Reuse

Reusing items is a good way to practice sustainability.  Sometimes reuse might involve using the item again for the same purpose, and sometimes it might involve repurposing it.  Although some resources may be required to clean or paint an item for reuse, in general fewer resources are used when an item is repurposed or reused.  Reuse also reduces the number of items going to the landfill.  Before you buy a new item, think about whether you have an item that can be reused or upcycled for that purpose.  Reuse almost always has less of an impact on the environment than recycling.  Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Take your own reusable container to the restaurant for your leftovers.
• Use empty plastic food containers for storage or freezing home-cooked food.
• Use old clothing or towels for rags.
• Reuse small cardboard boxes for mailing packages.  If it’s a lightweight item, it might be cheaper to mail using your own box than using the new post office “if it fits, it ships” box.
• Look for upcycling opportunities.  Upcycling means to turn an item into something of new or greater value.  My grandmother-in-law made dozens of beautiful quilts from pieces of old clothing that could no longer be worn.  I have a pair of warm mittens made from a wool sweater that could no longer be worn.  Many people upcycle old wooden furniture. 
• I have seen ideas for using glass canning jars for storing food or other items.  A regular glass jar from a food item would work as well for many of these applications.  Note – do not use regular jars for water bath or pressure canning of food. 
• Shop for used items when that’s appropriate and sell or donate unwanted items so others can use them.