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3.4.3. Reduction, Reuse and Recycle

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – these three 'R' words play an important role in sustainable living, as they help
to cut down on the amount of waste we have to throw away. In order to tackle climate change people
should reduce what they consume, reuse what they already have and recycle what is no longer needed.
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However, taking a step further to zero waste living, 3 more Rs have been added: Refuse, Repair and
Rethink (see additional resources for more Rs).

Reduce the amount of produced waste and limit the number of the things you buy in the
first place.

Reuse items as much as possible before replacing them.

Recycle items or their components wherever possible and put them to some new purpose
as much as possible.

Refuse single-use products, such as bags, packaging, cups, straws.

Repair stuff before tossing it and buying new.

Rethink before taking a decision and make more rational and
environmentally conscious choices.

Using the 6 'R's also helps to minimise the amount of space needed for landfill sites, where waste
materials are disposed of.
Ask them how can they:

- reduce the amount of waste they produce?
→ Turning off the lights and taking shorter showers reduces the energy and water you
consume.

- reuse what they have?
→ Updating your computer rather than getting rid of it and buy a new one makes more
environmental sense.

- recycle what they use?

→ A computer that isn’t fit for reuse anymore, it can be donated to one of several
organizations which can refurbish it or recycle its components. (Solar Schools, n.d.)
- refuse single-use plastics?

→ Bringing a reusable bag, straw, cutlery, cups will help refusing single-use plastics.

- repair something broken?

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This communication reflects the
views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the

information contained therein.