3rd Board

Extending the Life of Our Objects: Reuse

By extending the life of your objects, you achieve four things at once:

They don’t become waste as quickly, fewer new products need to be manufactured, it’s more cost-effective, and your ecological footprint is reduced.

For example, by buying a pair of second-hand cotton trousers, you prevent as much carbon dioxide from being emitted as a car produces in one day.

You can keep objects in use for as long as possible by sharing them, donating or giving them away, repairing, repurposing, or upcycling them.

Image: Reuse and Repurpose

What would you do in the following situations? Keep reuse in mind!

You’d like to read a book. Where do you get it from?

[Borrow it from a friend or the library. If you want your own copy, consider buying it from a charity shop, second-hand bookstore, or one of the book rescue carts.]

The family suitcase is broken. What do you do with it?

[If it’s beyond repair, think again! With a little creativity, even a seemingly useless suitcase can get a completely new function—like a dollhouse, shelf, or bedside table.]

You’d like to buy a drink. Which one do you choose in the store?

[Choose drinks in refillable glass bottles—after just six washes, they become the most environmentally friendly packaging option.]

You’re moving to a new apartment and don’t want to take some of your furniture with you. What do you do with it?

[Furniture that’s still usable can be donated to social organizations, community groups, institutions, or charity shops. You can also find a new owner through online flea markets.]

You’re looking for new clothes. Where do you get them?

[You can find second-hand clothes at charity shops, second-hand clothing stores, and flea markets—they’re usually more budget-friendly than new ones. Clothes swaps are also a fun and sustainable option.]