We are still down to the basics here but it seems that some people are getting used to the reduce part of the formula, after all it is part of a formula that saves us money. Reuse, the forgotten R can also save money and drastically lower our impact on the planet.

why should we reuse

Just like businesses we are all trying to stretch our products, employees and dollars are far as we can go. If you can get more out of something then you should. Before you recycle, look for a new use for every item (even water can be reused) before you get the urge to recycle it.

If you don’t want to reuse it, you would be surprised how many people might want it. A local theater group for props, a community or daycare center to make arts and crafts. There is an endless list.

Here are some more pressing reasons why we should reuse:

• it keeps the materials out of the waste stream
• it costs money and energy to remove them
• reduces the need for more raw materials or product purchase
• reduces a strain on natural resources and manufacturing emissions
• saves money in purchasing costs
• creates opportunities to develop new products with the old one
• invokes a sense of value in material items (if you value something you will treat it well)

In our next article I’ll give you a great big list (I’m not a fan of lists but this one can get your creative juices flowing with ideas) to demonstrate just how easy it is to reuse things and just how many things really do have another use.