Reusing items is an excellent way to save money, help the environment, and give unused possessions new life. With a little creativity and resourcefulness, many everyday items can be repurposed or reused in ways you may not have thought of before. From repurposing glass jars to reusing plastic bags, there are countless ways to get more mileage out of the things you already have.
How does reusing help the environment?
Reusing items is one of the most effective ways to reduce waste and consumption. By reusing instead of immediately throwing away, we conserve natural resources, prevent pollution, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with the lifecycle of products. Here are some of the key environmental benefits of reusing:
Reduces waste going to landfills
Reusing products and materials reduces the amount of waste that gets sent to landfills. Landfill space is limited, and reusing items keeps them circulating in the economy instead of taking up space underground. According to the EPA, landfills are the third largest source of methane emissions in the U.S. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas, so reducing landfill contributions is important.
Conserves natural resources
When we reuse items, fewer new materials need to be extracted and processed to make new products. For example, reusing a glass jar avoids the resources and energy needed to make a new jar from raw materials. Resources like timber, iron ore, and crude oil are conserved.
Saves energy
Manufacturing new products from scratch requires a lot more energy than simply reusing. Estimates suggest reusing an aluminum can saves over 90% of the energy required to produce a new can. The same is true across many product categories. By reusing, we avoid the emissions associated with resource extraction and industrial production.
Reduces pollution
Reusing helps lighten the pollution burden across the lifecycle of products. There is less extraction and processing of raw materials, reducing mining waste, air pollution, and chemical use. With less manufacturing, there is less water and air pollution from factory emissions. And with less transport of new goods, there are fewer transportation emissions.
Prevents incineration and landfill methane
When reusable goods are thrown away, they often end up incinerated or sent to landfills. Both waste disposal methods lead to substantial greenhouse gas emissions and other pollution. Reusing circumvents these emissions by giving discarded items new life.
How does reusing save money?
Reusing household items, clothing, and materials provides big savings compared with buying new replacements. Here are some of the key economic benefits of reusing:
Avoids purchase costs
The simple act of reusing an item means you avoid having to buy it new. Even small reuse choices add up over time. For example, reusing plastic food storage bags rather than buying new Ziploc bags saves a few dollars each time.
Saves on replacement costs
Instead of replacing items when they break or wear out, it often makes sense to repair them for further use. Patching clothes, fixing appliances, or mending furniture is cheaper than replacing them. And it saves the expense of disposal.
Reuses free items
Many reusable items can be acquired for free. Hand-me-down clothes, furniture found through curbside pickup, and reusable containers from friends are all free sources for reusing. Shopping at secondhand stores is another low-cost way to reuse.
Earns income from reselling
Unwanted but usable items can be sold through garage sales, consignment shops, or online platforms. The money earned from reselling things you no longer need provides additional savings.
Saves on craft supplies
Reusing items for DIY crafts avoids the need to buy new craft supplies. Jars, fabric scraps, wine bottles, and many everyday items can be repurposed into decor, gifts, or clothing through creative reuse.
| Item | Reuse Ideas | Estimated Savings |
|---|---|---|
| Glass jar | Food storage, terrarium, pencil holder | $1-5 per jar |
| T-shirt | Cleaning rag, pillow stuffing, pet toy | $5-15 per shirt |
| Plastic container | Leftover storage, organizer bin, planter pot | $2-10 per container |
What are some easy ways to reuse everyday items?
With a little ingenuity, many household items and materials can be reused in practical and fun ways. Here are some creative ideas for reusing common items:
Food jars
Glass food jars are incredibly versatile for reuse. Consider using them for storage, pen and utensil holders, terrariums, lamps, vases, or drinking glasses. Wide-mouth mason jars are great for overnight oats and portable meals.
Plastic containers
The plastic containers from store-bought foods and takeout can be rinsed and reused many times. Use them for storing leftovers, packing lunches, sorting utility drawer items, storing craft supplies, or starting seedlings in the garden. The lids often snap together as interlocking building blocks.
Newspapers
Don’t immediately recycle old newspapers. They can be reused as gift wrap, desk or shelf liners, shipping cushioning, petcage bedding, campfire kindling, weed barrier in the garden, birdcage lining, or packing material when moving.
T-shirts
Worn-out t-shirts have numerous reuse possibilities before their final recycling. Turn them into cleaning and dust rags, pillow stuffing, pet toys, patchwork projects, headbands, hair ties, or even bag ties.
Plastic bags
Plastic shopping bags can line small trash bins, hold wet swimsuits or dirty shoes, carry lunches and snacks, protect shoes during travel, store off-season clothes, or transport items for donation. Also consider reusing bubble wrap and foam packaging.
Jars and bottles
Glass jars, plastic bottles, and aluminum cans shouldn’t go straight to recycling. First consider reusing them for food storage, household organizers, hide-and-seek games, coin banks, vases, jewelry storage, or garden propagation.
Cardboard boxes
Hold onto cardboard shipping boxes for storage bins, moving boxes, garden planters, kids playhouses, organizers under beds, holiday gift boxes, cat scratch pads, or sorting paperwork. Cutting up boxes also provides material for kids crafts.
How can I get creative in reusing household items?
Reusing common household items in new ways takes a little imagination. From decor to storage to kids activities, here are some creative reuse ideas to try at home:
Decor
– Turn jars, bottles, cans, or food containers into vases
– Make throw pillows from old sweaters or t-shirts
– Frame your children’s art using an old picture frame
– Propagate plants in reused containers of all kinds
Storage
– Use empty tissue boxes to organize office supplies
– Store toys or art supplies in reused plastic bins, buckets, or baskets
– Screw jar lids to the bottom of a shelf to hold small items
– Reuse crates, boxes, and suitcases for under-bed storage
Cleaning
– Cut old t-shirts into reusable cleaning rags
– Repurpose used toothbrushes as grout scrubbers
– Use an old sock filled with dry rice as a DIY pot scrubber
– Store homemade cleaning products in reused spray bottles
Kids Activities
– Make stamps from cut potatoes or sponges and reused lids
– Turn empty cardboard tubes into imaginary spyglasses or drums
– Help kids create buildings and sculptures from recycled boxes
– Make puppets using reused socks, clothespins, or paper bags
Gardening
– Reuse takeout containers, mugs, or jars to start seedlings
– Poke holes in the bottom of plastic bottles to make watering spikes
– Use yogurt cups, takeout tubs, or buckets to organize garden tools
– Repurpose baby food jars or cans to hold garden supplies
Conclusion
Reusing provides tremendous environmental and economic benefits. It conserves resources, saves money, and keeps unwanted items out of landfills. With a little creativity, you can find ways to reuse almost anything rather than immediately trashing it. Developing reuse habits takes mindfulness, but it quickly becomes second nature. Challenge yourself to seek out reuse opportunities instead of buying new. Your wallet, community, and the planet will thank you.