4.3.3

Metals: The Six R's

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The Six R's

The six R's is a concept that promotes sustainable consumption and waste management.

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Reduce

  • Reducing consumption is a key aspect of sustainability.
  • Reducing means consuming less overall.
    • For example, buying fewer items, using less energy, and minimising waste generation.
  • By adopting a minimalist approach, you can decrease your ecological footprint.
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Refuse

  • Refusing unnecessary items is an essential step in reducing waste.
  • Single-use and disposable products produce excess waste.
    • By saying no to items that are harmful to the environment, you can minimise the waste generated.
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Rethink

  • Rethinking encourages people to reconsider their consumption patterns.
    • This involves questioning the need for certain products or activities.
    • This involves exploring alternative options.
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Reuse

  • Reusing items helps extend their lifespan and reduces the demand for new products.
    • Reusing can involve repairing, repurposing, or sharing items with others.
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Recycle

  • Recycling is the proper separation and processing of materials.
    • Recycled materials are transformed into new products.
  • Recyclable materials include paper, plastic, glass, and metals.
  • By recycling materials, valuable resources can be conserved and the amount of waste sent to landfills can be reduced.
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Repair

  • Items can be repaired instead of discarded.
    • Repairing can allow for good-quality materials to be within a closed-loop cycle.
    • Recycling will not be necessary.
  • Repairing is one of the most environmentally friendly ways to keep products lasting longer.

Jump to other topics

1Core Technical Principles

2Paper & Board: Specialist Technical Principles

3Timber: Specialist Technical Principles

4Metal: Specialist Technical Principles

5Polymers: Specialist Technical Principles

6Textiles: Specialist Technical Principles

7Designing & Making Principles

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