School's been back in session for at least a month, so the 3 Rs are well underway. Besides, with texting and tablets, the old reading, writing and 'rithmetic are kind of anachronistic. Do kids even learn to write their names in script anymore? But we digress.

The 4 Rs are perennial and more important than ever before in our era of climate change: rethink, reduce, reuse, recycle. That's why Impact Absorbents has designed products to be as green as possible, while maintaining the highest spill clean up standards. Here are four ways that XSORB, our flagship product, says NO in order to maintain our eco ethos and protect the environment. XSORB is:

• NOT biodegradable. XSORB will never leach the substances it absorbs back into landfills, keeping our precious groundwater and ecosystem safe.
• NOT flammable. XSORB will not burn, but it can be incinerated. At 2000 F., it will reduce to 20 percent of its original volume. XSORB turns to a sand-like substance and can be easily disposed.
• NOT carcinogenic. It's even safe for use around food!
• NOT toxic: won't harm humans, animals, plants, or visitors from other planets.

We're continually brainstorming ways to make spill clean up easier, faster, more economical and labor efficient, all while remaining true to the 4 Rs. That's why we've developed a range of recycled spill containment products, fromRecycled FiberDuck Heavyweight Oil Absorbent Padsyou cancrumple into pipe fittings, wrap around hoses, use to wipe down barrels, etc., toColdForm Bonded Universal Absorbent Pads made from natural, renewable fibers and are up to 40% more absorbent than polypropylene toUltra DrainGuard Recycled, keeping sediment and other pollutants from entering the water system, and a whole lot more. Rethinking how to reduce waste and reuse existing materials is half the fun of new (recycled) product development. So even though you long ago mastered the 3 Rs, keep learning ways to make the 4 Rs part of your life and business. The planet thanks you.