Most people can tell you what the "old" Three Rs stand for: reading, writing, and arithmetic. Lately, however, I've been thinking that 'new' 3Rs are equally worthy of our attention: reduce, reuse, and recycle. While this mantra might seem a little faded some 30 years after the first Earth Day, it can make your daily life in Japan much simpler, and more frugal.
Why? Well, living in Japan (particularly urban Japan) presents three unique challenges: 1) a lack of storage and living space, 2) expense, and 3) complex/difficult procedures for getting rid of used items and trash. How many of you have stuff crammed into every nook and corner of your sliding door 'fusuma' closets? Or have had to PAY someone to take your used furniture and somewhat large garbage away (in many cities, this is the case)? I'm guessing I'm not alone in answering 'yes.' But adjusting your lifestyle to one focused on the new 3Rs can make things a lot easier.
First, recycling. I'm not just talking about cans, bottles, and newspapers here (though you should be doing this already). Are clothing, books, CDs, DVDs, electronic appliances, or anything else gathering dust in your apartment? Anything you haven't used, read, or worn in 18 months or more, but is still in good condition? Why are you holding on to it? Unless it's got memorial or financial value, wouldn't it be better to pass that item on to someone who could use it? Try recycling online (See: FreeStuffJapan) or at a flea market, organize a swap meet, or just ask around on an online group if someone can use something for free. If you have a large number of items (20 English-language books or 10-15 items of children's clothing), try offering the items as a bundled group: people are more willing to take it that way.
Another tip: if your old clothing, towels, sheets, books/papers, dishes, and glassware are really beyond hope and you need to trash them, try asking your neighbors when the next "haihin kaishu" (recyclable item) collection day is. Although there is usually only one collection day a month, local elementary schools and children's welfare associations collect the used items and sell them. The proceeds are used to stage festivals, improve local playground equipment, and to fund similar things. It's worth asking!
Next, reducing. Before purchasing something new or on a whim (or even accepting someone's old items), ask yourself: "Do I really need this?" "Do I have space for it?" If the answer is 'no' or 'maybe not,' then perhaps you should put off the purchase. If you really, really want the item, then why not get rid of something (or two things!) first before buying something else? You both free up space in your apartment or house, and (in the end) might save some money. Trips home are particularly dangerous: many of us (myself included) stock on clothing, shoes, books, and other things while visiting our homelands, only to arrive back with tons of new stuff and nowhere to put it! The next time you travel home, think carefully about what you'll bring back.
Finally, reusing. This is an area where I am really trying to improve, but there are many 'hidden' ways you can reuse items you already own. Making your own household cleaners, and using old spray bottles from commercial cleaners, is a good place to start. Old T-shirts, boxer shorts, cloth diapers (relatively clean ones!), sheets, and towels can be cut into square rags and used for 'zokin' or dust rags. The backside of old calendars, newspaper inserts, and junk mail makes great notepaper, children's drawing paper, and even wrapping paper for presents sent overseas. Even the free tissues packets you get outside of Japanese stations can be 'repackaged' in reusable tissue boxes or covers. In this category, your creativity and ingenuity are often the best resources. Be sure and share some good "reusing" tips with us at Frugal Watch as well!
In the next week, why not devote some time to thinking about how you can apply the new '3Rs' in your life? While it might require more time and effort, in the end I think the rewards are well worth it.
By Wendy J. Imura. Copyright 2005.