When researching and writing about waste reduction back in the early 1990's and the 'four R's' mentioned by Harrison and others, we at PermacultureVisions.com (April Sampson-Kelly, Paul Kelly and Megan Sampson ) realised the importance of a 5th R: Redesign, since then we have had a wonderful student, Lela in Hawaii suggest the need for another type of recycling and since then Megan (Quality Auditor and Partner in PermacultureVisions) has added 2 other essential R's. READ on
for durability; ease of maintenance and repair, use of materials that are easily re-used and re-cycled without high energy input or toxic by-products. The use of modules in equipment can be seen as design feature to increase waste. Modules in many products such as white goods and cars are self-contained, and can usually only be opened when broken. If we design for common parts, sizes and materials with ingenious combinations and application then the design has greater capacity for re-use and repair. Few cars or even computers have common parts from one brand to another, this has often been to enhance the uniqueness of the product, 'It's different, better, sophisticated and new'.
When consumers demand repair-ability, items will be promoted less on uniqueness but common-ness or 'standards' and availability of parts.
Permaculture is mainly about re-design. Clever design finds multiple functions and use for the waste. Waste is unused output [Mollison]. We need to re-design our cities into self-reliant villages and our home systems into responsible multi-function productive spaces.
You should aim to reduce imports into the system. Packaging and transport costs are reduced when you grow your own foods, Clothes and furniture and white goods (if repaired to maintain efficiency) could be worn longer. Buy less gadgets, or buy one that fits several functions. Share equipment. We don't see the justification for a paper copier in our office, it is more ecological but a bit more time-consuming to share/hire some office equipment. We also choose re-useable storage equipment such as computer discs rather than paper and have needed very little paper for printing. When out shopping - take a basket, or use the cardboard boxes the goods came to the shop in. Say "no thanks" to plastic bags. At the butcher, take your own containers. At the bakery ask for paper bags or take a basket and keep items fresh at home in large canisters. You don't have to buy new containers either. Many second hand stores are filled to the brim with unloved Tupperware and canisters.
Choose products that are able to be re-used. Avoid so called disposable items that cannot be recycled, much less re-used. Computer Discs have a good life for re-use, Rechargeable batteries are best but mains electricity means less toxins in soil on disposal. Cloth nappies cost only a little more initially than disposables. Why not buy a small towel when you're out and have forgotten a nappy?. Nappies are great rags later too. Cane baskets are easier to carry than plastic bags, they don't cut into your fingers. Paper bags should be re-used before recycling to store dried seed etc. Re-use plastic bags if you have any. The only use I found for them was taking soiled nappies home. (I was a very mobile mum, taking babes with me). Alternatives are hard to find but an old food container would do the trick.
Modification, adjustment or alteration of a product can make it useful for another purpose. An example being an old milk jug cut off the top and used to store eggs or pot plants.
As mentioned above, buy goods designed for repair, less than 20 years ago you could buy even small items such as pencil sharpeners with replaceable blades. But they cost more than the plastic ones, and hard to find.
Most organic items can be recycled in the home system, plastic can be recycled too, but there may be harmful gases let off during the process. Get some worms onto the job if you only have a home unit, use paper waste as mulch or try recycled paper making.
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