The issue of waste management has been a constant source of debate for a few years now. Governments and private sector players are constantly looking for innovative ways to manage waste, especially in urban areas. At the heart of all these innovations and technologies are the 3R principles of waste management. We take a deep dive into the individual principles in this article.

The 3Rs Of Waste Management Explained

In order to understand and appreciate the importance of managing waste for sustainability, we need to understand what the so-called 3R principles are all about in the context of waste management and production and consumption. It’s not exactly clear where the origin of the 3R principle is but they have used widely to inform modern waste management initiatives and sustainable practices across the world. Here is what the 3Rs stand for

1)   Reduce- Cutting Down on The Amount Of Waste You Produce

This is the first principle, and perhaps one that requires a lot of work from all players to make it more effective. The overarching argument when it comes to waste management is to encourage people, companies and other institutions to reduce the amount of waste they create by adopting a few principles and practices such as;

  • Reducing packaging or avoiding over-packaged products in the first place
  • Buying products in bulk to minimize packaging needs
  • Using non-disposable items such as utensils and cutlery
  • Reducing paper in offices by using electronic means of communication and data storage.
  • Refrigeration to increase product shelf life and reduce wastage
  • Adopting a minimalistic lifestyle devoid of unwanted items that may end up in the trash.
  • Among others

2)   Reuse- Repurposing or Redeploying Already Used Items/Products

Reuse is the second principle in the 3Rs of waste management. It refers to the principle of having more than one use for an item instead of dumping it in the trash. Many things in homes and offices can be reused or repurposed to extend their life instead of being trashed. Here are some practical examples of ways that we can put this principle into practice.

  • Using old tires to make new items e.g., tables, landscaping decorations among others
  • Saving packaging items and reusing them for other storage and packaging needs. For instance, used cartons can be stored and used to package original items or other things when moving or when you need to pack other stuff. There has been a concerted push around the world towards the banning of single-use plastics which include packaging items. Canada became one of the first Big economies to implement the ban on the single-use plastics mid-2019.
  • Selling used items to be used elsewhere- Used clothing, electronics, toys, and other stuff doesn’t have to land in the landfills. They can be sold or donated to be reused elsewhere in the world, thus reducing the waste burden in the short and long term.
  • Avoid disposable items- This principle transcends all the 3Rs as the use of disposable items such as paper utensils are one of the biggest culprits in the waste management problem we are experiencing today. People are encouraged to use reusable items such as ceramic utensils to aid the management of waste in their localities.

3)   Recycling

The third and perhaps the most important principle in the 3Rs of waste management is recycling. This refers to the turning of trash into similar or different products that can be resold or reintroduced into the economy. There are companies out there engaged in the recycling and reuse of waste products into useful products that can be used in the marketplace. Here are some examples of recycling being done today.

  • Paper made from recycled material
  • Producing biofuels from biological byproducts
  • Recycling plastic to create new packaging material
  • Use of reclaimed wood to make furniture
  • Using byproducts to make biogas and biofuel manufacturing for sustainable and clean energy production
  • Among many other examples.

In Conclusion

There is so much to be gained if companies, governments, and individuals across the world adopt the 3R principles and incorporate them into their sustainable waste management programs. As is always the case, it’s not about what is on paper but what is implemented on the ground that matters.