The R-ladder indicates the level of circularity. The R-ladder has six steps (R1 to R6) representing different circularity strategies. Strategies higher on the ladder save more raw materials. The higher a strategy is on the R-ladder, the more circular it is, with R1 being the highest step.
R1. Refuse and Rethink
Move away from products or materials you don’t really need. Make a product redundant by avoiding its function or delivering it with a radically different product.
Intensify product use (e.g., by sharing products via platforms or using multifunctional products).
R2. Reduce
Use raw materials more efficiently by consuming fewer raw materials during production and product use.
R3. Re-use
Reuse discarded but still usable products in the same function by other users. Think, for example, of designs for longer lifespans. There are various platforms that give used products a second life.
R4. Repair, Refurbish, Remanufacture, and Repurpose
Repair and maintain broken products for use in their original function to extend product lifespans.
Refurbish older products and/or modernize them. Create new products from old ones.
Use parts of discarded products in new products with the same or different functions.
R5. Recycling
Process materials into raw materials of the same (high-quality) or lower (low-quality) quality than the original raw material. Think of processing and reusing raw materials and waste streams or waste, such as grass, waste wood, and coffee grounds.
R6. Recover
Burn materials with energy recovery. In a circular economy, as few materials as possible end up at this step.
In short: Reduce, reuse, recycle
- Reduce (R1 and R2): At the top of the ladder is reducing consumption and production and making and using products smarter.
- Re-use (R3 and R4): In the middle is extending the lifespan of products and components.
- Recycle (R5 and R6): At the bottom is the useful application of materials that would otherwise be disposed of.