Abstract
The 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) concept has been promoted with the aim of preserving natural resources, reducing the amount of waste that is disposed of and reducing green house gases. This paper clarifies the relationship between The 3Rs concept and these three aims by using a simple model developed for recycling systems. Based on this model, we estimated the amount that green house gases were reduced through the practice of recycling major materials, such as steel, aluminum and plastics. We also showed that there has already been a significant amount of reduction in CO2 emissions due to the recycling of certain materials. The paper goes on to indicate several measures that need to be taken in order to further reduce green house gases through the promotion of The 3Rs.
