Reuse is one of the best ways to manage and deal with waste with its various problems. Where the process of reuse or reuse is different from the recycling process which destroys used goods into raw materials used to make new products. Reuse or reuse includes the conventional reuse of an item where the item is reused with the same function. In addition, reuse can also be interpreted as reuse in which the same item is used with a different function.
By taking useful products or items and exchanging them without going through the process. This will save time, energy, money, and resources. A simple example of a conventional reuse process is a refillable milk bottle. For more details, in this article we will discuss in more detail what reuse is and also examples and purposes. Watch the article until it’s finished.
Waste Management Using the 3R Method
The application of the ER (Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle) method is one of the solutions in managing waste besides processing waste into compost or using waste as a source of electricity, namely PLTSa: Waste Power Generator. In fact, waste management with the 3R method can be carried out by everyone in their daily activities.
The 3Rs, which consist of reduce, reuse, and recycle, have different meanings. Reuse is the process of reusing waste that can still be used for the same function or use or a different function. Meanwhile, reduce is reducing everything that can result in waste. Then to recycle is to process or recycle waste into new goods or products that are more useful. Managing waste with this method can be done by anyone, anywhere, and anytime. You only need a little time and concern for waste management.
Reuse Concept Example
The following are some examples of the reuse concept that anyone can do, including:
1. Used Goods Exchange Center
These services or services will usually facilitate and redistribute goods that are no longer wanted and still have use from one party to another. The parties involved in it can come from various parties and can act as donors, sellers, buyers, or recipients. These used goods exchange centers will usually utilize household appliances or food packaging that are still suitable for use. Then they will make it available for sale again.
2. Reassembly
One process that is quite profitable is the reassembly of goods that still have value and function. Like machines, CRTs, printer cartridges, and so on. Once collected, these items will be sent to the assembly center and the hope is that the product specifications are the same as the new product. For example, Rolls Royce has an aircraft reassembly factory located in Singapore. Then, Caterpillar has also recently announced the installation of a tractor reassembly in China.
3. Recharge Program
There are already various types of markets that provide refill processes for various types of commodities. Usually the products offered to be refilled are cleaning agents and printer cartridges. Later, the packaging will be sent to a refill center, then reused by the consumer who sent it. Packaging that can be refilled usually has features that make it easier for users, for example the top of the package that can be closed again, a comfortable shape, and so on.
4. Change of Function
Reuse does not always take advantage of products or items that have the same function. For example, the ash from the combustion process and also the power plant is used as a mixture for concrete which is useful for strengthening the concrete. Another example that is easiest for us to find is the use of used clothes for rags.
Reasons Why We Should Do the 3R Method (Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle)
All the goods we use or the products we consume will have an impact on the planet we live in. Most of the natural resources and energy are spent during the production process and the waste from the rest of our consumption must somehow be absorbed. The principles of reduce, reuse and recycle are simple strategies that we can apply independently to help limit their impact on the Earth.
The following are 10 reasons why we must apply the 3R principle, including:
1. Preserving Natural Resources
Recycling 1 ton of paper saves 17 trees and 7,000 gallons of water. As we understand that the natural resources on this Earth are very limited. By implementing the 3R principles, we can contribute to drastically reducing the use of natural resources. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), recycling 1 ton of paper is the same as saving 17 trees and also 7,000 gallons of water.
2. Preserving Natural Space
Mining of natural resources as well as large-scale agriculture often harms natural space. Where by reducing the demand for these resources, it can help preserve natural space. The expanse of oil palm plantations that surround the Kampar River in Riau Province, every year land clearing and burning is carried out to become a plantation area, which has created many new disasters for the surrounding community. Starting from the smoke haze due to land burning, it becomes a real health threat to the community.
3. Save Energy
Mining as well as the refining of minerals and other natural resources for the manufacture of consumer goods is a process that requires a great deal of energy. By limiting the amount of energy used for the production process, it can help save most of the energy resources that exist on Earth. According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, making aluminum from bauxite ore requires 20 times more energy than using recycled materials.
4. Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Most of the energy used during the mining, refining, and manufacturing processes comes from burning fossil fuels. By recycling half of our household waste that can be recycled, it saves 2,400 pounds of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is the greenhouse gas that is most influential in climate change.
5. Reducing Pollution
Most of the waste related to human consumption will certainly cause air, water and soil pollution. For example, used oil should not be thrown away, because it can contaminate soil and fresh water. The EPA alone estimates that around 200 million gallons of used oil are improperly disposed of each year.
6. Reducing Final Disposal Sites or TPA
Most of the waste we generate ends up in landfills. Often these wastes cannot be decomposed naturally and take up to centuries to finally decompose. For example, plastic, where plastic takes up to 500 years to decompose. Landfills take up precious space on Earth and are a major source of air, water and soil pollution.
7. Creating Jobs
Industries developed with the aim of recycling waste can become jobs. In Ohio alone, nearly 100,000 jobs are created in 2000 because of the waste recycling industry. According to Ohio DNR data, recycling creates five times more jobs than landfill management.
8. Stimulating the Creation of New Technology
With increasing social pressure to adopt more environmentally friendly practices, companies will be forced to find more innovative technologies to incorporate recycled materials into the products they make. The new technology will ultimately have a good impact on Earth.
9. Save Money
Buy things you really need and reuse things that can still be used to save money. In many states in America, the fees charged for disposing of waste can be more expensive than recycling it.
10. Creating a Sustainable Future
Our earth has a limited amount of natural resources and waste processing capacity. With the 3R method, we not only help reduce short-term impacts on the Earth, but we also implement sustainable practices for future generations.
5 Benefits of Reuse: Reusing Used Goods
As previously explained, reuse is a non-organic waste management method in which the method is to reuse used items that are no longer used. Repair the function or transfer its function to other benefits. The reuse method or reusing used goods also has many advantages, including:
1. Make Money
Who doesn’t want to get money from using used goods? Of course everyone wants it. Because the truth is, everyone needs money to eat and have a decent place to live. So, to be able to earn additional income, you can apply this reuse method to manage and utilize the used goods that you have. You can sell used goods that have been converted into better goods. The results themselves are not bad.
2. The house becomes more tenuous
Because the used items that have accumulated in the house have been sold, the house will feel more tenuous. For those of you who feel that the house is small and cramped, maybe one of the reasons is that there are too many used items that are already being used again. If so, you can use your free time to process used goods at home to make money.
3. Reducing Expenses
In addition to the benefits above, you can also control your expenses. You can make the items you want to buy yourself with used items at home. For example, like a bicycle that has been converted into a pot container. That way, you no longer need to spend money just to decorate your home.
4.Decorate Home or Yard
Do you feel that your home page is not very impressive? So, to make your home more memorable, you can use used items at home to serve as decoration. There are many used items that you can use to make decorative products that can make your home look more attractive. One of them is a light bulb that is used as a fish holder, boots that are reused as ornamental plant pots, and so on.
5. Practicing Creativity
With this reuse method, you can also practice creativity. Occasionally you can take a peek at various references and tutorials on the internet. Try to experiment with what’s in the house. Make the final touch by applying a variety of colors to make it look more colorful.
This is an explanation of what reuse is, for example, to its benefits for the environment and ourselves. From the explanation above, we can conclude that reuse is a waste management method by reusing items that are no longer used with the same function or used with a different function.