The 7 R’s and the Hierarchy of Waste Management — This Green Lifestyle

Next, one of the most critical principles of the more nuanced hierarchy of waste management is refusing anything that doesn’t match up with a zero waste system. This principle is an obvious one for consumers, who can influence bottom-up change by refusing items that they don’t need.

For example, you can say “no” to single-use plastics whenever possible (bring your own utensils or coffee mug instead), and refuse items that you don’t really need, even free ones.

Not only does this signal to producers to shift their production models, but it has the added benefit of keeping your own life clutter-free.

When it comes to fashion, refuse fast fashion as much as possible and choose sustainable fashion alternatives instead.

Reduce

Reduce and refuse go hand in hand, though reducing takes things a step further than simply saying “no.” Reducing is one of the most effective ways to reduce the generation of waste to begin with.

Consumers can make many choices to reduce waste. For example, you can bring your own reusable shopping bags to grocery stores, an action that is now incentivized in states such as California and Oregon, where plastic bags are banned and even paper bags incur an additional fee.

Other ways to reduce include:

  • Purchasing quality products that last longer

  • Purchasing products with eco-friendly packaging (paper bags, cardboard boxes, or glass jars instead of plastic ones)

  • For producers, redesigning products to last longer, and packaging to be more sustainable

  • Buying in bulk; some grocery stores allow you to bring your own containers for bulk shopping, or you can simply opt for the larger, more concentrated size (if bulk quantity is too much, consider sharing with friends or family)

  • Buying unpackaged fruits and vegetables, and bringing your own produce bags to the store

  • Avoiding single use plastics and other single use items such as paper plates

  • Using two-sided printing when possible

  • Opting in to paperless billing

  • Unsubscribing from paper magazines, newspapers, and catalogs

  • Using cloth napkins and cloths instead of paper ones

Reuse

While reducing is a critical step in the waste hierarchy, it’s also important to recognize that as consumers we only have so much control over what we can and can’t buy. The next logical step is to reuse and repurpose items whenever possible.

Plastic take-out containers and glass jars can be reused as tupperware. Plastic jugs and bottles, amongst other items, can be repurposed in the garden. Things considered trash can be turned into a piece of art. If you need inspiration, the internet is full of DIY guides.

Finally, instead of tossing something that still has some life left in it, consider selling or donating it instead. “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” after all. Check out Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or your local consignment and thrift stores for great places to sell and donate.

Repair

Too often, we throw away something that could be repaired instead. Many everyday items, from clothes to appliances, can be repaired or mended once or even many times, before they have no more life left in them.

Whether you want to try your hand at DIY repairs or are willing to pay a craftsperson instead, repairing is a sustainable way to keep items (especially bulky ones) in circulation. Cars, furniture, appliances, clothes, and electronics are all common examples of repairable items, though almost anything can be repaired if you set your mind to it.

In the same vein, think about buying items secondhand. Many appliances and electronics can be purchased “certified refurbished” which means they’re as good as new, for a fraction of the cost.

Also consider how you take care of your items; do you do everything you can to make sure they’ll have a long life? Don’t just abuse your phone because you’ve already resigned yourself to buying a new one in a couple of years. Challenge yourself, and see how long it’ll function when you take good care of it instead!

Recycle

If an item has no more reasonable use left, it might be time to recycle it. Although recycling rules vary from municipality to municipality, common recyclable materials include glass, paper, and aluminum.

When it comes to plastic, it’s best to check with your local guide. You can also check out Waste Management’s recycle right guide for additional information and legislation.

Keep in mind, while recycling is designed to keep valuable (and limited) materials in circulation, it’s still a process that requires an immense amount of resources and energy, so we shouldn’t rely on it alone. That said, recycling is key to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and water pollutants, and saves energy when compared to the production/extraction of virgin materials.

But don’t just “wishcycle” your way into complacency. Don’t just chuck everything you think could be recycled into the bin; too many non-recyclables can doom an entire batch to the landfill, doing more harm than good. Check with your local waste management company to learn what you can and can’t recycle in your area.

Similarly, recycling can be deemed contaminated if there’s too much food waste. Do a quick rinse of cans and food containers before adding them to the bin to prevent this.