There’s a common misconception in the waste management world between reusing something and recycling it. For many Australians, the terms “reuse” and “recycle” are used interchangeably, but we’re here to tell you that there’s a very important difference! 

Here’s our promise, by the time you’ve read this blog, you’ll know exactly when to reuse something and when to recycle it – and maybe how you can set your household up to accommodate both. 

Reuse vs recycle (the short answer)

Here’s the quick version for readers in a hurry:

• Reuse: This means to use an item again either for its original purpose or for a new one, without breaking it down or reprocessing it. The item stays whole.

• Recycle: This means breaking down an item into its base raw materials and then processing them until they’re turned into something new. In this case, the original item ceases to exist. 

So how does reduce, reuse, and recycle fit together?

Now that the definitions are covered, we want to introduce the waste hierarchy to you. This is a bigger picture framing that gives us an order in which to approach our waste. 

There are various renditions out there, but our waste hierarchy is: reduce, reuse, recycle (in that order!). 

The introduction of ‘reduce’ is no accident by the way – it’s an important first step in the process, aimed at stopping the waste problem at the source. 

Each section serves a specific purpose:

• Reduce = stopping the problem before it begins.
  This is arguably the most impactful action you can make as it asks you to question if you truly need to buy, use, or consume something in the first place. If the answer is no, then there’s no waste to deal with. No manufacturing energy, no transport emissions, no end-of-life processing.

• Reuse = extending the life of what already exists.
  This is all about squeeeeeezing every bit of use/value out of an item by giving it a new lease on life. This means no new manufacturing required and can apply to all sorts of things like refillable bottles, op-shop clothes, and glass jars for storage. 

• Recycle = responsibly processing all that can’t be reduced or reused.
  If something can’t serve another purpose in your home or workplace, it should be recycled. The reason this is at the bottom of the hierarchy is because recycling uses energy, and in doing so, also produces emissions. This isn’t to say recycling isn’t an amazing and valuable part of our waste ecosystem, it’s about reducing our impact however we can.

So how should you choose?

The real question here is, how are you meant to know when to reduce, reuse, or recycle? The truth is that it really depends on the item, but we’ve included a few common items that are perfect for reuse in your day to day life.

• Glass jars: They’re sturdy, airtight, watertight, and dishwasher-safe. Perfect for use as small planters or storage containers.

• Clothes: If it’s wearable and in good nick, take it down to the op-shop where it’ll find a new life in a new wardrobe. Use textile recycling for anything truly worn out.

• Cardboard boxes: Perfectly reusable for storage or moving. Just flatten and recycle when you’re done.

• Plastic containers: The perfect reuse candidate for pantry and meal-prep storage. Can also be recycled when broken.

• Coffee cups: A great candidate for reducing. Most disposable cups can’t actually be recycled, so you’re better off bringing your own!

Those are just some examples, but if you’re not sure what to do with something in future, ask these three questions in order:

1. Do I need it at all? (Reduce)

2. Can it be used again by me or someone else? (Reuse)

3. Can it be broken down and remade? (Recycle)

It’s that simple.

How to implement a better recycling system at home

Leaning into reducing and reusing more household items is a great way to reduce your environmental impact. But even the best intentions can fall short if the right sorting systems aren’t in place.

Getting your waste sorted correctly doesn’t need to be complicated. In fact, the easier it is, the better the outcomes are for everyone. Setting your household up with colour-coded bins is the easiest set-and-forget solution out there. 

With a simple colour-coded system, you’re reducing your home’s recycling contamination, improving recycling rates, and keeping more household waste out of landfill.