September 30, 2008
The manufacturing of “new” products unfortunately puts a large demand on our already inadequate natural resources. In addition to the manufacturing process, these products have to eventually be disposed of which contributes additional “unwanted materials” to the overall pollution of our environment.
Reuse is simply using an item more than once. This can include reuse where the item is used again for the same function, or new-life reuse where it is used for an entirely new function. In contrast, recycling is the breaking down of a used item. (reuse. (2008). In Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
Based upon the Solid Waste Reduction Hierarchy: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, it is best to reduce first, reuse as a second option and then resort to recycling as a final option. Recycling keeps materials out of landfills through a process of collecting, segregating, processing and manufacturing collected goods into new types of products. Reuse helps to keep materials out of the waste stream all together by transferring goods on to others in order to be used again and over and over.
Reuse programs and activities can help to improve communities in many ways. Involvement creates opportunities for jobs and volunteer services. Reuse involvement also teaches communities to be better at waste prevention and resource conservation. Reuse programs keep additional waste from entering landfills and increases the overall well being of community citizens.
Just about all communities have some existing form(s) of reuse. Volunteer efforts, for-profit businesses and charities are all helping to make reuse happen. Some examples could include:
Buying and using items that are “reusable” helps to support a method of waste management for handling materials that promotes items being reused several times and then sent to a recycling center for processing. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has also identified waste reduction through reuse programs as an important method of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which are a contributing factor to global warming.
There are many ways in which you can integrate reuse into your everyday life:
When we make the choice to reuse an item, it means that the item will continue to serve as being functional, and useful. Reuse will replace new items that would end up using more limited natural resources in their manufacture.
The following web sites can serve as good resources to learn more about REUSE:
Goodwill Community Foundation
zwaggle
cash4books
Reuse on the Internet
Reuse Industries
Computer Reuse and Learning Center
Claudine McNeil Brown is the Sustainability/Business & Industry Coordinator in the Department of Continuing Education at Wilson Community College. Brown is a UNC-Wilmington graduate with a B.A. in Environmental Studies and a Minor in Chemistry. She is also a former Environmental, Health and Safety Manager with 10 years of experience in Industry and Manufacturing.
Claudine M. Brown
Sustainability Coordinator
Continuing Education
Wilson Community College | P.O. Box 4305 • 902 Herring Avenue | Wilson, NC 27893 | Phone: (252) 291-1195 | Fax: (252) 243-7148