6.4.4

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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Rethink

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

  • Refusing unnecessary items is an essential step in reducing waste.
  • Saying 'no' to items that are harmful to the environment minimises the resources used and waste generated.
    • Single-use or disposable products are harmful to the environment.
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Reduce

  • Reducing consumption is a fundamental aspect of sustainability.
  • Reducing involves consuming less overall.
    • For example, by buying fewer items, using less energy, or minimising waste generation.
  • Adopting a minimalist approach and focusing on essential needs decreases your ecological footprint.
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Reuse

  • Reusing items instead of discarding them helps extend their lifespan.
    • Reusing items reduces the demand for new products.
  • Reusing can involve repairing, repurposing, or sharing items with others.
    • Reusing items gives them a second life.
    • Reusing items reduces waste.
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Recycle

  • Recycling involves the proper separation and processing of materials.
    • Recycled materials are transformed into new products.
    • Paper, plastic, glass, and metals can be recycled.
  • Recycling conserves valuable resources and reduces the waste sent to landfills.
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Repair

  • Items can be repaired instead of discarded.
    • Repairing items allows good quality materials to be within a closed loop cycle.
    • Recycling is not necessary when items are repaired.
  • 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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