Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle (R3) are the three essential components of environmentally-responsible consumer behavior. R3 is sometimes called the waste hierarchy.

The concept behind the first R: Reduce, is that you should limit the number of purchases that you make in the first place. For example, turning off the lights and taking shorter showers,

The concept behind the second R: Reuse, is that you should reuse items as much as possible before replacing them. For example, it generally makes more environmental sense to update your computer rather than get rid of it and buy a new one. However, if you do replace your computer, you should ensure that it, or its components, are reused. Many charitable organizations welcome donations of second-hand computers.

The concept behind the third R: Recycle, is that you should ensure that items or their components are put to some new purpose as much as possible. If your computer is not fit for reuse as is, you can donate it to one of several organizations which will refurbish it or recycle its components.