Recycling! Can we do better?
My workplace decided to start a collection of plastic bottles, cans and paper in order to recycle this waste. A very good idea however I get the feeling that this enthusiasm to recycle does stop people thinking of other possibilities. Reuse of products is a preferable option that doesn`t require a huge infrastructure to make it work. the waste hierarchy looks like this:
Re-use
Recycle
Dispose
Recycling is often the best solution but if we take a moment to ask is a product`s life can be increased by re-use then perhaps we can do better.
My workplace decided to start a collection of plastic bottles, cans and paper in order to recycle this waste. A very good idea however I get the feeling that this enthusiasm to recycle does stop people thinking of other possibilities. Reuse of products is a preferable option that doesn`t require a huge infrastructure to make it work. the waste hierarchy looks like this:
Re-use
Recycle
Dispose
Recycling is often the best solution but if we take a moment to ask is a product`s life can be increased by re-use then perhaps we can do better.
Labels: Waste Hierarchy
posted by ianinjesi at 7:34 AM
7 Comments:
I think you've got to go even earlier in the lifecycle: at product conception, design for re-usability and recyclability.
Similarly, at the design stage think about minimizing the material that would typically be recycled (or re-used).
A simple example: packaging.
How many times do you open an article and think "is all this paper, carton, 'n' plastic really necessary?"
If the article is American, you don't even think that: you just shake your head.
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Good point Sixtae! I think we`re on a roll with this. Cheers and welcome to the blog.
Come on the Bhoys!
Not recyclable but re-useable? Interesting take and I agree about the amount of packaging that products are dressed up in is a major problem.
Supermarkets, I remember reading are trying to do away with packaging…but if you go to yer local butcher, fruit shop etc….they have no packing or very little.
Local shops for local people…..
I recycle but I sometimes wonder what is the point when China opens a Nuclear power station every week and the Americans drive SUV’s and their government don’t have a climate policy worth a salt.
Also, I’m also coming round to the thought that maybe the earth climate is just changing as it’s on natural cycle like it has done before- Ice Age etc.
Maybe it doesn’t matter what we do the earth will change.
So that`s what act local, think global was all about or was it the other way round?
When we buy anything we should think about what we are going to do with the packaging.
Designing for re use creates the least need for recycling or throwing away.
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