The Five R’s - Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, then Recycle

Here at the Hub, it’s pretty obvious we LOVE recycling! It’s a necessary step in creating a more circular economy and eliminating the materials that go to the landfill. But did you know that recycling should almost be considered a last resort? There are four steps you should try to take before recycling an item - read on to learn what each of these options are and get a few examples to apply to your own waste reduction practices. 

REFUSE

Refusing new items is the first defense against sending more material to the landfill. Think about all the things you are regularly offered on a daily basis - from small items like keychains and logo-emblazoned pens, to large items that can be delivered to your house in a day via online shopping, it may feel impossible not to accept new items into your life! Whether it is a single-use item or something you plan to use repeatedly, take some time to think about whether it is something you really want or need. Will it inevitably end up in a donation box or garbage can soon? That’s likely a sign you don’t really need it - either don’t make the purchase, or politely refuse a free item!

REDUCE

Next, reduce the items you use and accept. This could mean replacing single use items with reusable alternatives, or being more selective about the packaging that your purchases come in. Consider buying from bulk or low-waste stores that minimize packaging, and consider reusable alternatives for items like plastic dishes or paper towels. Whenever you throw something away, consider alternatives - could you switch paper bills to electronic to avoid the mail waste? Could you use a refillable water bottle instead of buying disposable plastic bottles? If you’re up for it, consider taking an inventory of the trash you throw away in a week to see what the worst culprits are. 

REUSE

Reuse goes hand in hand with reduce - in order to reduce the items you accept and send to the landfill, consider reusable alternatives. Additionally, buying secondhand is a form of reuse! If you are looking for a new item to fill a need in your home, check out local thrift stores, buy nothing pages on Facebook, yard sales, or other local resources. Often, you can find the item you are looking for in great condition, and for a lower price than it would be brand new! Make sure you share the love by also selling or giving away unwanted, reusable items. Reusing items reduces the need for new goods to be produced, single-use or otherwise. 

REPURPOSE

Finally, before recycling, you may be able to find new life for an item by repurposing it. Clothing that is no longer wearable or mendable may not be something you can donate, but the fabric could be used for another project. There are many resources online that provide ideas for repurposing household items - get creative! 

The Hub is a great place to look for reusable or repurposable items, as well as to drop off items others might want. Please be sure to donate items to thrift stores or other organizations first before dropping them off at the Hub - as above, we want to prioritize reuse over repurposing when possible. If you’d like to shop the Hub for reuse items, start here!

RECYCLING
Once you have gone through the steps to Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, and Repurpose, remaining items can be recycled - through Rumpke, the Hub, or other recycling outlets. By now, you’re probably an expert on recycling, but take a look at our Resource page or What We Take pages for more information if you have questions. 

ROT

Some folks also consider a 6th step - ROT! Organic items can be composted into fertilizer, rather than being sent to the landfill. A future blog entry will detail more about how to start composting at home or with a local organization, but you can always get started now!

How are you implementing these steps into your daily life? Share your strategies and ideas below - and as always, happy recycling!