The Environment Magazine

The second R, Reuse, encourages us to find ways to extend the life of products and materials, delaying their entry into the waste stream. Reusing items reduces the demand for new products and the resources required to produce them.

Here are some common examples of how to reuse everyday items:

• Donate or sell unwanted items: Instead of throwing away clothes, furniture, or electronics, consider donating them to local charities or selling them online.
• Repurpose materials: Get creative with DIY projects that turn old materials into something new. For example, glass jars can be used for storage or crafts, and old clothing can be repurposed into cleaning rags.
• Choose reusable products: Invest in reusable shopping bags, water bottles, and containers to reduce the need for disposable items.
• Repair instead of replace: When something breaks, explore repair options before discarding it. Many items can be fixed rather than replaced entirely, which reduces overall waste.

By reusing items, we can reduce the amount of waste we send to landfills and save both energy and resources used to create new products.

Courtesy of lepageandsons.com