Out of the Bag: Reuse

The term reycle is often used to describe what is actually "reuse" - finding a second or third or 23rd way to use something. Recycling is reducing an item to its core components (plastic pellets, aluminum, paper mush) and using that base element to produce something new.

As an example, when you recycle newspapers they are used to make packaging for retail items. When you reuse a plastic bag as a trash can liner, you are putting it to the same use a second time. 

While it matters most that people take action, recycling is really the final step and its important to consider other steps along the way to maximize our consumption of raw materials like wood and aluminum. So understanding the difference between between reuse and recycling is important.

Because recycling 20th century post-Industrial Revolution technology, its not really accurate to say that our ancestors "recycled" --- it is more accurate to focus on the "culture of reuse" that has been handed down. This is certainly quite evident from my peers who claim to be the children of "Depression babies" - folks who are incredibly aware of their consumption and make sure to squeeze every use possible out of items, driven by memories of going without. 

But prior to that, the idea of people reusing some "thing" as much as possible just made sense. Certainly, there were no plastic bags in the 17th or 14th or 8th centuries. Using bags made from woven materials or animal hides was the only solution. And when there was a hole or some edge frayed, pieces of those same materials were reused as patches. Seems simple enough. 

Fast forward to 2012. How can we reuse items BEFORE we recycle them?

1. Plastic bags - We've already clarified that these can be recycled and that there are nearly 100 recycling centers in this region. 

• Reuse: trash can liners, emptying the bag as many times as possible before its past viable use. 
• Reuse: lunch bags, again reusing as many times as possible. A little rinse and you can put into the dish rack to use again (great for carrying messy foods) 
• Reuse: cleaning up messes. When I scoop litter, I use a bag and keep the bag in an empty litter box (plastic to be sure) and fill it with each scoop until it reaches capacity. I then put the various single bags into a sturdy pet food bag (Pgh requires pet waste be double bagged) and do the same with dog waste. So rather than 7 separate bags for the week, I can get away with 2 or 3. These will not be recycled of course.
• Reuse: cleaning, general. When I have a mess task, I flatten a bag to catch excess drips or spills. I then rinse the bag off and either find a new use or recycle it

2. Newspapers - also recyclable, for some of us curbside and for others, this requires a trip to a recycling center. 

• Reuse: I spread newspaper under the litter boxes. It makes easy to catch what the cats kicks out and typically doesn't get soiled, just ripped or torn. Then I recycle it. Much less expensive than fancy mats and saves a lot of time sweeping up messes.
• Reuse: I keep some paper on hand for packaging. Much better than styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap and it will (hopefully) be recycled on the other end.
• Reuse: Household projects. The great thing about using newspaper for projects - even painting- is that its easy to cut or rip out the soiled pieces and recycle the rest.

3. Towels: textiles can be recycled at places like Goodwill, even if they are in poor condition.

• Reuse: Once a towel is past its use for its intended purpose, I may downgrade it to a pet towel - baths, messes, bedding. Or use it to wash the car or other items. Still using as a towel, just a different set of items being dried.
• Reuse: Rags. When towels get holey, we cut them into rags. They are terrific for wet messes. We also downgrade worn rags to recycling status.
• Reuse: Donate - If I have perfectly good towels, I donate them. This happens when we get gifts and simply can't store the whole lot. There are thrift stores all over the region. 

So you can see that reuse is very easy. It may require a little extra effort (rinsing, storing, cutting) but think of the money you save - rags instead of paper towels, newspaper packing instead of buying styrofoam, etc

And at the end of the day, you can recycle most if not all of these items AFTER reuse.

What items do you reuse? What suggestions do you have?

Further reading:

• Pittsburgh reuses old buildings
• Donating Promotional Products From Your Company
• Freecycle - the ultimate reuse tool
• Ten "Reuse" Items You Might Never Have Thought to Donate

To learn more about reuse in Pittsburgh, join us for #BlogMob #PghReuse on Thursday November 8 from 5-7:30 at the Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse and Construction Junction.

The Pittsburgh Tote Bag Project collects new and gently used tote bags for distribution to the region's food pantries. We are a project of the Thomas Merton Center. Visit our website for a list of permanent drop-off spots, information on how to organize your own tote bag drive and details on our partnerships with corporations and promotional products items. You can also follow us on Twitter@Tote4Pgh and Facebook.com/Tote4pgh