Reuse refers to the process in which products or materials that have been used once are used again without having to be processed or transformed. Unlike recycling, where waste and waste materials are sorted, processed and transformed into new materials or products, reuse does not require processing and the properties and quality of the original material are retained.

Some examples of reuse are

• Refilling glass bottles
• Using old cans as containers for spices or storage of small items
• Use of old furniture as shelves or tables
• Using old textiles as cleaning rags or as material for handicrafts

Reuse has both environmental and economic benefits. It reduces dependence on natural resources, protects the environment by reducing the amount of waste going to landfill and saves energy and emissions.

It can also help reduce resource and waste disposal costs and increase the competitiveness of companies by creating new business opportunities. Reuse is an important part of a circular economy and one of the most effective ways to reduce the environmental impact of waste.