The icon of the worm represents one of the most effective recyclers of organic materials, consuming plant and animal ‘waste’ into valuable plant food. The proverb “a stitch in time saves nine” reminds us that timely maintenance prevents waste, while “waste not, want not” reminds us that it’s easy to be wasteful in times of abundance, but this waste can be a cause of hardship later.
Built—Using natural materials when building so at end of life there is no waste - salvaging and reusing used materials from old buildings in the building of new structures.
Biological—Composting food waste, garden waste - Preserving (making jam of Tomato pastes) food that might otherwise go to compost or “not be good enough for food”
Behavioural—Mending Clothes, repairing and re-fashioning - up-cycling - fabrics can be turned into bags - changing buying behaviour not using single use plastic bags
Reference: Holmgren, D. Permaculture Principles & Pathways beyond Sustainability