The Difference Between The Three Rs

Boro-Wide Recycling Corp.

Maspeth, NY 718-416-1656

www.BoroWideRecycling.com

Reduce, reuse, recycle. Three words, three ideas, three different meanings. Although when it comes to creating awareness about the environment these words are often used interchangeably, they are truly three different ideas that encompass their own definitions and contribute to environmental efforts in individual ways. Do you know the difference between the three? See below for a brief outline that describes what makes the three Rs their own -

Reduce - Reduce refers to the idea of 'using less.' When we reduce the amount of natural resources we use every day or reduce the number of harmful materials we buy and throw out, we are ultimately performing these actions at decreased rate.

Reuse - When we say reuse, we are referring to the action of using something again to serve another purpose. This action is sometimes referred to as "repurposing." By reusing materials and products, we take something and turn it into something different.

Recycle - Out of all three terms, recycle is likely the one that gets thrown around the most. In essence, recycle or recycling ultimately refers to the process that products go through to be broken down and made into something new. Although this resembles "reuse," it's important to remember that recycling is the actual process that happens before an item is reused in an entirely different shape and/or form.

Once you are familiar with each term on their own, it is easy to see how they are so closely related. By recycling, we are reusing, and by reusing, we are reducing. However, knowing each term on an individual basis can truly help you improve your waste management efforts.

Boro Wide Recycling is a full service recycling and waste management provider. For more information on how we can help you with your recycling efforts, check us out atwww.borowide.com or contact us at (718) 416-1656.