduce heavy packaging of products.Paper can be used for craft purposes.

Other MethodsGreen buildings which reduce the consumption of electricity.Conversion of used cooking oils into biodisel.Providing students with bicycles rather than bus transport.Reducing the use of paper.Keeping different coloured garbage bins for different types of wastes.Avoiding leakage of pipes.

McDonalds sets examplesSwitching to unbleached paper napkins made from recycled materials.

Creating litter patrols.

82% of consumer packaging is made from renewable materials.

Recycling the used cooking oil for re-use in variety of products, including the creation of environmental friendly biodiesel.

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Sources of drinking water to MIT campusThere are 2 sources of drinking water to the campus- borewells and municipal water.

About 20 borewells are there in the campus to supply water.

The municipal water comes from the dam situated at Hiriadka, near Baje.

Sources of drinking waterThe dam water is treated in 2 stages.

Firstly, it is treated there itself and secondly the water is treated at the water treatment plant in Parkala.

In summers, when there is shortage of municipal water, the borewells are used.

The dam at Hiriadka, near Baje.

The used water from the campus is treated at the Sewage Treatment Plant (near X block).After the treatment of water, it is used for gardening purposes.

Rates of utilisation per day

About 25,00,000 litres of water is used per day by the MIT campus.

The hostels use around 20,00,000 litres of water per day.

The detailed reports are contained in the Excel Sheets.

Water consumption in January

Water consumption in February

Water consumption in March

The meters used for noting the readings and calculating the amount of water used per day.

Heading towards a greener ManipalDuring our meeting with the maintenance officials of MIT, we found that most of them are already working towards making Manipal eco-friendly.Still awareness must be raised among the students, so that even they participate in making this a reality.Implementing washers, sensors etc. would help us solving the water crisis significantly.

ReferencesMIT Maintenance Office (Plumbing & Electricity)

Sewage Treatment Plant (near X block)

Photo courtesy: Derrick I. Joshua (Field Trips)

Video courtesy: www.youtube.com www.metacafe.com

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