We’ve all probably heard of the phrase “reduce, reuse, recycle.” But do you know about the other two “Rs”? 

The Five Rs: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rot

The Five Rs are guiding principles for reducing the waste we produce, and they follow a specific order. Here’s the hierarchy in order of importance, and more information on each of the Rs:

• Refuse: This is the first and leading principle that tells us to refuse anything we don’t really need. Even if it’s free, if you don’t really need it, say no. Politely decline knick-knacks and other promotional freebies, single-use items like utensils, cups and food ware, and anything else that isn’t truly essential in our lives. This is the first step to cutting down on our waste. 

• Reduce: Reducing goes along with refusing, in terms of thinking about what is actually needed and cutting out what is not. Whenever possible, we can make choices to reduce the things we use, such as bringing our own bags to the grocery store, our own water bottle to events or a reusable cup to the coffee shop.

• Reuse: It’s important to note that reuse comes before recycling, and this means that whenever possible, we should see if items can be repurposed. Old pasta jars, for example, can be repurposed as containers for dried food items.

  Reuse also means that instead of tossing something out that we don’t need anymore, if it is still usable we can donate it or give it to somebody who can continue to use it. BuyNothing groups, Freecycle and Craigslist are all great ways to donate gently-used items or find an item you may need yourself. There are numerous thrift stores in San José that will take items you discard as well. 

• Recycle: If we are unable to reuse items, and they are recyclable, we can recycle them so the material can be converted into something new. While recycling is a way to extend the lifespan of a material, it still requires resources and energy. Some materials, like plastic, have a limited number of times they can be recycled before their quality is diminished and they can no longer be recycled. Visit SanJoseRecycles.org to learn more about what you can recycle in San José. 

• Rot: And finally, rot means creating a valuable resource from food waste and organics by home composting. Recycle your fruits, vegetables, and yard trimmings into a nutrient-rich soil fertilizer that helps your garden grow while reducing waste to the landfill. Sign up for a free online home composting class to get started and learn the basics. Unable to have your own home compost pile? No problem. Here in San José, organics from your garbage are separated after collection and composted. Learn more about the process here.

And that’s the Five Rs. By following these guiding principles, we take steps towards reducing our waste and keeping valuable items out of the landfill and reducing our impact on the planet!

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