Course Code

Description NSTP 2
Pre-Requisites

Department: General Education Department Week

4 R’S OF ECOLOGY

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this module, the students are expected to;

1. Understand the different environmental issues and concerns.

2. Enumerate the different sources, causes and effects of pollution in human
life.
3. Know what are the actions to do in order to sustain our current situations.

INTRODUCTION

The waste management hierarchy breaks this

process down into four parts, also known as the
Four R's: Reduce, Reuse, Repair and Recycle. Most
people know them by heart as a slogan, but
they're actually a hierarchy that starts with the
first and most preferable option, and goes down
the ladder. Don't recycle plastic, for example,
when you can reuse it, or—even better—quit
using it altogether in the first place.
After all, while a lot of materials can be recycled,
breaking them down and turning them into new
items still incurs environmental and financial
costs. The more single-use plastics you refuse, the
less items you'll have to reduce and reuse. After
refusing, reducing, and reusing as much as
possible, recycling is the last resort.
By growing awareness and gaining an understanding of the environmental impacts
we have on our planet, we can be better informed of where and how to act. A lack of
awareness and responsibility has all added up to polluted land, sea and air. From a
lack of consideration of the environment in the way we manage waste to mass-
producing throw-away items to keep up with demand. Thankfully things are changing
and understanding the importance of the 4Rs can certainly help us inform our
choices. By increasing our sustainability in the home and better managing our waste
we can all make a concerted difference. Especially if we are to all play a role in
helping keep our oceans free from plastic waste and reducing our consumption of
needless items that can pollute our environment once disposed of.

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COURSE CONTENT

The most cost-effective way to manage waste is to do something at the source of

generation. The source of generation are the households, office, or institutions.
Waste management activities such as Sorting of Waste and Recovery can be best at
these points. This following are practical tips that should be at the care of any
ecological waste management.

REDUCE
Avoid wasteful consumption of goods. Begin by asking the question: “Do I really need
it?” In doing so, waste can be minimized and our natural resources can be conserved.
Conservation is like charity that begins at home.

REUSE
Whenever practicable, reuse useful items instead of throwing them away. It would
greatly help it reusable goods are patronized.

RECYCLE
Waste can be a valuable resource. Items that are useless or of very value to someone
who wants to dispose of them may have significant value to others. The process of
sorting out and using these wastes into something beneficial is called Recycling.

REPAIR
Have items repaired to make them functional and reusable. Avoid throwing them.

SIMPLE AND EFFECTIVE WAYS OF PRACTICING THE 4R’s

 Avoid over-packed goods.
 Avoid disposable goods such as throw-away razors, pens, diapers, and even
disposable cameras.
 Buy food in bulk. Patronize product whose contents are refillable.
 Buy durable products.
 Practice composting (e.g., yard clippings and leaves.)
 Patronize products that are made from renewable, rather than non-
renewable resources.

STRATEGY IN ATTAINING ECOLOGICAL SUSTAINABILITY IN A

SCHOOL’S COMMUNITY-BASED PROJECTS
The school or community can suffer from the same pollution problems as homes. A
school or community administrator has many needs to attend to but inspite of these,
he must be able to “green up” the environment by sponsoring and supporting the
cleaning, greening, and beautification program in compliance with the green
Philippines Programs.
When it comes to attaining ecological sustainability, the “Four R’s”- reduce, reuse,

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recycle and repair have to learned and practiced in the communities and schools by
the community officials, residents, students, teachers, as well as concerned parents
in solving the “garbage overload”.

 To reduce means to reasonably limit or conserve the use of materials for

more important projects.
 To reuse is to “use again” the materials that are reusable, recyclable, and
non-biodegradable.
 To recycle is to reuse the materials after they were reprocessed either into
new products or similar functional products.
 To repair is to reconstruct/restructure and reinstall
equipment/appliances/gadgets that are still repairable to its functional state.

FEW WAYS TO REDUCE GARBAGE OVERLOAD

In Schools/Universities
1. Take lunch to school in reusable container; use lunch boxes and heavy-duty
containers. These containers are better than disposable bags, plastic wrap, and
waxed paper.
2. Work with the Parent-Teacher Association, student-accredited organization and
student council to identify ways by which your school can reduce the amount of
garbage it produces.
 (Stop using disposable throw-away dishes, cups, and utensils for regular
school meals. Use paper products and not plastics.
 Prefer fresh-cooked foods and meals to “fastfood”-type meals.
 Set up a paper recycling operation to collect used paper and old newspapers
from classrooms and offices.
 Repair and resell broken desks, chairs, and other equipment to salvagers and
charities.)
3. Undertake class projects like information dissemination about the amount of
garbage the school produces and the ways of reducing and minimizing them.
4. Get involved in PTA and school board meeting to air your ideas and lobby support
for sound environmental management.
5. Urge your local newspaper to run editorials that encourage greater school
commitment to the environment.
6. Network with other parents, students and teachers concerned about
environmental issues.
7. Conduct a campus-wide environmental audit.
8. Urge student government or council to pass resolutions supporting
environmentalism.
9. Create a coalition of campus groups to address environmental issues.
10. Organize a teach-in project during Earth Day.
11. Hold a fil, festival related to environmental issues.

In the Office: What you can do

1. Use less paper. Utilize your computer and word processor more.
2. Recycle your own waste paper into message pads and internal memos.
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3. Encourage your company/school to buy recycled stationery and envelopes.
4. Set up an inter - office arrangement with paper recycler for the easy and regular
pick-up of paper to be recycled.
5. Recycle newspapers.
6. Avoid throw-away containers.
7. Networks with other recycling companies: educate using the media; write letters
to the editors; and solicit support from the local government.

In your Community: How communities can promote recycling through a five-point plan.

1. Organize neighborhood associations into a strong coalition of recycling advocates,

and take your concerns to community council meetings.
2. Ask the city council to appoint a task force to determine how much money the
community can save in recycling instead of dumping.
3. Publicize the results of the task force findings in local newspapers and on radio and
television.
4. Urge the community to create a recycling program.
5. Implement the recycling program immediately.

The community-school administrators can initiate and enforce a recycling program

1. Hire a full-time recycling coordinator.

2. Help create a market for recycled products.
3. Make recycling mandatory.
4. Ban the disposal of specific recyclable materials and adjust disposal fees.
5. Provide separate containers for different recyclable materials and give clear
instructions on how to recycle.
6. Have recyclable materials picked up on the same day as the regular garbage.
7. Educate the community about the importance of recycling.
8. Recycle the university’s and community’s garbage.

Shop Talk-10 Golden Rules

1. Buy local products.

2. Always take your own shopping bag.
3. Avoid “disposable” items.
4. Buy organically grown fruits and vegetables.
5. look for the minimum packaging
6. Avoid aerosol sprays.
7. Buy products in reusable or returnable containers.
8. Avoid plastic packaging.
9. Support shops that offer products friendly to the environment.
10. Buy both recycled and recyclable products.

Down-to-Earth Hints--The Ten Rules

1. Make or buy non-toxic cleaner.

2. Avoid using pesticide in the home.
3. Read labels carefully.

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4. Use all cleaners moderately.
5. Keep your toiletries simple.
6. Avoid over-packaged cosmetics and cleaners.
7. Learn which additives are harmful and avoid them.
8. Choose biodegradable products.
9.Avoid aerosol cleaners.
10. Do not buy products that have not been taste on animals.

Use it Again, Recycle: The Ten Golden Rules

1. Separate your garbage for recycling.

2. Compost your food scraps.
3. Use things until they are really worn out.
4. Buy milk in glass bottles instead of cartoons.
5. Be wary of the disposable tag on products-how can you dispose of them.
6. Avoid plastic.
7. Buy recycled paper.
8. Reuse envelopes, plastic bags and containers.
9. take your own shopping bag or basket.
10. Choose biodegradable packaging.

Why Recycle?

1. It saves energy.
2. It saves resources.
3. It saves money.
4. It saves space.
5. It creates jobs.
6. It reduces pollution.

Reducing the Use of Plastics

1. Avoid buying meat and vegetables pre-packaged in a plastics container.

2. Take your own bag or trolley when you go shopping.
3. Avoid using plastic bags.
4. Prefer, 100 percent recyclable alternatives to goods packaged in plastic.
5. Avoid man-made fibers in clothing.
6. Avoid disposable plates, cups and food utensils.
7. Don’t buy disposable razors.
8. Invest in a good pen that will last for years and require refills, or use a foundation pen.
9. Buy margarine and butter in paper wrappers.
10. Buy softdrinks in glass bottles which are preferably reusable.

Save Water – Ten Golden Rules

1. Fix dripping taps promptly.

2. Choose phosphate-free detergent.
3. Use recycled, unbleached toilet paper.
4. Never dispose of toxic waste down the drain.
5. Shower instead of using a water dipper.
6. Turn taps off properly.

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 7. Observe water bans.
8. Reuse the water used in the kitchen to water the plants.
9. Water your garden early in the morning or late in the evening.
10. Do not do your laundry until you have a full load.

Golden Rules to Save Energy: It’s Easy to Save Energy!

1. Insulate your home.

2. Install a ‘solar system’ to generate energy.
3. Heat or cool only the room you use.
4. Wear thick clothing during cold weather and wear light clothing during warm
season.
5. Switch off lights in areas not used.
6. Ensure that your oven and fridge are sealed properly.
7. Choose energy-efficient appliances.
8. Turn everything off when you go on vacation/holidays.
9. Keep air-conditioned rooms closed.
10. Plug up drafts.

10 Golden Rules to Save Fuel

1. Use public transport whenever convenient.

2. Buy locally produced and packaged goods.
3. Adopt fuel-saving driving techniques.
4. Cut down on car trips.
5. Avoid energy consuming extras on your car,
6. Buy a small, lightweight car that runs on lead-free petroleum.
7.Car pool with follow commuters.
8. Walk if you only a short distance to travel.
9. Shop locally.
10. Keep your car properly maintained.

FOCUS QUESTIONS

1. What are the 4R’s of Ecology?

2. What are the definition of the 4R’s of Ecology?
3. What are few ways to reduce garbage overload?

RELATED READINGS / REFERENCES

file:///C:/Users/pc/Downloads/Kids%20Doing%20the%204Rs%20Lesson.pdf

https://www.trvst.world/inspiration/importance-of-4rs-refuse-reduce-
reuse-recycle/

file:///C:/Users/pc/Desktop/JoshAlmazan/PaperPinwheel-header.jpg-
5a6b40678023b9003762ecff.webp

Sergio J. Lee (2015. National Service Training Program-Civic Welfare

Training Service I, Literacy Training Service I, 2nd edition 2007

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