Choose to Reduce and Reuse over Recycling

October is Ireland’s National Reuse Month, reuse is about valuing our stuff, by using and reusing it for as long and as often as possible. This avoids the need to extract raw materials, manufacture and distribute new stuff, and avoids waste thereby cutting down on greenhouse gas emissions.

Reduce, reuse, and recycle—are the “three R’s” used to promote waste management and help reduce environmental harm. The “three R’s” are listed in order of importance so why is recycling usually the first option we choose?

Over the years advertising campaign, green initiatives, educational resources and various government and EU actions have asked us to recycle, so that’s what we do!

We have followed the call to action “recycle”. We take time at home and in the office assembling items for recycling, we separate items and place them in the right bin to help protect the environment.

It is important to recycle, but remember, recycling is the third choice. We should consider reducing and reusing before recycling.

The first “R,”

Reduce, means removing or decreasing the amount of waste we produce e.g., reducing the packaging choices, choosing long lasting products, avoiding disposable items, and decreasing consumption.

The second “R,”

Reuse means reusing products you consider as waste. Many items can be used again in their current form, or with few repairs or changes. People sometimes say they are recycling something when they are reusing it.

The third “R,”

Recycling involves dropping off or collecting used materials so they can be processed mechanically, using heat or chemicals to be remanufactured into new products. These activities use energy, water, human and other resources, and they can cause pollution. Although the resource used and pollution caused by recycling is much less than mining, processing, and transporting raw materials it is greater than simply reusing an item.      

Focusing on Reuse   

As it is reuse month, we will focus on Reusing which allows individuals, families, and co-workers to take responsibility for the waste created. Think like children and use your imagination to create what you need from what you have. This can make you feel good, you can learn skills and it is economically and environmentally rewarding.

See a list of reuse activities that can be carried out by individuals and families.

• Keep empty containers for storing leftovers.
• Source reusable water bottles.
• Repair, rather than replace, broken or worn-out products.
• Donate useable, unwanted items to charity shops, community groups, and reuse organisations.
• Make empty plastic bottles into bird feeders, scoops, watering bottles.
• Take reusable shopping bags to the shops.
• Make dusters from old towels and sheets.
• Donate magazines to libraries and hospital waiting rooms.
• Make wrapping paper from comics and magazine pages or reuse old gift wrap.
• Donate newspapers and blankets to pet charities.
• Paint, reupholster or cover old furniture.
• Use packing materials again or create you own.
• Rent or borrow things you use infrequently.
• Buy rechargeable batteries and appliances.
• Use old toothbrushes for household cleaning.
• Wash and reuse aluminium foil and plastic sandwich bags.
• Wrap packages for posting with paper bags.
• Make face clothes from old fabric or clothes.

Reuse Strategies for Businesses, Industries, Institutions, and Local Governments

• Ask your suppliers to use reusable cartons, pallets, and crates.
• Distribute your products in reusable containers.
• Think about designing products for reuse.
• Order reusable binders and pockets.
• Repair old furniture and equipment or donate it to a charity for reuse.
• If you organisation has to much of one thing or out date office items, try Recreate
• Recover and reuse waste production materials. (Paper, cardboard, plastic).
• Use refillable, reusable ink and toner cartridges.
• Send your ink and toner cartridges back to the manufacturer for reuse
• Buy refillable pens or use pencils
• Turn manila folders inside out so they can be reused.
• Use outdated letterhead for in-house memos.
• Only print letterhead on paper as required.
• Set up an office supply swap area.
• Shred confidential papers for reuse in box packing .
• Reuse packing materials or donate them to another organization.
• Use an erasable memo pads or a whiteboard for messages.
• Use mugs and glasses instead of disposable paper and plastic cups.
• Use two-way envelopes and mailing pouches.
• Convert old office paper into telephone answering pads.
• If you damage equipment try repairing for reuse – www.repairmystuff.ie

How can I get involved?

National Reuse Month’s aim is to inspire you and provide you with the skills and tools to reuse more at home, at work and at play. For example, you may have already reused by getting shoes resoled rather than replacing them or borrowing books from the library. To cut down on waste and greenhouse gas emissions, we asked everyone to go further in October and beyond by prioritising repair, buying second hand, and upcycled, borrowing, swapping, and refilling. Click here to learn more.

If you are interested in registering for a reuse event click here.

About Recylce IT

Recycle IT is an award-winning, not for profit, social enterprise established to create employment and promote environmental awareness through recycling and reuse. We work in partnership with WEEE Ireland and are authorized by your local authority to provide electrical, electronic and pure metal recycling collections across Dublin since 2007. Recycle IT are fully compliant for WEEE collection with permit detail available here.

To speak with Recycle IT please call 01 4578321 or email us at here

Visit our website www.recycleit.ie