If you can’t reduce certain parts of your rubbish, the next best thing is to reuse it, either yourself or by passing it on to someone else who can. Sometimes an item is good enough for reuse as soon as you’ve finished with it. Other things may need to be repaired or refurbished first. Reusing things prevents the need for new ones to be manufactured.
What can I do? Reusing Tips
There are many ways that we can all reuse our rubbish and household items, here are a few examples:
Use the blank side of printer paper as scrap paper.
Reuse bags as many times as possible and avoid one-use bags. If you need to use plastic carrier bags, why not re-use them again or as bin bags.
To pick up a Recycle for Wiltshire green jute
bag, visit your local library where you can purchase one for £1.25.
Jute is a natural and biodegradable product. It is environmentally friendly and when discarded will totally decompose.
Buy or make labels to reuse envelopes.
Buy from and donate to charity or second hand shops.
Try to avoid buying disposal items including nappies. Why not use real nappies instead. For more information about Wiltshire’s Real Nappy Network and washable nappies click here.
Why not re-use and recycle rain water by capturing it in a water butt and using it to water your garden.
Repair Items
Repair where you can rather than buying new products. Why not also donate things you don’t want to charities such as Refurbiz who can refurbish electrical items and make them available to households on low incomes. Refurbiz can also refer you to your nearest reuse charities. You can contact Refurbiz on 01380 720200.
Trade In
Buy and sell second hand items at car boot/jumble sales, or domestic auction sales. Why not organise junk swap days or exchange things for free. The Freecycle website is a perfect place to do this.
Recycling Directory
Volunteers and staff at the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust have produced an online recycling directory. This is a guide to the many household items that can be reused and recycled locally and also includes tips for reducing your waste. Click here to access the recycling directory.
If you can’t reduce certain parts of your rubbish, the next best thing is to reuse it, either yourself or by passing it on to someone else who can. Sometimes an item is good enough for reuse as soon as you’ve finished with it. Other things may need to be repaired or refurbished first. Reusing things prevents the need for new ones to be manufactured. 
