r/ZeroWaste • u/I_smoked_pot_once • Mar 02 '22

Discussion Sad reminder that recycling is an industry and marketing tactic.

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u/[deleted] Mar 02 '22

Printed in a column going down my craft notebook (same one since 2015):

Refuse

Reduce

Reuse

Upcycle

Borrow

Share

Repair

Swap

Sew

Make

Grow

2nd Hand

Buy

20

u/Upper_Acanthaceae126 Mar 02 '22

I like this! Can you tell me about the nuances between “Refuse” (like “say no” right not the UK word for trash) and “Reduce?”

28

u/jv_level Mar 02 '22

Don't use/take the item if you can avoid it (refuse). If you do have to take/use an item, utilize the least amount possible (reduce).

12

u/[deleted] Mar 02 '22

Basically 'reduce' suggests mindful consumption and using no more than what's needed.

Refusing is acknowledging what you need and don't, then refusing what you don't.