Reuse Resources

What You Should Know

The idea of reusing resources may be a new one for those of us who’ve gotten into the habit of tossing the unneeded or unwanted or broken. And in a built-in obsolescence culture, that’s most of us.

The tips listed here are based on the fact that much of what we discard in “auto-dump” mode might be wanted, needed and valued by someone else. Dumpsters only supply the nation’s trash stream.

How You Can Help

  • Use reusables, at home and away from home. That includes kitchenware – cups, glasses, plates, chop sticks and other eating utensils and storage containers. It also includes linens, especially napkins and towels.

  • Use reusable shopping bags, both for groceries and all other purchases.

  • Maintain and repair. This means keeping items, especially those with moving parts, in good working order. It also means repairing things when feasible – shoes and other leather goods, for example.

  • Buy refillable pens and rechargeable batteries.

  • Return wire hangers to the dry cleaner.

  • Participate in the Give and Go Green program during move-out.

  • Here on campus, if your office furniture or equipment is being replaced, list the items on the Columbia Equipment Reuse Program web site to make the old pieces available to others.

  • For personal items, consider FreeCycle, Craigslist and other options for passing along unwanted but reusable items.

  • On and off campus, donate rather than dump. Clothes and accessories, furniture, household items, electronics, eyeglasses, cell phones, books, CDs – all these and more, providing they’re in good condition, have value for someone else.


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