Scribd
Upload
25 views8 pages

How To Implement The 5 R

The document outlines the 5 R's of waste management: refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, and recycle. It describes each R in detail with examples of how to implement them to reduce business waste, such as refusing single-use plastics, reducing packaging and printing double-sided, reusing items in the workplace, repurposing materials for new uses, and recycling remaining waste.

Uploaded by

Sherilyn Apostol
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
25 views8 pages

How To Implement The 5 R

The document outlines the 5 R's of waste management: refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, and recycle. It describes each R in detail with examples of how to implement them to reduce business waste, such as refusing single-use plastics, reducing packaging and printing double-sided, reusing items in the workplace, repurposing materials for new uses, and recycling remaining waste.

Uploaded by

Sherilyn Apostol
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 8

How to implement the 5 R’s of Waste Management

If you want to positively impact the outcome of your recycling program by


reducing the amount of waste your company produces, this is the process you
really need to consider. Always remember to treat recycling as a last resort
and always try to follow the R pyramid in order to ensure that you can be as
efficient as possible with your business waste.

Step One: Refuse


The first step of the 5 R process. This can be a difficult one as you will have to
practice refusing waste production for your business, however it this will be
the most effective way to minimise waste. How? Well, by simply refusing to
use single-use plastics or wasteful, non-recyclable products, you can
ultimately reduce the amount of waste your business produces on the daily.

Ideally, you will want to talk to your procurement team to work out how you
can approach this step most effectively. When you work with vendors or
suppliers try to avoid working with unnecessary product packaging and
attempt to opt for reusable or returnable packaging and containers.

By making smarter buying decisions and setting efficient standards early on in


the process, this will make it much more easier for organisations to ‘refuse’
using waste that they don’t ultimately need or would turn out wasteful.
Step Two: Reduce

This is all about reducing your use of harmful, wasteful and non-recyclable
materials to save you money, help the environment and so on. By limiting your
dependency on these types of products, this leads to less waste materials
ending up in landfill and prevents you from creating negative impacts on the
environment.

We would always advise using the minimal amount required to avoid excess
waste as these material and energy could then be used for future
requirements. Once good example would be when printing a document, print
double-sided to slash your waste output in half. Other methods involve
reducing the amount of single-use plastics, plastic packaging and organic
waste.

Step Three: Reuse

Single use plastics such as cups, straws, gloves and now masks have
generated a ‘throw away’, ‘one won’t hurt’ culture. The rate that we all
consume plastic products is drastically becoming unimaginable, the plastic
crisis has always been one of the world’s biggest environmental challenges. In
a race to reduce waste, businesses are prompted to reuse items in the
workplace instead of replacing them.
All you need to do is start by focusing on a particular area within your
business at one time, for instance the work kitchen. Try to replace all the
single use utensils and equipment for compostable and reusable options.
Once you successful master on environment in your business, find ways to
reuse other products such as protective packaging, ink cartridges, food
containers and even rechargeable batteries.

Step Four: Repurpose


If you can’t refuse, reduce or reuse a particular item, try repurposing it instead.
The ‘green’ community often refers to this method as ‘upcycling’. You will
quite often be surprised to learn how many everyday objects in the office can
serve more than one purpose.

Sometimes, it will involve some imagination and creativity, but there are
limitless possibilities with upcycling common objects found in the workplace.
Try using leftover cardboard boxes for storage, leftover cups and mugs as
stationary holders and even using binder clips to hold together small wires.

You could even designate a small space to an ‘upcycling station’ and here you
can collect and store items that you can reuse for convenient purposes later
on. Also, encourage your colleagues and visitors to leave behind their
‘unusable items’ and see what you can come up with to ensure they can still
be effectively used.
Step Five: Recycle

Last, but not least at all, we have recycle! Once you’ve ventured through all
the other R’s, recycling is the most eco-friendly waste disposal method. If your
business doesn’t recycle already, start by compiling cardboard, paper
products, plastics, glass and organics. A lot of companies when they start
recycling are instantly surprised by the amount of waste they reduce by
implementing an effective recycling program.

Conclusion
So, after reading this, which of the 5 R’s could you introduce or improve on in
your business? Strategise how you can approach your current waste
production and disposal and see where you can make improvements for both
the benefit of your business and the environment.
Let us know in the comments if you have any questions regarding these
methods and if you like feel free to set up a time to have a chat with one of our
friendly team members to discuss what actions you can take!

You might also like

pFad - Phonifier reborn

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.

Note: This service is not intended for secure transactions such as banking, social media, email, or purchasing. Use at your own risk. We assume no liability whatsoever for broken pages.


Alternative Proxies:

Alternative Proxy

pFad Proxy

pFad v3 Proxy

pFad v4 Proxy