What is the difference between reuse reduce and recycle

R3: How can I recycle the products I use? Materials that can be recycled include:. Lead batteries. Are there any more 'R's? Sometimes, two more 'R's can be added to the three basic ones.

Rethink can be added to the start of the list. It means we should think about the way our actions impact the environment. Recover is sometimes added to the end of the list. It refers to the act of putting waste products to use. For example, decomposing garbage produces methane gas, which can be recovered and burnt to produce energy.

Recycling uses old products in new ways. Reduce means to minimise the amount of waste we create. Reuse refers to using items more than once. The way, we handle wastes has a great impact on the global environment, i.

While reuse implies using the same item or natural resource, again and again, recycle alludes to the transformation of waste item to a useful one.

Most of the students, utter confusion in understanding the difference between reuse and recycle, and use them interchangeably, but the thing is, they are different. Take a look at this article to learn the important differences between the two.

Basis for Comparison Reuse Recycle Meaning Reuse, means putting an item to same or a different use, after it has fulfilled its original function. Recycle is a process, wherein a used item is turned into a new product, to reduce waste of potentially useful material. Form Does not change the original form of the product. A new product is created, so form of product is changed.

Harm to environment It does not harm environment, in any way. Recycling reduces waste disposal by transforming useful materials such as plastic, glass and paper into new products.

Although recycling has been a staple of sustainable living for decades, it does have some downsides. A large amount of energy is needed to transport, process and reassemble recyclable materials. Particularly in the UK, recycling can still be a very expensive process. And in some cases, especially with mobile phones and other electronic devices, it can be difficult.

Find tips on how to recycle more effectively here. The reusing process is not about repurposing the materials an object is made of, but repurposing the very object itself. This includes buying and selling used goods and repairing items rather than discarding them. There are also lots of online platforms that can aid this through allowing users to borrow, rent or sell any unwanted items that are still in good condition. Reusing is better than recycling because it saves the energy that comes with having to dismantle and re-manufacture products.

It also significantly reduces waste and pollution because it reduces the need for raw materials, saving both forests and water supplies. The market benefits from reuse thanks to an influx of quality products at reduced prices.

After the Greater London Authority introduced reusing in their sustainability plan a few years ago, 12, tonnes of goods were reused in Read more about why you should reuse before you recycle here.

Some examples of reusing include:. There is no limit to what can and cannot be reused — if you discover a new purpose for an item, reuse it!

Recycling is perhaps the most commonly known of these three terms, however, there is still a need for more people to recycle around the world. Recycling is somewhat the same as reusing, but it refers to more specific items with reusable properties. Examples of common recycled materials include plastic bottles, glass and aluminium — all which can be broken down and repurposed. Now you know the difference between reduce, reuse and recycle, you can put these terms into action and contribute to making our environment greener and healthier.

At Just Skips we value being environmentally friendly, which is why we support reducing, reusing and recycling our waste as much as possible. If you have more questions about the difference between reduce, reuse and recycle or you simply need to hire a skip — give us a call today!