Reuse
“Reducing” is the most important of the Three R’s to focus on initially.
It has the biggest impact and can have significant cost savings for your business.
Ideas for reusing items you already have:
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Purchase reusable products, such as rechargeable batteries, washable towels
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Purchase used products, it saves money and provides a path for reuse
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Save packing material you receive and reuse for shipping
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Use white boards and e-mail to replace sticky notes
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Print on both sides, write notes on scrap paper
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Reuse binders and file folders
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Use reusable shopping bags, provide reusable bags to your customers
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Use resealable containers instead of plastic bags
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Refill ink cartridges
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Use washable towels, cloth napkins, and table cloths instead of disposables
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Reuse newspapers as packing material for shipping or moving
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Reuse clothing by donating them, turning them into doll’s clothes or using them as rags
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If you can’t reuse an item, sell it or donate it so someone else gets use out of it.
Examples include charitable thrift stores, salvage yards, food banks, toys for tots, used equipment stores, eWaste drop-offs, etc.
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Repair, Refurbish, Remanufacture – The following are examples of items that can be repaired, refurbished, or remanufactured into something useful:
Toner/Ink cartridges, single-use cameras, appliances, electronic equipment
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Avoid reusing items designed for one-time use, such as plastic water/soda bottles.
Studies have shown that reuse of these can release chemicals when they are in less than perfect condition.
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