Make product redundant by abandoing its function or by offering the same function with a radically different product.
Example
Use reusable products instead of single-use products, e.g., for hand drying or also use cleaning rags out of used textiles. Refuse of overproduction by production on demand.
R0 Refuse
×R1 Rethink
×
Make product use more intensive or by putting multi-functional products on the market.
Example
Develop new business models (sharing model or product-as-a-Service models).
R2 Reduce
×
Increase efficiency in product manufacture or use by consuming fewer natural resources and materials.
Example
Implement new design strategies to reduce the environmental impact of your textiles in general. Use recycled textile fibres to reduce the use of natural resources.
R3 Reuse
×
Reuse by another consumer of discarded product which is still in good condition and fulfils its original function.
Example
Wear second-hand textiles or offer second-hand textiles.
R4 Repair
×
Repair and maintenance of defect product so it can be used in its original function.
Example
Renew your shoe sole or the zipper of your jacket instead of throwing it away or support local cobblers and tailors by producing spare parts and providing information about spare parts.
R5 Refurbish
×
Restore an old product an bring it up to date.
Example
Provide product information to make an outdoor jacket rainproof again or to re-dye a washed-out garment.
R6 Remanufacture
×
Use parts of discarded product in a new product with the same function.
Example
Integrate the sleeves of an unsold shirt into a new shirt.
R7 Repurpose
×
Use discarded product or its parts in a new product with different function.
Example
Make clothes out of discarded home textiles.
R8 Recycle
×
Process materials to obtain the same (high grade) or lower (low grade) quality.
Example
Production of recycled fibers from cotton waste for yarn production or for the production of nonwovens for the automotive industry.
R9 Recover
×
Incineration of materials with energy recovery.
Comment
The strategy “Recover” does not lead to materials being circulated. In today's practice, it is often still applied in cases where recycling of raw materials is not (yet) economically or technically feasible. However, this approach can be largely avoided by better product design, improved recycling technologies and legal framework conditions. Nevertheless, textiles that cannot be circulated by any previous R-strategy are processed into alternative fuels or used to generate energy.