Making reuse happen at HWRCs guide for local authorities
The Making reuse happen at HWRC guide for local authorities has been developed to support local authorities to adopt a reuse first approach, to increase the capture of quality reusable items and maximise reuse across their region.
Why reuse?
Around 80% of Scotland's carbon footprint and contribution to climate change is down to consumption: the things we make, buy, use and throw away - often before the end of their usable life. By implementing reuse ahead of other streams like recycling and disposal, we can keep an item in circulation longer, and reduce the need for making new.
The reuse of goods and materials has a key role in a more sustainable circular economy. Keeping products and materials in circulation for longer reduces the need for the use of virgin resources and minimises waste. In a circular economy, reuse ensures that maximum benefit is gained out of a product before it reaches the end of its useful life.
Reuse at Household Waste Recycling Centres
The aim of this guide is to support local authorities to adopt a 'reuse first' approach, to increase the capture of quality reusable items and to maximise reuse across their local authority area.
This guide describes a range of options and sets out good practice to assist local authority staff and their contractors to make informed decisions on how to make reuse happen. It explains the process step by step, from decision making to implementation.
The guide also contains case studies from 5 local authorities who are already benefiting from implementing reuse across their areas, documenting the learnings and “must haves” for success from both a council perspective, and a delivery partner perspective.
Local Authority Reuse Guide
Updated 26/08/2024
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The guide for local authorities implementing reuse at Household Waste Recycling Centres is a live document that will be continually updated with additional information. We would value input to ensure we are covering the most relevant information for users.
