In continuation to my previous article on "Resource Depletion", it is important to realize the role of resource reuse. Excess production of any product leads to wastage of resources.  The best method to reduce waste is to not create it - prevention is better than cure. Manufacturing a new product demands a lot of materials and energy, for example, raw materials such as metals are mined from the earth, and the product is manufactured and transported to various locations from where this is sold.  As it may be easily observed, there is lot of material movement and hence lots of energy spent in achieving the end result which is to sell the product in market.  And as wastage of resources is inevitable in the entire process, these resources are rarely cared for thus resulting in their permanent loss. Thus optimized use of resources and reuse are the most effective ways to save natural resources and protect our environment and mother earth.  Based on what is available in the literature, this article summarizes the important aspects of reuse in the context of resources.

Advantages of Reuse

• -Reduces pollution caused due procurement of new raw materials (e.g., more mining causing damage to Earth)

• -Conservation of energy for better utilization


• - Considerably limits the greenhouse gases which is seen as the primary driver to climatic changes


• - Huge cost saver
  
• - Reduces the temptation to just dump waste in landfills (e.g. non degradable plastics)


• - Saves cost by limiting the need / processing for new materials

Implementation of Reuse

• - Always buy recycled products or even used products where possible, for example books. It is efficient to implement recycling units for clothes to raw materials. Recycled items are less expensive and functionally they are comparable with new products.
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• - Products should be packaged with less packaging material. At times, heavy packaging material is used when the same is not required. 
  
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• - When products are packed with less packaging, the consumption of raw material is also low. This helps reduce packaging wastes and brings down the overall costs.
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• - Consumers should be offered discount for purchasing recycled products.
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• - Buy reusable compared to disposable items.
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• - Reuse existing interior structural and non-structural items (e.g., interior walls, doors, floor coverings and ceiling systems) in at least 50% for completion of building work.
  

Finally, reuse is the need of the hour.  Reuse not only helps save time but it also saves money, energy, and resources. From a commercial angle, reuse can help realize good quality products at less cost in an eco friendly manner.

Reuse - Case study

At our residence apartment, we have just launched a drive to collect all used notebooks at the end of every year.  The purpose is to collect all the unused pages and convert them back as small note books for underpriviledged children.  This initiative is in its initial stages and I will provide more details as this matures into a full fledged initiative.

In addition, the same in principle will be extended to used text books, school bags, etc.

Relevant Links:

1.  Image Credit:  franklinmslibrary - PBworks

2.   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reuse

3.   https://www.epa.gov/recycle/reducing-and-reusing-basics

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