Reuse ensures that goods – like clothing, appliances or furniture – stay in our economy for as long as possible. It includes trading or swapping (e.g. in charity shops, second hand stores or online), repairing, borrowing, leasing and upcycling. For example, if you buy a second hand bicycle or repair your laptop instead of throwing it away, you are reusing.

Reuse is the preferred environmental option for managing our resources because it prevents a product from becoming waste and reduces demand for new products. About 40% of a country’s greenhouse gas emissions are associated with the manufacture and distribution of products, so by reusing more we can reduce our climate impact.

Nearly all of the reuse activity in Ireland is considered to be on the waste prevention tier of the waste hierarchy. Preparation for reuse, on the second tier of the hierarchy, only takes place if something is discarded and therefore is  considered to be a waste.