Esikierrätys

Esikierrätys, commonly referred to as precycling, is the set of practices and policies aimed at reducing waste generation before it occurs. It focuses on choices that lower the amount and environmental impact of waste by influencing what products people buy, how packaging is designed, and how goods are procured and used.

The concept sits at the top of the waste hierarchy, prioritizing prevention over recycling and other waste management steps. Practices commonly described as esikierrätys include selecting durable or reusable products, opting for products with minimal or recyclable packaging, choosing refillable or concentratized items, buying second-hand or repaired goods, and avoiding single-use or disposable items. It also encompasses design considerations, such as encouraging manufacturers to create modular, repairable, and long-lasting products, and procurement policies that favor suppliers with take-back schemes and reduced packaging.

In households, esikierrätys involves planning purchases, reducing impulse buying, repairing gear, extending product lifetimes, and properly reusing materials. In organizations, it translates into sustainable procurement, product design requirements, and supplier agreements that minimize packaging, encourage reuse, and support end-of-life take-back or recycling streams.

Esikierrätys is complementary to recycling. While recycling processes handle materials after use, esikierrätys seeks to prevent waste generation in the first place. Its effectiveness depends on consumer behavior, product design, economic incentives, and supportive policy frameworks at national and EU levels. Limitations include practicality, cost, and accessibility of alternatives, meaning not all waste can or should be avoided through precycling alone.