The 5 R’s of Waste Management: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle

By Rise Riyo,
Community Outreach Manager, ZeroIn

So many of us are already doing our very best to be more conscientious when it comes to our purchasing decisions and disposal practices. As a small business owner of an online aromatherapy shop, my goal is aimed at practicing waste minimization throughout my business, Fusion Essentials.

Over time I’ve implemented the 5 R’s of waste management into my business model. “The 5 Rs in waste management is a concept developed out of the European Union’s Waste Framework Directive that was originally introduced in 1975.”^[1] It’s a practice that encourages me and other small business owners to take action in stages, especially the first four stages, before arriving at the stage of recycling. Each stage helps business owners to identify and remove unnecessary waste and pollution throughout their accessible pipeline.

I’m still learning and making more improvements in my business model, but here’s how I’ve applied the 5 R’s into my shop below. Take a look.

Any small business owner can take these small steps, or adapt them to steps that fit your business model better, to make your business model less wasteful, less polluting, and more eco-friendly. As a result of practicing the 5 R’s, my shop recently became part of the California Green Network Business^[2] and was recognized by the City of Carlsbad^[3] for my efforts in running an eco-friendly small business.

Call your local Chamber of Commerce to inquire about joining a green business network. If you don’t have one in your town or in your state, round up other interested businesses -- small and large -- and together inquire about creating one with your city council and state representative.