7.3.4 Learning Outcome No. 3: Demonstrate sustainable resource use 73.4.1 Learning Activities Learning Outcome No. 3: Demonstrate Sustainable Resource Use a 3:1, Comply with methods for minimizing wastage. 3.2, Employ waste management procedures following principles of | Personal protective ‘Special Instructions 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle). equipment should be 3.3, Practice methods for economizing or reducing resource | used at all times. consumption. Group discussions. 7.3.4.2 Information Sheet No7/103: Demonstrate sustainable resource use o Introduction This learning outcome covers complying with methods for minimizing waste, employing waste management procedures following principles of 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) and practicing methods for economizing resource consumption. Definition of key terms ‘Waste management: These are activities carried out to control unwanted or unusable materials from its inception to its proper disposal. It includes waste collection, transport, treatment, storage and disposal, in conjunction with regulation and monitoring of the process as a whole. Resource consumption: It is the usage of resources in any form to meet our own needs and wants. Consumption is spending for acquisition of utility of resources. Reduce: It is when resources are utilized in a manner that limits the amount of waste created or toxicity of waste created Reuse: Itis a waste management concept that involves using resources again after cleaning up or treatment. Although the items reused still end up as waste, by reusing them, waste produced at a given time is reduced and the lifespan of the item expanded. Recycle: It is a process that involves converting already waste materials into new materials, and products, Recycling prevents wastage of potentially usefuul materials and reduces the use of fresh raw materials. Content/Procedures/Methods/Ilustrations 1.1 Methods for minimizing wastage ‘Types of Environmental resources They are categorized in the following groups: 323a) Renewable and Non-renewable Resources Renewable Resources They are also known as infinite resources. These are resources that are consistently available despite their utilization, After usage, they can be fairly replaced or recovered. Examples include air, water, vegetation and energy from the sun. Animals can also be categorized as renewable resources since they reproduce offspring to replace the older generation, It is important to note that as much as these resources can be replaced, it may take a long period of time to do that hence need to use then sustainably. Renewable resources are further divided into two categories: ‘+ Organic renewable resources. These are those that are extracted from living things, that is, plants and animals. ‘+ Inorganic renewable resources. These come from non-living things like sun, wind and water, Non-renewable Resources. These are resources that cannot simply be recovered or substituted once they have been extracted and utilized or destroyed. They are also known as finite resources. Example includes minerals, fossil fuel. Even though minerals and fossil fuels occur naturally, they are categorized as non-renewable resources as their formation take a very long period of time, Most recently, some animals, mostly the endangered species are also regarded as non- renewable resources as they are at the verge of extinction. b) Biotic and Abiotic Resources Biotic Resources These are resources that come from organic and living materials, that is, the ecosphere. They include animals and plants and other materials obtained from them such as fossil fuels, as they are produced from dead and decaying organic matter. Abiotie Resources These are resources generated from non-organic and non-living materials. Examples include water, land, air, minerals. ©) Stock, Reserve, Actual and Potential Resources Stock resources They are resources that are present and have been surveyed but their usage is limited due to lack of technology to extract them. An example of such a resource is hydrogen. Reserve Resources These are resources that have been surveyed and their quantity and quality determined butt are not currently been used. They are however to be developed for profits in the future. Actual Resources These are resources present in a region whose quality and quantity have been surveyed and determined, and they are currently being used as the required expertise and technology is, available, 324Potential Resources These are resources whos be exploited in the future, For instance, in a region that sedimentary rocks rich in petroleum; it is a potential resource until its actual quality and quantity is surveyed and determined. From the above resources, we lear that environmental resources are classified according to the following criteria: ‘+ Based on their renewability ‘+ Based on their source of origin. knowledge and existence in a region is present and c: ‘+ Based on their development stage Wastage minimization entails limiting the amount of waste that is produced hence aiding in eliminating the production of harmful waste effectively supporting efforts that promote a society that is sustainable, Minimizing waste includes a change of society patterns that relate to production and consumption as well as redesigning products to eliminate the generation of waste. Benefits of minimizing waste ‘+ Improved product quality. Innovations and new technological practices will not only reduce wastage but also contribute to improved quality input leading to improved products. ‘+ Economic benefits. Efficiency and effectiveness in resource use translates to reduced cost when it comes to purchasing value of products hence affecting financial performance significantly. ‘+ Efficiency of production practices. Wastage minimization will attain more output of the product in relation to raw materials and environmental resources, + Environmental responsibility. Minimizing or eliminating wastage makes it easier for one to adhere to set environmental policies, regulations and standards + Public image. Embracing wastage minimization of resources boasts an otganization’s image, as itis a reflection of proactive movement in the bid to protect, the environment. Wastage minimization techniques Optimization of resources. This involves full exploitation of resources once they are extracted from their natural setting. For example, a dressmaker will arrange the pieces of a pattern in a certain manner along the length of the fabric in the quest to use a small portion of the fabric. Optimization also includes use of all products achieved in the manufacturing or processing of the main products. These products include by-products and waste products. Waste products and by-products fiom one process are used as raw materials for other processes. Quality control improvement and process monitoring. Wastage minimization can be put in place to limit number of rejects and wastage generated, Can be attained through increased frequency of inspection and increase of inspection guidelines. 325Resources used in manufacture can be scrutinized through monitoring and evaluation to make them more effective and efficient minimizing wastage. These methods of minimizing wastage are practically similar to the methods for economizing or reducing resource consumption, Reducing or economizing resource consumption is a priority sustainability issues because we all share the burden of responsibility to leave the environment fit if not better for ongoing prosperity and quality of life for future generations, 3.2 Waste management procedures following the principles of 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) These principles are the most commonly preferred methods for minimizing wastage. They are the easiest and commonly used techniques. Reduce It calls for usage of resources that are just enough to cater to your needs for example, building a small house. It lowers cost in resource consumption. Reducing can be attained through attaining accurate measurements to ensure that there is little or no wastage of the resources. The process of reducing begins with determining what you are using and for what purpose, There are three simple steps used to assess the reduction value of an item. They are: ‘+ Is there something else that can be used for this purpose? Use of multi-purpose items is essential in reduction. This reduces the amount of energy used or packaging material used. ‘+ Is there something that needs to be done? A lot of waste materials are considered disposable in the sense that means whether or not the item allows you to do any real purpose or meaning, ‘+ _Isthe item a part of something that you need to do or want to do in your life? There is a limit to what you need in preparation for your life. For example, when living in the forest, you won’t need a car equipped to handle a desert sandstorm. Always ‘make certain that what you use matches reality of potential opportunity in your life. Some of the things you can do to minimize wastage may include; printing on both sides of the paper, using cloth napkins instead of proper paper napkins and avoid using disposable utensils Reuse It involve -purposing items for a use different from what it was initially produced for. One appropriate example is the modular construction of homes and offices that is being created out of discarded shipping containers. Recycle Recycling means that an item will be transformed again into a raw material that can be shaped into a new item. The following approaches can be used to enhance efficient recycling: 326+ By products that are made up of recycled materials, i.e. products that are environmentally friendly ‘+ Buy recyclable products such as glass bottles. ‘* Create and invent new methods to recycle different items. ‘© Buy non-toxic products whenever possible. ‘+ Buy items made from recycled materials. ‘+ Use recycled paper for printing 3.3 Methods for economizing or reducing resource consumption Measuring Techniques of Current Resource Usage Current usage of resources needs to be measured as most of these resources are exhaustible meaning they are available in a limited quantity and can be used up. Measuring techniques are thus crucial in order to avoid depletion. Currently, there is a huge tug of war centered on resource depletion (incteased scarcity) and the exploitation of resources. A measuring technique involves @ six-stage process that involves understanding your current resource consumption and waste production, understanding how to measure it, using the data and ultimately making informed decisions. Stage 1: Understani is undertaken in two part Initial Review Helps in gathering basic information. Assists one in understanding how various resources, are being used highlighting areas that can be improved on. Process Mapping Having acquired an insight from the initial reviews, process mapping helps controlling resources usage by adopting the most efficient and effective resource consumption to minimize waste collected, cost and environmental impact. 1% resource consumption and waste production. T initial reviews and process mapping. Stage 2: Data Collection This stage involves quantifying the exact amount of resources used. Some of the data collected may be exact figures while others may be estimates depending on nature of the resources in question, Data can be collected: by taking measurements, estimating, financial data and bills, and mass balances. Stage 3: Data Analysis This section involves managing and collating the data previously collected. Collected data is represented in tables, graphs and charts, Stage 4: Data Interpretation This stage involves relating data analyze to measuring indicators such as carbon metrics, and carbon footprints, It outlines the current resources usage with trends cropping up in the sector. 327Stage 5: Summary It involves coming up with a conclusion of the process in relation to knowledge gathered from the data. It helps identify priority areas to target, how to go about target setting and to plan on improving on resource consumption to be sustainable. Stage 6: Reviews and progress communication This report is developed outlining the whole process and how/what next from the knowledge gained. ection involves giving a way forward from all you have gained from the process. A Understanding Resource Consumption and waste production \ Review and Progress Communication \ Data Collection F Summary Data Analysis oa Data Interpretation a Figure 27. A measuring technique process The most commonly used measuring technique of current resource usage is Environmental Resources Accounting. It is a subject of accounting proper, its target being to incorporate both environmental and economic information. It is a field that identifies usage of resources, measures and communicates costs of a company’s or national economic impact on the environment. Costs include clean up or reclaim of contaminated sites, environmental fines, penalties and taxes, purchase of pollution prevention technologies and cost of waste management. Conclusion This learning outcome covered methods for minimizing waste, waste management ptocedures following the principles of 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) and methods for economizing or reducing resource consumption, The trainee should be able to come up with innovations to enhance all these. 328Further Reading Oo ISO standards Innovation in waste minimization and reduction of resources consumption methods. 7.3.4.3 Self-Assessment (a? Written Assessment 1. Which of the following is not a principle of the 3Rs? a) Reduce b)_ Replenish ©) Reuse 4) Recycle 2. Identify which of the following resource is odd one out, a) Air ) Fossil fuel ©) Water @ Sun 3. Classification of environmental resources is based of the three of the following apart from? a) Based on source of origin b) Based on renewability ©) Based on development stage 4) Based on region. 4, Which is not a wastage minimization technique? a) Resource optimization b) 3Rs principles ©) Quality control improvement 4d) Replenish 5, Benefits of minimizing waste do not include? a) Public image b) Fun ©) Environmental responsibility @) Economic benefits 6. Explain the principles of 3Rs according to environmental resources giving example 7. Briefly outline the types of environmental resources. 8, Give three examples of measuring techniques of current resource usage. 329Practical Assessment A report on methods for minimizing wastage used in the school 7.3.44 Tools, Equipment, Supplies and Materials ‘+ Standards operating and/or other workplace procedures manuals ‘+ Specific job procedures manu: ‘+ Environmental Management and Coordination Act 1999 ‘+ Machine/equipment manufacturers specifications and instructions ‘+ Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) ‘+ ISO standards ‘+ Company Environmental Management Systems (EMS) ‘+ Montreal protocol + Kyoto protocol 7.3.4.5 References © Ahmad, Y. (1989) Environmental Accountability and Sustainable Development: A UNEP World Bank Symposium. World Bank. Washington D.C. https://courses.Lumenlearning.com/boundless-economics/chapter/introduction-to- natural-resources-economics/ https: /hwww.conserve-energy-future.com/what-is-the-process-of-minimizing-waste php. 330