surreywaste.info

Re-Use at home

REUSE AT HOME:

One of the easiest ways to reduce our waste is to reuse it. Reuse and recycling are often considered to be the same, but they are quite different.

Reuse - is taking idle goods and materials and using them in their original form, with possibly just a small amount of repair, either for the same purpose or something different.

Recycling - is where an item or waste material undergoes some kind of re-processing to make it into something new.

A pyramid graph detailing the waste hierarchy


Reusing, as seen here in the waste hierarchy diagram, is preferable even to recycling! Many of us reuse items at home without even thinking of it as a waste reduction exercise.

  • Jam jars are always a good item to reuse; perfect for storing buttons, nails, or for more jam. If you do not want your jam jars your local Women's Institute might.

  • Flowerpots can be reused for cuttings or as storage containers for garden ties.

  • Coat hangers are often discarded in large numbers. Your local dry cleaner or local charity shop may be glad to have them

  • The best example of glass reuse is the milk bottle; these are reused up to 24 times. If you would like to have a milk delivery to your door instead of buying milk in plastic containers then visit the Dairycrest website to see if there is a current service in your area and to register.

If you have unwanted items that you cannot use at home, you might like to donate them for reuse through a Community organisation, a Charity Shop , Jumble Sale or you can organise or partake in your local Junk Swapping Day.

You can also offer them to others via an electronic reuse site such as Swap It Surrey, Freecycle or sell them on eBay, Greenmetropolis or at your local car Boot Sale.

Benefits of Reuse

  • Saves landfill space

  • Doesn't use up energy or raw materials as new products are not being made

  • Reduces waste handling and disposal costs

  • Generates an income for charities and other social groups

  • Helps those that need reused items like schools, community organisations and disadvantaged members of the public

  • Creates opportunities for jobs and training