Understanding recycling goes beyond knowing how to sort different types of waste. It also involves being informed about considerations before recycling.

A sustainable behaviour starts even before you make a purchase, as you can assess if you truly need a particular product. Another good practice is reusing shopping bags. Additionally, selecting products with minimal packaging, such as loose tea leaves instead of tea bags wrapped in plastic and cardboard boxes, or opting for larger containers instead of two smaller ones, can reduce waste. Embracing reusable products like rechargeable batteries is also beneficial.

These examples align with some of the 8R’s that provide guidance on sustainable choices, and that should be followed according to this order:

1st – Rethink: Encouraging a shift in mindset and questioning our consumptions.

2nd – Refuse: Saying no to unnecessary items and single-use products.

3rd – Reduce: Minimize our overall consumption and waste.

4th u2013 Reuse: Extending the lifespan of products by finding new purposes for them.

5th u2013 Repair: Restoring and fixing items instead of immediately replacing them.

6th – Re-gift: Passing on gently used items to others who can benefit from them.

7th u2013 Recover: Exploring options for repurposing or upcycling materials to avoid disposal.

8th u2013 Recycle: Only when materials cannot be integrated into the other categories, recycling becomes a suitable choice.