Protecting the planet from its spiralling waste problem by recycling is one of the most important things we can do, but did you know there are actually five Rs to the process?
Basically, the five Rs are: refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose and recycle. This means that before you recycle anything, consider whether it can be refused or reduced. Before that happens, though, try to reuse or repurpose it. Once you’ve come to the end of each of these steps and it still hasn’t become waste, then, by all means, recycle whatever is left over.
1. Refuse
First up, you may begin by saying “no” to products with unnecessary packaging. Start by saying no to plastic bags at the supermarket and disposable cups at the coffee shop. It’s easy to do because you must bring a reusable bag to the grocery store and a quality cup to the café.
Consider products you commonly use as reusable items that could replace that. For example, why not purchase cleaning brushes or kitchen towels instead of using disposable cleaning wipes or paper towels.
2. Reduce
It is obvious that you can’t refuse everything that you know is bad for the environment. For example, you might occasionally buy products without thinking about their negative impact on the planet.
However, consider reducing your consumption when you can’t refuse certain items, such as at the supermarket. For instance, you can refuse to buy many different items by purchasing one item of a larger size instead. Then you will not only be saying no to the excessive packaging but will also have extra money left over for your budget.
If you want to avoid wasting food, you should make use of every part of what you buy. For example, once you’ve harvested the leaves from a herb plant, the stalks can still be used to add flavour to broths and soups. You should also keep track of what you have at home so that you don’t throw out food before it goes bad; then, only buy what you need.
It’s better to use your own jars than to buy products in packages, and it’s better to print on both sides of a sheet of paper than to just print on one. And if you’ve worked or studied in an office that encourages turning scrap paper into scrapbooks, you may already be familiar with this.
3. Reuse
Employees can start with the simple act of reusing single-use plastic bottles and cutlery that, unlike other types of items employees aren’t allowed to keep, can be used several times before they need to be thrown away. For instance, unlike paper plates and cups, which only make the office look untidy, employees can reuse plastic coffee cups around the office by washing them after each use. Doing so not only helps the environment but also saves money and time.
Office managers can eliminate this waste entirely by purchasing each member of their office an inexpensive, personalised mug. To get the most use out of a mug, wash it in the office dishwasher instead of throwing it away when it becomes dirty. It’s also important to make an effort to give away any items you’re not going to reuse, such as clothing you haven’t worn in years.
Donating them to a local charity shop or placing them in a second-hand auction can create a win-win scenario for everyone involved: the donor receives a tax break, and the receiving charity gets much-needed supplies. Diversifying what you reuse is also essential for getting the most out of your toolkit. For example, by adding strong glue to the kit, you can recycle an item that would ordinarily wind up in the rubbish bin.
4. Repurpose
This can be better explained with an example. Plastic bottles can be reused by putting them back on the shelf; however, if you use a plastic bottle to create a slow watering system for plants while you’re away, you’re repurposing it. The best way to repurpose your materials is to think of how the items could be used rather than how they can be used up. For example, instead of throwing away old pieces of aluminium foil, you can reuse them as compost material. A composting bin is also a great way to repurpose waste that can’t be recycled, such as coffee grounds and vegetable and fruit peelings.
If you’re looking to get the most use out of a piece of furniture, clearly, you should purchase it second-hand. Buy sturdy furniture that can last for many years if you plan to keep it for more than a decade. Items you plan to purchase new, such as electronics, should be purchased on an “apple-to-apple” comparison: the newer models never seem to last as long.
5. Recycle
These days, it’s the first R in the five Rs that most people know about and that we discuss most often. However, it’s the last one that will help us to save our planet from its waste problem.
When you put something in a bin, you might as well empty it straight in the trash because you’ll just be passing it on to someone else to deal with. So, if you’re going to recycle, be sure to separate out all of your waste and put it in the appropriate bins. For example, in your office, you can put your plastic in one bin, paper in another and metallic, glass and other materials in yet another. This can all be done using a bin system.
When you’re thinking about the five Rs of waste management, you should keep in mind that the process is fluid. This means that everything you put into the recycling bin may not be on the shelf with other products. The process of recycling is often lengthy, involving the creation of a by-product. For example, waste that you put in the recycling bin often has to go through several processes before it finally becomes a new product.
For example, your office may have a recycling program that takes paper, plastic and glass. Paper is then often sent to a paper manufacturer, while plastic and glass are sent to a plastic and glass manufacturer. Once there, the plastic and glass are melted down and made into new products.
Conclusion
In summary, the five Rs of waste management should help you to reduce waste, use items long past their expiration date, donate what you don’t need to someone else, and dispose of your waste in a way that is friendly to the world. By keeping this in mind, everyone can contribute to the betterment of the environment.
If you are looking to hire a skip in Cheshire, UK, look no further than our services here at Enviro Skip Hire. We are a family-run skip hire and aggregate company servicing Staffordshire. Check out our page for more of our wide range of skip sizes and aggregates.
