Reuse
Keep it on Repeat
In a Flash
Reduce, reuse and recycle your clothes.
Use and use again!
'Reuse' is the second of the 3 'R's (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle). Reusing is all about using certain items again - ideally multiple times – whenever possible before replacing them.
Burning Questions
What does 'reuse' mean?
Reuse means to use an item as many times as possible before throwing it away or replacing it.
Why is it important to reuse?
Reusing products multiple times before replacing them can help to reduce the amount of waste we generate – particularly the amount of plastic we discard. This minimises the strain on our environment and waste management services.
For example, if we throw out our water bottles after one use, that's a lot more waste than reusing one bottle a number of times.
How can I reuse my items?
Reusing is great for the environment, plus it can save you money! Here are 15 creative ways to reuse items – how many will you try?
- Reuse your plastic bags or use an environmentally-friendly reusable bag.
- Reuse paper bags and wrapping paper as school book covers.
- Cut used pieces of paper into scrap paper (a homemade message pad!).
- Reuse oven heat by opening up the oven once you're finished cooking and letting the warm air into your home in colder weather.
- Reuse pens and art supplies by donating them to your school
- Reuse your old food scraps by composting them.
- Reuse old margarine and butter tubs by cleaning them and keeping them for leftovers
- Reuse old clothing by donating it to a local charity.
- Reuse used wrapping paper and save it for next year.
- Never throw away an old book - donate it to a library, a recycling centre or your school.
- Reuse old curtains and sheets as cleaning rags.
- Reuse old glass containers by washing them out and using them for storage.
- Reuse your old toothbrush and use it to clean hard to reach areas.
- Reuse old metal cans by using them to make a piece of artwork.
- Reuse old spray bottles by first making sure they are okay to reuse (see the back of the bottle) and filling them with water to spray plants.
Remember to take your reusable shopping bags with you to the shops.
What Do You Mean?
Most household items can be used multiple times.
Reuse means to use an item multiple times before replacing it or throwing it away.
The 3 'R's of Sustainability are Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
Speedy Summary
Once old boots can't be worn any more, find another use for them.
Reusing items as many times as possible before replacing them or throwing them out helps to reduce the amount of waste we generate. Reusing saves money too!
Teacher's Toolkit
Take this to the classroom!
Curriculum ready content.