Reusing Materials

Reuse
Reuse is the repeated use of consumer goods without using up additional resources or creating additional waste. Reusing products cuts your disposal costs, diverts material from landfill, helps the planet and supports people from our community.

Examples of Reuse
 Other benefits include:

• Reuse jars, tin cans, and boxes to store food, and other items.
• Fill plastic water bottles with water and freeze to use in coolers or lunch boxes to keep items cool. Don't forget to leave some room in the bottle for the water to expand when it freezes.
• Egg cartons serve as excellent packaging material.
• In the office create a community area to store boxes, office supplies, and mugs that others can use. Place your unwanted office items here and donate what does not get used.
• Reuse fabric softener sheets in your sock or underwear drawer to keep your clothes smelling fresh or place inside shoes at night to keep them smelling fresh.
• Use the Internet to research thousands of reuse ideas.
• Donate unwanted items to local donation organizations.
• Buy or sell used items through online auction sites or by conduct a garage sale.
• Buy used items or sell something you do not use anymore is a good way to reuse. You can use garage sales, thrift stores, or online auction sites, such as eBay and Craigslist.
• Join the Materials Exchange Program located at each of the county Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers. Orange County residents can take home partially used household, yard, and car care products for free. Availability of free products varies but may include oil-based paint, household cleansers, wood care products, antifreeze, and other automotive products.
• Find ways to use an item again. Donate unwanted items to organizations that can use it to support people in need.