The 3R Initiative

The 3R Initiative aims to promote the "3Rs" (reduce, reuse and recycle) globally so as to build a sound-material-cycle society through the effective use of resources and materials. It was agreed upon at the G8 Sea Island Summit in June 2004 as a new G8 initiative. In order to formally launch the 3R Initiative, it was also agreed to hold a ministerial meeting in Japan in the spring of 2005.

What are the 3Rs ?

The principle of reducing waste, reusing and recycling resources and products is often called the "3Rs." Reducing means choosing to use things with care to reduce the amount of waste generated. Reusing involves the repeated use of items or parts of items which still have usable aspects. Recycling means the use of waste itself as resources. Waste minimization can be achieved in an efficient way by focusing primarily on the first of the 3Rs, "reduce," followed by "reuse" and then "recycle."