Reusing? Recycling? Many people aren't entirely sure of the difference and to be honest I wasn't even sure what the difference was before I read this article. Well, to make it simple recycling is the reprocessing of something where reusing is extending the life of a something.
To go along with my big lifestyle change I'm trying to do I've been also trying to reuse more of the bottles, boxes, containers, etc that my foods come in.
From what I've been reading online, reusing is actually better for the environment because the energy and resources (gas for the recycling trucks, the fuel it takes to actually break down and begin the recycling process, etc) is much more than it is if people were to find new ways to use their old items.
Here are some of the top reasons why reusing is better than recycling:
1. Reuse keeps goods and materials out of the waste stream
2. Reuse advances source reduction
3. Reuse preserves the “embodied energy” that was originally used to manufacture an item
4. Reuse reduces the strain on valuable resources, such as fuel, forests and water supplies, and helps safeguard wildlife habitats
5. Reuse creates less air and water pollution than making a new item or recycling
6. Reuse results in less hazardous waste
7. Reuse saves money in purchases and disposal costs
8. Reuse generates new business and employment opportunities for both small entrepreneurs and large enterprises
9. Reuse creates an affordable supply of goods that are often of excellent quality.
(tips found at care2makeadifference)
So, to sum things up recycling is green but reusing is GREENER!
Side note, check out this website it's called chasing green and they literally have hundreds of ways to reuse your household items.
