Categories
Close
Menu
Menu
Close
Search
Search

THE WIKI PAGE
OF GW-360

Glossary of the most commonly used green terms

Precycling
P

Precycling

GW Admin

Share:

Print

Precycling indicates an activity aimed at preventing the recycling phase by directly eliminating the purchase of future waste to be recycled through targeted and informed choices.

We can carry out precycling in our daily life with small decisions which, if done on a large scale, allow a significant reduction in the volume of waste to be recycled or destined for landfill:

  • We can buy detergents and drinks on tap using containers already in our possession. In this way we will avoid taking a new container which will then have to be disposed of;
  • We can directly purchase the maxi packages of the products (for example of bubble bath) and we transfer the contents into smaller and manageable containers when necessary. This way we will also save money as well as reduce unnecessary packaging;
  • We can choose to support and purchase from companies that use packaging reduced to a minimum or packaged with recycled materials for their products;
  • Wherever possible, we can avoid purchasing single-use items such as plastic plates and crockery or paper towels. Instead, we focus on washable and reusable objects;
  • We should lways use hermetically sealed glass or plastic containers to store leftover foods in the refrigerator or to bring meals to the office. We will thus avoid using disposable aluminum containers or buying food in take-away containers or plastic bags;
  • We can bring our water bottle to the office or our thermos with a coffee cup. We can fill them as needed avoiding the use of several plastic bottles and disposable cups;
  • We can read on mobile or tablet screens whenever possible without wasting paper. We use the printer only when it is strictly necessary;
  • We can carry a shopping bag (or more than one) to go shopping. We avoid buying new plastic bags.


These small measures tend to eliminate the potential waste at its source, not even giving it the possibility of entering the recycling or disposal stream. The advantages of these small choices are reflected in the quantity of waste to be disposed of, in the reduction of the need to resort to new raw materials and in the savings in terms of both energy and CO2 released into the atmosphere.