In efforts to make our environment more eco-friendly and breathable, the 5R principle is applied under waste management. With its help, we can come up with ideas to use waste creatively and reach a place where we avoid as much waste as we can and lead a better life. The 5R principle refers to the waste management process done before ‘recycling’ through refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, and then recycle. This method when incorporated into the business’ waster reduction and recycling helps to take the recycling program to the next level and minimizes landfill waste.
What is the 5R principle?
REFUSE
When working with vendors request returnable or reusable containers and refuse unnecessary product packaging. It’s also easier for organizations to ‘refuse’ waste in the first place by making smarter purchasing decisions and setting expectations and standards early in the process.
REDUCE
This involves reducing the use of non-recyclable, wasteful, and harmful products. This achieves fewer waste materials ending up in landfills and the associated negative environmental impacts. To avoid unnecessary waste, it’s recommended to always use the minimum amount required.
REUSE
One of the world’s greatest environmental challenges is the plastic crisis due to the high rate at which we consume plastics. It’s normal consumer behavior of using single-use plastics once and then throw them away. Consider reusing items throughout the workplace instead of buying new ones to reduce waste. Also, replace all of the single-use eating utensils with paper plates that are reusable or compostable.
REPURPOSE
Try repurposing every item that can’t be reduced, reused, or recycled. Many common office products serve more than one purpose though sometimes it requires creativity. This process is also known as upcycling. Tin cans, mason jars can be used for holding pencils and pens.
RECYCLE
This is the most environmentally friendly waste disposal method of all the other R’s. With an effective recycling program, most companies have been able to reduce the amount of waste they’ve produced.
Why is it important?
It’s eco-friendly
The main goal of the 5R principle is to benefit the environment by reducing harmful, non-recyclable, and wasteful materials to compostable and recyclable alternatives. This has led to a decrease of hazardous waste in the landfills and saved both human and aquatic life.
Encourages creativity
With repurposing of items that can’t be reduced, refused, or reused, staff and other stakeholders can figure out how the item can be used in the organization. This allows them to think outside the box and find another use for the item that is going to help with better waste management.
It saves many natural resources
Gas, trees, and water are depleting nowadays due to the need for manufacturing materials. Paper key cards are used daily and are made from trees. New trees don’t have enough time to fully grow and replace the huge areas of trees cut down yearly. Reforestation does so much when implemented.
Curbs pollution
By producing various products, humanity pollutes the environment leaving a lot of waste. Plastic factories pollute the atmosphere with smoke during manufacture. This has led to land and air pollution that has resulted in serious medical conditions in animals, humans, and even plants.
It saves on energy
Recycling an item saves the energy that was going to be used to produce a new item. It is possible to get energy from recycling plastic because the recycling process produces energy. All over the world, individuals and companies are starting to produce fuel from waste plastic. This can keep enormous amounts of plastic out of landfills and oceans.
It saves money
Companies save more money when they reduce their usage of wasteful and harmful materials. Due to the reduction of harmful materials, companies save money on garbage disposal.
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