Reduce, reuse, and recycle are the three “R’s” principles that promote environmental sustainability through waste reduction and sustainable practices. They are properly written and arranged in ascending order based on their impact on the environment.
According to a publication by NC State Extension, the first “R”, reduce refers to eliminating or decreasing generated waste or reducing the toxicity of the materials. The second “R”, reuse refers to the action of taking products that would have ended up in a dumpster and using them again or upgrading by making few repairs or changes. Lastly, the third “R”, recycling is a sustainable option that involves collecting used materials and remaking them into new ones.1
These three “R” ensure waste reduction, which in turn minimizes the effect of pollution and environmental contamination. However, these activities still consume a small amount of energy and resources. The pollution rate is far lower in the recycling process than in manufacturing new products, which involves extracting raw materials from the natural environment.
So it is reuse over recycle when you consider the process involved in minimizing waste materials
Reuse
Reuse simply describes using a valuable item over and over again instead of discarding it for new ones. It’s quite different from recycling and is mostly considered as a second option before recycling.
Reusing a specific item is more sustainable compared to recycling as the latter generally involves a system of processing that consumes energy and resources to yield results. Reusing inspires creativity to transform what could have otherwise ended in landfills into something useful.
Reusing requires little to zero energy and resource consumption, as the original form and purpose of the item is not changed. For example, you can turn old clothing or sheets into cleaning rags, or reuse old paper bags for book covers or as gift wrapping. This process is more sustainable than recycling, which involves breaking down the items into raw materials before using them to produce something new—consuming more energy and resources in the process.
Sustainably, the advantages over recycling include the conservation of resources, reduction of the waste stream, less pollution, and providing items to eco-minded individuals who prefer repurposing.
Learn more: Are Biodegradable Plastic Bags Good for the Environment?
Recycling
Recycling is a waste reduction process and remanufacturing of newer products with used materials collected and processed chemically and mechanically. The third “R” is ranked lower than reuse.
It’s a sustainable and reliable process for various materials contributing to the global waste problem. The three “R” exist to ensure environmental sustainability is achieved. Reuse is more important than recycling because it confronts the issue of waste reduction in a more effective manner than recycling.
Reuse Is Better than Recycle
It Consumes Less Energy
Compared to recycling, reusing old items consumes far less energy. Although energy consumed is far less compared to when new products are manufactured, the process is still energy-intensive.
Firstly, certified recycling facilities may be miles away from your residence. This means you have to drive, probably with a gasoline-powered vehicle to the facility which emits carbon dioxide(CO2), a greenhouse gasses (GHG)—contributing to climate change.
Furthermore, the process of recycling involves sorting and other processes where machinery is used to make a fine product from used materials. For example, a heating system is usually operated in the remanufacturing of materials such as glass, plastics, and metals.
It’s no doubt that recycling reduces waste sent to landfills. It’s a process that promotes sustainability but considering every process involved, reusing old items is preferably more sustainable.
Little to Zero Pollution
Reusing regular household items results in little to zero pollution. Supplies for repurposing items are usually handpicked and the entire process of reusing is eco-friendly. Repurposing old items is a better way to avoid dumping stuff in landfills. Recycling also plays a part in reducing waste sent to landfills, but on the standard of being more eco-friendly, it’s better to reuse old stuff than recycle.
Illegal waste disposal is a global issue that the three “R” principles intend to minimize. Reusing is a practice that we should adopt to decrease the rate at which old or used items are dumped in landfills.
In terms of waste reduction, it comes on top as a more sustainable alternative than recycling.
Learn more: 20 Zero-Waste Examples
Preserves Natural Resources
Sustainably conserving resources by being creative with repurposing ideas for old items, the decision to remake protects the environment just as recycling does.
Reusing or recycling old items conserves natural resources and at the same time prevents environmental pollution. Extracting raw materials for production causes irreparable damage to the environment.
The most devastating one is deforestation, which is currently happening at an alarming rate. With reusing and recycling, the paper and pulp industry would have destroyed more to maintain their production standard.
Recycling a ton of paper can save almost twenty 30-foot-tall trees in natural forests. Water consumption would have also reached 7,000 gallons with over 4,000 kilowatts hour of energy consumed.
Reusing ensures resources are conserved. When we prioritise reusing over discarding old items, they last and remain useful for various purposes. Items such as glass bottles and jars are durable and suitable for reuse as food storage containers.
Reusing is the most effective way to reduce waste, pollution, and conserve resources. It is 100% sustainable and the way forward toward building a sustainable future.
Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emission
Increased rate of greenhouse gas emission is a catalyst for global warming. Dumping and incinerating solid waste at landfills is impacting climate change, which disrupts weather patterns.
Reusing cuts down greenhouse gas emissions by 95%. It creates little to zero carbon emissions compared to recycling or remaking new products from used materials. The system of sorting, processing, and recycling involves using heavy machinery, which in turn leaves a small carbon footprint.
Learn more: How to Recycle Paper Bags
Ideas on How to Reuse
- Consider Buying Green Before You Shop: According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), you can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by thinking and opting for green products when you shop. “Green” products refer to environmentally friendly products with less effect on our environment.2
- Repurpose Old Items: This explains the sustainable idea of the topic to reduce global waste generation and pollution. Reusing old items like glass jars and bottles, cloth grocery bags, old clothing, and containers helps reduce waste that might otherwise end up in landfills.
Conclusion
The world is already struggling to reduce solid waste contaminating the environment. Reusing is the gentler handling of used items to make homemade items by simply collecting other used materials. To reuse means little to zero energy and resource consumption, it’s better compared to recycling.
Sources
- Before you recycle, choose to reuse | NC State Extension Publications. (n.d.). ↩︎
- Reducing and reusing basics | US EPA. (2024, April 10). US EPA. ↩︎