Benefits of re-use

There are many benefits to reuse all ranging from environmental, financial and social. 

Along with anything, disposing of waste comes with a cost. The amount of waste we produce as a county and as a nation isn't going to decrease especially with the significant growth in populations. 

Environmentally, a growth in re-use and a decrease in the number of items being disposed of will significantly reduce the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the disposal process and this will create a decrease in environmental pollution. When we re-use items it means a new product isn't having to be made meaning, natural raw materials are being saved from harvesting or production. 

Financially, re-using items are cost effective for local authorities and for the individual buying the item second-hand. Items sold second-hand are sold at a much cheaper price than if the item were brand new. Reusing also saves local authorities the cost of transport and the cost of the disposal process. 

There are also social benefits to re-use. An increase in re-use will mean more jobs are created along with creating training for up-cycling or renovating items.

Locally, Aylesbury prison is involved in a bike scheme with FCC Environment where inmates are trained to up-cycle bicycles for re-use at South Bucks Hospice. This scheme allows the in-mates to gain a Cytec qualification through the scheme at the prison, enabling an increase in employment opportunities upon their release. This scheme has seen 50 inmates over the last year work on refurbishing bikes.