Reuse

Click here for information on the Stanford Material Exchange.

For questions about local reuse options, click here Commonly Asked Questions -- Reuse Options.

Reusing items by repairing them, donating them to charity and community groups, or selling them also reduces waste. Use a product more than once, either for the same purpose or for a different purpose. Reusing, when possible, is preferable to recycling because the item does not need to be reprocessed before it can be used again.

Reuse is the second step towards decreasing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. Many products are designed to be used more than once, like cloth napkins, and others can be put to creative uses after they have performed their original function, like a coffeepot that becomes a flowerpot. After an individual has reduced his or her purchases to products with the least amount packaging or toxicity, he or she can keep using that product instead of buying another. This will result in less waste, which helps reduce the cost of managing solid waste, conserves materials and resources, and keeps materials out of the landfill. Reusing materials can also save consumers money in the long run!

Here are some tips from the United States Environmental Protection Agency on how to incorporate reuse into your daily lifestyle:

• A sturdy mug or cup can be washed and used time and again. Many people bring their own mugs to work, meetings, and conferences.
• Sturdy and washable utensils and tableware can be used at home and for picnics, outdoor parties and potlucks.
• At work, see if "recharged" cartridges for laser printers, copiers, and fax machines are available. They not only reduce waste, but also typically save money.

  Cloth napkins, sponges, or dishcloths can be used around the house. These can be washed over and over again.

• Look for items that are available in refillable containers. For example, some bottles and jugs for beverages and detergents are made to be refilled and reused, either by the consumer or the manufacturer.
• When possible, use rechargeable batteries to help reduce garbage and keep toxic metals found in some batteries out of the waste stream. Another alternative is to look for batteries with reduced toxic metals.
• When using single-use items, remember to take only what is needed. For example, take only one napkin or ketchup packet if more are not needed.

  Reuse paper and plastic bags and twist ties. If it's practical, keep a supply of bags on hand to use on the next shopping trip, or take a string, mesh, or canvas tote bag to the store. When a reusable bag is not on hand and only one or two items are being purchased, consider whether you need a bag at all.

• Reuse scrap paper and envelopes. Use both sides of a piece of paper for writing notes before recycling it. Save and reuse gift boxes, ribbons, and larger pieces of wrapping and tissue paper.
• Save packaging, colored paper, egg cartons, and other items for reuse or for arts and crafts projects at day-care facilities, schools, youth facilities, and senior citizen centers. Find other uses or homes for old draperies, bedding, clothing, towels, and cotton diapers. Then cut up what's left for use as patchwork, rags, doll clothes, rag rugs, or other projects.
• Reuse newspaper, boxes, packaging "peanuts," and "bubble wrap" to ship packages. Brown paper bags are excellent for wrapping parcels.

  Wash and reuse empty glass and plastic jars, milk jugs, coffee cans, dairy tubs, and other similar containers that otherwise get thrown out. These containers can be used to store leftovers as well as buttons, nails, and thumbtacks. An empty coffee can make a fine flowerpot.

• Turn used lumber into birdhouses, mailboxes, compost bins, or other woodworking projects.