A Beginner’s Guide to Reimagine, Reuse, Recycle

Learn how to Reimagine, Reuse and Recycle

Old, damaged, or broken items and gadgets that we no longer use occupy precious space in our attics or basements. The easiest way to clear them out is to give them to people who need them. But most of us don’t do it. 

Another way to cut through this junk is to apply the 5Rs—refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, and repurpose. These 5Rs are the five pillars on which waste management stands tall. Here, we give you a low-down on what they mean and why they are necessary.

Refuse: You need to stop using things you can do without. Some good examples are disposable cutlery and polythene bags.

Reduce: You should minimize the use of things you need, such as clothing and eatables.

Reuse: The current “throwaway” culture has increased plastic waste exponentially. Try to replace single-use items such as cutlery, electronics, and packaging materials with reusable stuff.  

Repurpose: Once out of its original use, you can effectively change or convert an item into something else of high utility value. For example, you can repurpose old clothes into mats and paper tubes into organizers. Repurposing includes DIY and upcycling.

Recycle: It is changing the form of a product to make something entirely new out of it. After recycling, an item loses its original identity and changes beyond recognition. For example, old glass bottles, tin cans, and tires are recycled into new, useful products.

Advantages of 5Rs 

Saves money

Repurposing and reusing sound like a waste of time, but that’s not true. You can create various things using old materials and save money and time you would have otherwise spent buying them from the supermarket.

Helps save the environment

Several everyday things are made from depletable natural resources such as minerals, metals, and wood. You can reduce their consumption by repurposing, reusing, recycling them at home, and helping save the planet for future generations. Making and selling these products also reduces our carbon footprint.

Enhances your creativity 

Repurposing or remodeling things provides an excellent opportunity for your brain to think creatively. It is, therefore, a great stress buster. It also gives you a sense of achievement and purpose, boosting your confidence. So, DIY is great for both your mental and physical well-being.

Helps reduce wastage 

Waste management is a significant issue in the United States. On average, a person generates 4.9 pounds of waste per day, totaling 268 million tons every year. Most of this waste goes to landfills without proper treatment, leading to pollution of land and water. It also creates several other health hazards affecting the local flora and fauna. Following the 5Rs helps reduce the generation of solid waste.

About Jane Clauss

Jane Clauss is a two-time Emmy award-winner. She is a television personality who creates fun DIY products using waste materials. You can try her ideas at home and share your experience with her. You can also share new DIY ideas with her through this contact form. We would love to hear from you!