Reuse of items without reprocessing. This can be direct reuse (donating and buying used) or repurposing an item.
Manufacturing new products drains our limited natural resources, and disposing of unwanted materials pollutes our environment.
One way to prevent waste and improve our communities is to take useful products discarded by those who no longer want or need them and provide them to those who do.
Every community has some existing form of reuse and, every community needs more reuse. In Snohomish County there are many opportunities to reuse items—through garage sales, swap meets, resale stores, etc.
Reuse happens when materials that would otherwise become waste are turned into valuable resources. http://www.redo.org/Benefits_of_Reuse/body_benefits_of_reuse.html
We need to prevent waste in the first place (waste prevention), also known as "source reduction," which is the practice of designing, manufacturing, purchasing, or using materials (such as products and packaging) in ways that reduce the amount or toxicity of trash created. Reusing items is another way to stop waste at the source because it delays or avoids that item's entry in the waste collection and disposal system.
Source reduction, including reuse, can help reduce waste disposal and handling costs, because it avoids the costs of recycling, municipal composting, landfill, and combustion.
The reuse, rental and repair sector includes:
- AV equipment rental
- Antiques
- Book libraries
- Creative or artistic reuse
- Electronic Repair
- Electronics resale
- Engine and vehicle repair
- Hardware stores that repair and rent
- Outdoor gear rental and repair
- Party supply rental
- Remanufacturing
- Repurposing
- Secondhand books
- Secondhand exercise equipment
- Secondhand sports gear
- Shoe repair
- Tailors and seamstresses
- Tool and toy libraries
- Tool rental
- Upcycling furniture
- Vintage anything
