“Reduce, reuse, recycle” (waste management’s “three Rs”)
“Reduce, reuse, recycle” are the famous “three Rs” of waste management. The slogan of “reduce, reuse and recycle” has been cited in print since at least February 1971, when Chicago enviromental health specialist Claudia Lawrence made use of the “three Rs” on her nationwide tour.
There have also been “four Rs.” “Reduce, reuse, recycle, recover” has been cited in print since at least 1986, when it was used in Canada. “Rethink, reduce, reuse, recycle” has been cited in print since at least 1990.
Wikipedia: Waste hierarchy
The waste hierarchy refers to the three (or four) Rs of reduce, reuse, recycle, (and recover) which classify waste management strategies according to their desirability.The Rs are meant to be a hierarchy, in order of importance. However in Europe the waste hierarchy has five steps: reduce, reuse, recycle, recovery, and disposal.
The waste hierarchy has taken many forms over the past decade, but the basic concept has remained the cornerstone of most waste minimisation strategies. The aim of the waste hierarchy is to extract the maximum practical benefits from products and to generate the minimum amount of waste.
Some waste management experts have recently incorporated an additional R: “Re-think”, with the implied meaning that the present system may have fundamental flaws, and that a thoroughly effective system of waste management may need an entirely new way of looking at waste.
U.S. Environmental Protection Administration
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
There are many ways to produce less waste:
. Reduce the amount and toxicity of trash you throw away and reuse containers and products.
. Recycle as much as possible and buy products with recycled content.
. Practice composting by using microorganisms (mainly bacteria and fungi) to decompose organic waste, such as food scraps and yard trimmings.
21 February 1971, Albuquerque (NM) Journal, “During Brief Stop in Albuquerque: Ecology Expert Preaches ‘Three R’s’” by Grace Marie Prather, pg. D2, col. 2:
Reduce, reuse and recycle. That is the message environmental health specialist Claudia Lawrence is carrying on a nationwide tour—stopping in Albuquerque—to inform the public of the dimensions of the enviromental crises and to stimulate interest in programs designed to control pollution.
The 24-year-old Mrs. Lawrence, who is based in Chicago, advises that pollution control should begin at home, and she carries with her a list of 54 tips for housewives.
3 June 1971, Nevada State Journal (Reno, NV), “You Can’t Do Anything About Pollution? Think of Daily Habits; You Can Help” by Rogers Franklin, pg. 16, col. 2:
If this is your reaction, too, let me strongly recommend the June issue of Harvest Years magazine, which contains the article, “Ecology: What We Must Do Now.”
(...)
The article gives over forty-five ways, gleaned from ecology experts, showing how you, the individual, can help in the “four R effort”—reduce, recycle, reuse, reject.
24 November 1971, Daily Messenger (Conandaigua, NY), “The Extension Line: Cooperative Extension, Home Economics Division,” Agent: Marilyn M. Rolland, pg. 10, col. 5:
Remember the Three “R’s”
To help solve the solid waste problem, consciously try to reduce, reuse, and recycle packaging materials.
26 December 1971, Springfield (MA) Sunday Republican, “Three Rs Aid Waste Problems” by Gaynor Maddox, pg. W10, col. 5:
Consumer education specialists recommend the three “Rs” to help solve the waste problem: Reduce, reuse and recycle packaging material.
Google Books
Recreation for Today’s Society
By Charles Augustus Bucher and Richard D. Bucher
Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall
1974
Pg. 93:
In the meantime, the nation’s citizens and industries are being urged to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle packaging materials.
OCLC WorldCat record
Reduce, reuse, recycle
Publisher: Santa Barbara, Calif. : The Association, ©1978.
Edition/Format: Book : English
OCLC WorldCat record
The Three R’s : reduce, reuse and recycle.
Publisher: Bloomington, Ind. : League of Women Voters, 1980.
Edition/Format: Visual material : Filmstrip : Elementary and junior high school : English
Summary: Explains concepts of reduce, recycle and reuse, and motivates children to put these concepts into practice.
Google News Archive
22 July 1980, Eugene (OR) Register-Guard, “Recycling urged to cut dump fees” by April Simandi (BRING Recycling), Pg. 15A, col. 1:
Why should those of us who reduce, reuse and recycle our garbage pay for someone else’s wasteful habits?
OCLC WorldCat record
The 4rs in Ontario : an examination of selected options.
Author: Victor & Burrell.; Ontario. Ministry of the Environment.; Ontario. Ministry of Energy.
Publisher: [Toronto, Ont.] : Ministry of the Environment, 1986.
Edition/Format: Book : English
Other Titles:
Reduce, reuse, recycle, recover in Ontario
Four Rs in Ontario
27 March 1986, Lethbridge (Alberta) Herald, “Dropping oil prices may add to cities’ garbage woes” by Kate Sutherland, pg. A6, cols. 5-6:
Alberta’s Crown corporation, the Environmental Council will hold public hearings later this year on ways to reduce, reuse, recycle and recover—the four buzz words of the new waste management philosophy—the tonnes of refuse cities like Edmonton can no longer easily landfill.
Google Books
A New Game Plan for Illinois
By James Dunlap Nowlan
Chicago, IL: Neltnor House
1989
Pg. 107:
Krohe finds that some executives are abandoning the traditional three Ds of corporate pollution policy — Damn, Deny, and Delay — in favor of a new ethic of three Rs — Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.
2 July 1990, Mountain Democrat (Placerville, CA), pg. A9, col. 2:
Awareness is the beginning of change. We must rethink, reduce, reuse, recycle. As a nation we are wasteful.
(Letter written by “Earth Day El Dorado Committee”—ed.)
OCLC WorldCat record
The 4 Rs : reduce, reuse, recycle, recover.
Author: Canada. Environment Canada.
Publisher: Ottawa : Environment Canada, [1993].
Series: Waste management information series.
Edition/Format: Book : National government publication : English
Google Books
The Clean-up Crew
By Kathryn Makris
New York, NY: Avon
1994
Pg. 46:
Underneath a green letter R it read,
RETHINK, REDUCE, REUSE. RECYCLE
OCLC WorldCat record
Reduce, reuse, recycle, rethink : can you guess what is the missing link?
Author: Iowa. Waste Management Authority Division.
Publisher: Durhan, N.H. : EHMI ; Des Moines, Iowa : Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources, Waste Management Assistance Division, ©1998.
Edition/Format: Book : Juvenile audience : State or province government publication : English
OCLC WorldCat record
Reduce, reuse, recycle : an easy household guide
Author: Nicky Scott
Publisher: White River Junction, Vt. : Chelsea Green Pub., [2007]
Series: Chelsea green guides
Edition/Format: Book : English
Summary: “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle is packed with ideas to cut your consumption and reduce your trash.”-back cover.
(Trademark)
Word Mark REDUCE REUSE RETHINK RECYCLE
Goods and Services (CANCELLED) IC 042. US 100 101. G & S: waste management; promoting public awareness of the need to recycle. FIRST USE: 19970800. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19970800
Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING
Serial Number 75350892
Filing Date September 3, 1997
Current Basis 1A
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Published for Opposition July 6, 1999
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Registration Date September 28, 1999
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Disclaimer NO CLAIM IS MADE TO THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO USE “REDUCE”, “REUSE” and “RECYCLE” APART FROM THE MARK AS SHOWN
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Cancellation Date May 1, 2010