Deal with unwanted things
What can you do with the unwanted old things around you?
What is Reuse
Reuse refers to several things.
It can mean investing in items that can be reused --- for example, using cloth tote bags when you shop instead of asking for plastic bags, or buying reusable food containers, such as a thermal coffee mug or a reusable water bottle.
It also means looking for ways to repurpose discarded items, especially those that cannot be recycled and will end up sitting in a landfill for centuries.
Consider repairing an item rather than throwing it out.
If you're upgrading an appliance or gadget, see if you can donate the old one to someone who can use it.
If a product has served its purpose, look for alternative uses. For example, clean used jars can be used to store leftovers or odds and ends.
Ways to Reuse
Reusing involves finding new owners for items in working condition, as well as repurposing items usually destined for the trash or recycling cans. Look for items at secondhand stores, yard sales and community swap or "free-cycle" programs. Likewise, donate --- don't discard --- your unused items.
Take a look again at your trash can and ask yourself what uses you can find for the items you're throwing away. For example, yogurt cups and butter tubs can double as pots for starting seeds or plant cuttings. Rinse out glass jars and use them to store home-improvement and craft supplies. Getting creative in repurposing "trash" helps you reduce your waste generation, cut back on new purchases and save money.
