What Are the 5 R’s of Zero Waste?
Zero Waste, as it applies to our homes and how we can be more “green”, has become a popular term in today’s society. However, with the many different waste products that our society creates, it is not uncommon for people to find themselves confused as to what exactly the 5 R I mean when talking about waste. In this article, we will be attempting to clear up any and all confusion surrounding these 5 R’s of Zero Waste.
So, what are the 5 R’s? These are the five factors that make up Zero Waste, which is also commonly referred to as “Green” or “Sustainable Building”. These factors are Recycling, Used Water, Solid Waste and the End-of-Life waste product. These 5 elements cannot be removed from the environment, but by using techniques such as Cleaning Hacks and Water Closet Hacks, they can be minimized, recycled or otherwise eliminated from the building or facility in question.
First and foremost, we must recognize and understand that there is a difference between the way in which waste products are disposed of versus how they are collected by an organization. Many waste collection and recycling companies do not have the appropriate training or tools to handle this waste product properly. This waste is collected through a variety of means, including the traditional landfills, curbside pickup, and vehicle spills. If these waste products are not handled properly, they can pose a health hazard, are a safety hazard, and can damage or even decay the surrounding structures. The water that is removed from these locations can then in turn end up in local streams and rivers, which have the potential to carry disease and other water-damaging contaminants into local waterways.
The next area in which we must recognize and understand the importance of the question, “What are the 5 R’s of Zero Waste?” is in respect to the creation of a product that can effectively and environmentally remove waste products from our environment. Some waste products pose a significant threat to the environment. For example, plastic bags, polystyrene containers, aluminum bottles, tin cans, and paper products, among many others, each possess the potential to contaminate nearby water sources with chemical contaminants. In addition, most of these waste products cannot be recycled, meaning that any resulting product will need to be disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner.
The third area in which we must recognize and understand the importance of the question, “What are the 5 R’s of Zero Waste?” is when it comes to dealing with hazardous waste product, such as hazardous drugs and pharmaceuticals. In many cases, these highly toxic materials require special handling and disposal methods that involve either storing the waste product in an environmental safe storage container or closing down the location where the waste product was produced.
The fourth area in which we must recognize and understand the importance of the question, “What are the 5 R’s of Zero Waste?” is in respect to waste disposal. Any waste product – contaminated food, waste water, chemicals, body fluids, and biodegradable materials, among other waste items – has the potential to potentially harm the environment and to cause environmental damage. In addition, hazardous waste products are typically considered by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) to be “low cost” for the purpose of regulating manufacturing practices. The EPA recognizes that establishing protective systems for these waste products is important to protect public health and to reduce pollution of drinking water supplies.
The fifth area in which we must recognize and understand the importance of the question, “What are the 5 R’s of Zero Waste?” is in respect to the effect that unwanted waste products have on landfill space. Most landfills are already overstocked, meaning that there are far more wastes manufactured than could ever be disposed of. This excess of wastes is typically composed of plastic bags, metal scraps, aluminum cans, and paper. While it may seem convenient to simply dump all of these waste products into the environment, such an act would actually create more problems than it solved.
The EPA recognizes the necessity for establishing and maintaining protective waste disposal and recycling systems. For this reason, they have defined five areas of zero waste activities in the various sectors that they regulate. These are: residential waste, commercial waste, industrial waste, agricultural waste, and mobile electronics waste. While it is true that the question, “What are the 5 R’s of zero waste?” can be difficult to answer, it is helpful to take all of the aforementioned factors into consideration as you consider the possibility of establishing a solid waste diversion or disposal system for your organization.
