4Rs – Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Sustainability is not measured by the amount of materials recycled.  In fact, recycling must be the last action in the lifecycle of any product.

Sustainability can be achieved by reducing consumption and waste.  So the first action is to refuse – if you don’t need it, don’t take it even if it is free.  Do you really need to print those emails, minutes or notes?  Can you just read it off the computer?

If you cannot do without it can you do it with less?  Reduce your use of resources.  If you must print those notes, print on both sides of the paper and print only one copy for common reference instead of one copy for each member of your committee or team.

Now that you have bought it (or printed it), prolong its life.  Reuse it as many times as you can.  Papers printed on one side can be used for writing notes on the side which is not printed.  Boxes used transport that new printer or computer can be reused as recycling bins.

Only when the product has reached the end of its useful life should it be sent for recycling.  Don’t buy a product just because it can be recycled.  Start from the first R, refuse.  Ask yourselves - “Do I really need this?”, “Can I do without it?”.

 

Created By USM Students