The sustainability can be viewed as a decision on how we are going to act to satisfy our needs without affecting the environment and the needs of our customers.is the people of the future. Sustainability requires a balance between its stacksres: the environmentthe company and the economy. In other words, there must be a balance between the Conservation of the Environmentthe Social Equity and the Economic Development for us to live in a sustainable society.

What is sustainable development?

The sustainable development is that balanced development in which the needs of the present are met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This type of development allows for an improvement in the economy while making efficient use of natural resources and safeguarding the rights of all humans on the planet.

R's for Sustainability

The R's of Sustainability serve as guidelines for us to be sustainable people, organizations and businesses. Initially, we talked about Reduce, Reuse and Recycle; however, today many other R's are discussed within Sustainability. Here we summarize eight of them.

Rethink

• Questioning our activities and consumption.
• Make a conscious effort to unlearn purchasing and consumption habits, and seek alternatives when possible.

Reject

• Refuse any activity or product that may cause harm to oneself, another person or the environment.
• Reject items that are not needed, are single-use or end up as waste quickly.

Reuse

• Reusing materials extends their life, reduces the amount of energy expended in the manufacture and production of goods and reduces waste.
• You can save a significant amount of money.

Repair

• Fix clothing or other items to extend their useful life and to keep them out of the landfill for much longer.

Readapt

• Modify items that we cannot reuse, repair or recycle to serve another purpose.

Reduce

• Buy and use less quantity, only what is necessary.
  • It uses less energy and generates fewer emissions to create and transport the items.
  • Generates less waste and prevents items from going to landfill.

Recycle

• Create new items with materials that are already in circulation.
• Benefits:
  • Prevents soil disturbance.
  • Reduces the amount of waste going to landfill.
  • Reduces air and water pollution.
  • Reduces greenhouse gases.
  • Reduces energy use.
• It should be our last option.

Reincorporate ("Rot")

• Return to the soil all the organic material (everything that was alive) that we are not going to consume.
• It is known as composting or composting.
• This process returns nutrients and life to the soil that allow plants to grow.
  • It allows the decomposition of organic material and the recycling of nutrients.
  • It prevents organic material from reaching landfills and avoids contributing to the emission of greenhouse gases such as methane.

In this link you can see the R's of Sustainability in more detail and with examples of how to be sustainable.

 

References

Crenna, L. (2017, April 21). The fabulous 14 R's of Sustainability. Cool Davis. https://www.cooldavis.org/2017/04/21/fabulous-14-rs-sustainability/

Follett, B. (n.d.). The 10-R's of Sustainability. Earth Month Network. Retrieved November 15, 2021, from https://www.earth-month.org/the-10-r-s-of-sustainability/

Gardner, M. (2021, March 18). The 7 Rs of Sustainability. Kids In Nutrition. https://www.kidsinnutrition.org/post/the-7-rs-of-sustainability

Johnston, P., Everard, M., Santillo, D., & Robèrt, K.-H. (2007). Reclaiming the definition of sustainability. Environmental Science and Pollution Research International, 14(1), 60-66. https://doi.org/10.1065/espr2007.01.375.

Nations, U. (n.d.). Sustainability : United Nations. United Nations. Retrieved November 16, 2021, from https://www.un.org/es/impacto-acad%C3%A9mico/sostenibilidad

What is sustainability? (n.d.). Retrieved November 16, 2021, from https://www.sostenibilidad.com/desarrollo-sostenible/que-es-la-sostenibilidad/?_adin=02021864894

Sustainability: what it is, definition, concept, types and examples(n.d.). Retrieved November 16, 2021, from https://www.responsabilidadsocial.net/sostenibilidad-que-es-definicion-concepto-tipos-y-ejemplos/.

Author: María E. Ocasio Torres, Ph.D.
Bachelor's Degree in Coastal Marine Biology from the University of Puerto Rico - Humacao
D. in Biology from the University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras