Reuse

Reuse is a one-of-a-kind second-hand jacket bought for a bargain price. It’s a stack of ‘new to you’ books where every penny supported a charity. Or that item cluttering up your house becoming a lifesaver when passed on to a friend. If we really have reached peak stuff, then reuse is the future of shopping.

What is reuse?

Many of the things we throw away haven’t always reached the end of their useful life. From clothes sitting in our wardrobes, old curtains stored in a cupboard, electricals we don't use or furniture that just won't fit. If you don’t want or need it, check whether it can still be used by someone else.

Sharing
Repairing
Donating
Re-selling

71% of parents would pass on unwanted toys to friends and family or donate them to a good cause.

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6 reasons to keep reusing

Save money, energy and resources.
Find unique, one-off items in second-hand shops.
Second-hand can mean better quality for less money as items have stood the test of time.
Being kind to the planet.
Help your local community and bring people together.
Learn a new skill like repairing or upcycling.

What is Revolve?

Revolve is Zero Waste Scotland’s support programme for the reuse sector in Scotland. Revolve offers information and resources to support reuse businesses to meet legal obligations, follow best practice and to work more effectively and efficiently.

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green banner with person looking at a rail of clothing

Local Zero Podcast

More and more people are “joyfully buying second-hand” and, in doing so, doing their bit to tackle the climate crisis. That’s the message from Zero Waste Scotland’s Prevention and Reuse Manager Sam Moir, during a guest spot on Local Zero – a podcast focussed on community climate action.

Sam talks about the shift in attitude towards preloved goods and how reuse is a key part of Scotland’s circular economy future. Listen below from 26 minutes in.

Take the next step

Need something new to you?

Choose reused by purchasing items second-hand.

Look after what you have

If something breaks, rather than throwing it in the bin, pop along to a repair cafe to make it good as new.

Pass on

Give unwanted items to friends or family, or look out for a local swap shop - swapping events for clothes, small electricals or furniture.

Have a #TrialPeriod

The environmental impact of single-use period products is staggering with 427.5 million being disposed of every year in Scotland. Even worse, one pad can take up to 500 years to break down.

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