Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle – Five actions that can make your organizationand youa better steward.
Refuse
Refuse to buy or accept products that can harm you, your company and the environment.Use the power of your dollar to tell companies what you want and do not want.
- Think about freebies that companies give away. Now if you are going to use that pen or reusable grocery bag, by all means take it, but if it will eventually end up in the trash, then just say, “No.” Refuse it.
- Refuse harmful solvents and use alternatives that are water based.
- Refuse to receive materials from your supplies with unnecessary packaging that you will later have to pay for to dispose.
- Ask the question, “Why are we purchasing this item?” or, “Why do we need this?”
Reduce
- Reduce, to use less. Think about what you use and buy. Could you use less? Reduce the amount of energy you use to heat your facility by getting an energy audit (a lot times for free) and save MONEY in the process.
- Keep asking the question, “What is the minimum amount necessary?”Why would you wrap a pallet with 100 feet of stretch wrap if 80 feet will do the job?
Reuse
Reuse something you already have instead of buying something. Replace needing a single use item, with something you can use over and over again. Both of these options will save you money as well.
- Slowly replace any single use items with reusable ones – like reusable water bottles and breakroom mugs.
- Reuse packaging material (pallets, drums, bubble wrap or packaging peanuts).
- Reuse shipping containers (boxes, inserts, cartons).
- Reuse printer cartridges and have them refilled.
Repurpose
Repurpose – to take something and use it for something else. This requires a bit of thinking and craftiness, but doesn’t have to be beautiful.
- Repurpose scrap paper for taking notes.
- Repurpose metal cans, buckets for creative plant containers.
- Repurpose wood crates into benches or shelves.
- Repurpose material savings to help clean up spills.
Recycle
And last but not least, if the above four options won’t work, recycle. Maybe you missed the opportunity to refuse or reduce because you just weren’t there in your green journey when these purchases were made. Maybe there is no alternative. Recycling is a great way to open your eyes to all that you toss and a chance to rethink your future purchases.
- Recycle all the basics you can – paper, plastic, metal and glass.
- Recycle food wastes into composted soil or as a food for a local farm.
- Recycle all fabric – even stained or ripped clothing.
- Recycle all electronics.
Conclusion:
According to the 5 R's, four actions should be taken, if possible, prior to 'recycling': refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, and then recycle. Incorporating this methodology into your business' waste reduction and recycling efforts will minimize landfill waste and help take your recycling program to the next level.
Thank you for reading!
FAQs
These R's include: refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose and finally, recycle. This is an important methodology for businesses to follow to ensure they can reduce waste and boost their recycling efforts. This ultimately lessens the amount of waste that will end up in landfill and will optimise your recycling programs.
What are the 5 Rs and their meaning? ›
The FIVE Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Rot, Recycle
If you have fully embraced "Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle," there are two more “Rs" to learn. And, really, the list goes on: refuse, repaint, repurpose, refurbish, reclaim...
What does repurpose mean in the 5 Rs? ›
Repurpose – to take something and use it for something else. This requires a bit of thinking and craftiness, but doesn't have to be beautiful. Repurpose scrap paper for taking notes. Repurpose metal cans, buckets for creative plant containers. Repurpose wood crates into benches or shelves.
What are the 5 rules of zero waste? ›
These principles, refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, and rot, guide us to work toward a more sustainable and eco-friendly future.
What are the 5 R's of life? ›
We have created an easy to follow guideline on the 5 R's of Zero Waste Living: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rot. Using this educational information can help make a difference by incorporating small changes into your daily lives in the office and at home. Together we can promote a more sustainable future!
What are the Rs in recycling? ›
The four Rs - Rethink, Reuse, Reduce, Recycle - are a lifestyle for a sustainable future. ways to reuse items whenever possible; reduce consumption to reduce waste. Purchase only items that can be recycled.
What does refuse mean in recycling? ›
Refuse refers to any disposable materials, which includes both recyclable and non-Recyclable Materials. This term is often interchangeably with Waste, but refuse is a broad, overarching term that applies to anything that is leftover after it is used, while waste only refers to leftovers that cannot be recycled.
What is an example of refuse? ›
Examples from Collins dictionaries
She was refused access to her children. The town council had refused permission for the march. He offered me a second drink which I refused. The patient has the right to refuse treatment.
What is recycling in simple words? ›
Recycling is the process of collecting and processing materials that would otherwise be thrown away as trash and turning them into new products. Recycling can benefit your community, the economy, and the environment. Products should only be recycled if they cannot be reduced or reused.
How to refuse waste? ›
Here are some examples of refusing materials:
- Refuse what you do not need.
- Bring your own Tupperware to restaurants.
- Carry a reusable bag in your car or purse.
- Carry a water bottle and hot drink cup.
- Remove your self from junk mail and not desired magazines.
- Request no plastic ware in take-out, if eating at home.
What Is Repurposing? Repurposing is the use of something for a purpose other than its original intended use. Repurposing an item can be done by modifying it to fit a new use, or by using the item as is in a new way. The practice is not limited to physical items.
What does repurpose mean for kids? ›
When you repurpose something, you use it again in an entirely new way. You might decide to repurpose rinsed-out yogurt containers to grow flower seedlings on your windowsill.
What is an example of repair in 5rs? ›
Repairing can be as simple as sewing up a hole, or as dedicated as taking your shoes to a professional cobbler for new soles. Both these examples don't take more than 20 minutes, and could add at least two years to the lifespan of a clothing item.
What are the three recycle words? ›
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – these three 'R' words are an important part of sustainable living, as they help to cut down on the amount of waste we have to throw away.
What is the golden rule of waste management? ›
The golden rules are: Prevent – Avoid producing waste in the first place. Reduce – Minimise the amount of waste you produce. Reuse – Use items as many as possible.
What is the 4 R principle of refuse? ›
Answer: Reduce, reuse, recycle, and recover garbage are all part of the 4-R approach for proper plastic use. The 4-R rule is a garbage and waste stream management strategy that is environmentally sustainable. It divides a waste stream into incremental fractions for reduction, reuse, recycling, and recovery.
What does refuse mean as one of the 6 R's? ›
Refuse - Don't buy something you don't need. Refuse to buy products that cannot be recycled or reused. Reduce - Cut down on the amount of products and services you use. Re-use - Take a product / item and repurpose it for a different item. Repair - Fix, don't replace your products.
What is an example of 6rs refuse? ›
Refuse what you don't need. For example, remove yourself from undesired magazines and door-to-door leaflets and folders. Carry a refillable water bottle and hot drink cup, so you can refuse plastic bottles and single-use cups. Refuse plastic straws by bringing your own or just don't use straws.
What are the things of refuse? ›
Refuse includes garbage and rubbish. Garbage is mostly decomposable food waste or yard waste that is highly putrescible, while rubbish is mostly dry material such as glass, paper, cloth, or wood that does not readily decompose.
