What is reusing?
Reusing is the act of finding a new use for items that might otherwise be thrown in a landfill.
Reusing may mean that you gift or donate an item so that it can continue in its current form, or it might mean that you turn the item into something new, such as using an empty glass sauce jar as a flower vase.
Why should I practice reuse?
Reusing is one of the most important things you can do to help the environment. In fact, reusing is better than recycling. Recycling requires that an item be broken down and re-manufactured into something new. Recycling may help reduce waste, but it still requires energy and therefore is not the best solution.
Reuse, on the other hand, doesn’t require anything. It doesn’t need a lot of energy or water to break things down and remold them. It doesn’t produce waste or greenhouse gasses. It simply remains useful for a new person or in a new form.
When you shop for your clothing at a thrift store you are preventing those items from being added to our planet’s many landfills. But wait, there’s more! You are also helping by reducing the demand for more clothing to be produced. As we discussed in our sustainable shopping page, clothing production can be very detrimental to our environment.
How does it affect the environment?
Reusing is great for the environment!
- Saves money on the consumer end
- Reduces the need to harvest new materials
- Saves energy that would be required to create a new item
- Reduces pollution that manufacturing creates
- Cuts down on greenhouse gas emissions due to reduced manufacturing
What are some ways I can reuse?
Reusing is not just about re-purposing. Repairing damaged items is another form of reuse. This prevents the damaged product from being thrown away and gives it a chance at a longer life.
Here are some great ideas for ways to reuse:
- Buy used! Thrift clothing or buy second hand instead of new
- Purchasing used furniture, decor, and appliances on places like craigslist and facebook marketplace
- Avoid one-time use! Stick to reusable items such as a stainless steel water bottle to replace your many plastic disposable bottles
- Consider renting or borrowing items that you won’t use much, such as party decorations
- If you can’t let go of your amazon membership, consider browsing their used or refurbished listings
- These faithful items can be used over and over again
- Craft with recyclables
- Turn forgotten items into home decor
- Even one-time use items can be repurposed
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Let's work as a community to help our planet! Contact us if you want to get involved with our cause. Together we can do it!