Knowing is not enough, we must reduce waste!
There can not be something wiser than- Knowing is not enough, we must apply. Willing is not enough, we must do. This is something which applies to each one of us in all possible ways. We all know what we want and have enough knowledge sources to know more about it, but knowing it does not help in achieving it. We must apply whatever knowledge that we may have learned to be able to make it worthwhile. Even if we talk about saving our surroundings, Knowing is not enough, we must reduce waste, and we must save our environment.
Just because we want to do something or have the intent to do something, doesn’t get it done, right?
Many of us have intentions of doing (a lot of) things. But to make them happen, we have to be willing TO DO things. Just because we want to save our environment and reduce waste, it won’t happen just like that. Like von Goethe once said- “Knowing is not enough, willingness is not enough; we must APPLY, we must DO. We must put our steps forward and take (at least) the basic steps.
Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science behind how we must reduce waste, with this amazing science book.
What Happens to Our Trash?
The book will take you on a journey through landfills, recycling plants and compost piles to learn what happens to our trash! Every book in this Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science series is worth it and the winner of the American Association for the Advancement of Science/Subaru Prize for Outstanding Science Series. It is said that each person in the US makes almost five pounds of trash every day which is more than people make in any other country.
So, what happens to that trash? How can we stop throwing so much stuff away?
It’s all covered in this book, the book introduces basic science concepts to young children and helps satisfy their ever-burning curiosity. With clear, simple prose, it explains how kids can reduce, reuse and recycle their courier boxes, cans, plastic bottles and many other items usually considered garbage, the kid-friendly illustrations bring these lessons to life.
Understanding and Reducing our Waste
What we know. When it comes to managing waste, most of us know the basics of separating our recyclables from general waste. It is a good practice to segregate our kitchen waste, and general waste and put them out in separate bins. For that, we must understand the waste we as an individual are generating. Once we understand the type of waste we generate, we can follow the waste hierarchy.
What we must apply. If We understand our waste, we may apply an ideal waste hierarchy from the most desirable (reduction) to the least desirable (disposal). It should be something like the picture below. Though I believe we could also add one more category to AVOID. There is nothing better than avoiding buying something which you may not use. It may save you some bucks and space in your house
Unfortunately, many towns and cities in India are still not able to follow the waste hierarchy. The only option used is disposal. Much of the waste we generate is never collected (it is either dumped or burned). And even where it is collected, most of it is taken to a landfill, which has no means of controlling the pollution from that site.
A lot of us know the basics of REDUCE, REUSE and RECYCLE, and a lot of us are willing to do something too. However, way fewer of us stop to think about where our waste is going and what is the impact of our waste on our environment. Knowing is not enough we must reduce our waste and save our environment.
Think about it. Do you want to be the one who is knowing enough or the one doing enough?
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Great post. Thanks for sharing.
Yes, we all need to do our bit, even if it is small
That “must” cant be emphasized enough. This message has to be like repeated over and over for some to follow. More we read / discuss , it will spread awareness. Thank you for writing this.
Totally agree as we need more people to be aware of how to minimise waste and try to recycle as much as possible. Thanks for writing this! #ReadByPRB
Wow, such a lovely and thought provoking post!! Luckily in Bangalore – waste segregation is mandatory and hopefully we are doing something to save the environment…
Your message is so important – doing creates more impact than knowing.
Exactly, the problem is when nobody initiates. Only knowing about it won’t work. Thank You for dropping by and leaving a comment. Really appreciate it!
definitely agree with you – just knowing is not enough, we need to take actions regularly and daily to reduce the waste we create and finally its expel-tion. It is easy to get caught up and revert to old ways so a presence of mind is required for self and for others to be congnizant in our actions.
Yes it is necessary to reduce waste. I have started doing my bit to reduce waste and save environment
Very well written and agree that we shouldn’t preach and put it in practice too. Especially it should start from our homes.
I agree with you… We all know how to separate waste, why excessive, non biodegradable waste is dangerous.. The most important thing is to apply that knowledge in real life… Good post!
Loved reading each bit and I think we all should follow these simple things and start recycling as much as possible.
I couldn’t agree more with you. Reduce and reuse is the only way to protect out mother earth and save it to serve better future to our kids.
I totally agree to this blog. To restore our environment and to make sure our kids get a green and healthy future we ought to start doing our bit from today itself
It’s indeed important to actually do, not just know about and will to do. Very nice post.
Very rightly said, not many people understand the hierarchy of waste management.
Waste Management is something that stares us in the face eveywhere and everyday. And each one of us needs to do something about it. Starting of course by reducing the waste itself followed by proper segregation and disposal.
This is such an important topic that should be discussed more often. Reducing waste and recycling is a very crucial step for survival of humankind. We all need to do our bit. I try by using my kitchen wastes to some extent as plant fertiliser.
A well researched post Gunjan and a need of the hour. People are aware of the waste management techniques but seldom apply it themselves. Each individual has to contribute to save the planet.
Totally agree with you , knowing is not enough we need to practice less wastage and also should teach the next generation. A very informative write up.
Our small actions and choice are leading to slow erosion of our environment; the need to reduce the waste is crucial; recycle; reuse & most of all reduce; a lot if thought into avoiding what we really don’t need can ve paid .points well laid
It’s so important to understand how our waste impacts the environment and then try as much as possible to adopt a zero waste lifestyle – or as close to it as we can get.
Waste management is one of the crucial things in India. We all should try to do help the environment.
It’s important and very sensitive issue we all need to understand ..I am happy you have shared this here!!
Great post. It is high time we should take care of our mother world . And we need to reduce our wastages in order to make our earth clean and better .
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Wonderful post as always Gunjan. I am thoroughly impressed with your research as well as your thought-provoking tips.
Thank you Noor! ❤
Can’t agree more, Gunjan. We all know impact of pollution and waste mismanagement but few only impart it in life helping the planet
Exactly what the purpose of knowing it if we can’t work out something. Every little step counts