Reuse top tips

Beyond the issue of saving resources which are often non-renewable, the energy saving implications of reusing waste can be very significant.

Reuse should be applied before recycling. There are many people in the world who could put your unwanted products to good use.

Here are some tips to help you re-use your waste:

• Instead of throwing your unwanted items away consider ways in which they could be reused. You could have a car boot or garage sale and sell items. Alternatively, advertise items in local papers or your local shop may be able to put a card in the window.
• Support your local charity shop or jumble sale by donating unwanted clothing, household items and books.
• Clothing which can't be re-worn make excellent rags and cleaning cloths when cut into pieces.

• Consider donating old computing or audio-visual equipment to schools, or unwanted magazines to waiting rooms.
• Buy used/second hand items. You might even find a bargin. Web sites such as Freecycle (opens in a new window) could help.
• Fix it don't bin it.
• Before replacing cookers, refrigerators and other white goods, find out if they could be reconditioned to give another couple of years' use, or check if a local charity or community group could make use of the item.
• Why not try and spruce up old furniture rather than throwing it out. Is there a local furniture reuse scheme (opens in a new window) near you?
• When shopping, look for longer-lasting, harder-wearing products that are reusable, refillable or rechargeable rather than disposable. Consider:
• • Rechargeable batteries.
  • Hankies which can be washed and used again rather than single use tissues.
  • Use washable cloths rather than disposable cloths and dusters.
  • Razors where the head can be replaced, rather than the whole item.
  • Use cloth nappies.
  • Table cloths and napkins that can be washed rather than thrown away.
  • Wash plates and cutlery rather than using disposables. Some supermarkets provide a glass loan service if you are having a party (often this is a free of charge service).
  • Try to buy products that come in refillable packaging, this will save packaging and money in the long run.

• • Pens that can be refilled.
  • Refillable lighters.
  • The list is endless. Can you think of any more?
• Reuse aluminium foil.
• Say 'no' to unwanted bags. Keep old shopping bags for reuse. Remember to take your old bags when you go shopping or keep spare bags in your car or at work so you're never without. Supermarkets offer their customers "bags for life". These harder-wearing bags last longer - and the supermarket will often replace worn out ones.

• Alternatively, use cardboard boxes or cloth bags for your shopping.
• Buy your milk in returnable bottles from the milkman as opposed to single use paper or plastic cartons.
• Store food in resealable containers instead of wrapping it in cling film or kitchen foil.
• Reuse envelopes, wrapping paper, gift bags, string, and elastic bands.

• Reuse scrap paper; keep a tray for used paper by the phone for notes, etc.
• Plastic bottles can be used as mini 'greenhouses' for young plants. Yoghurt pots are good for seedlings.