Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle - What is the Difference?

Guest post by: Dixie Schmatz
Become an Author

Free PDF Download
The Easy Side of Going Green - By Dixie Schmatz

Most of us probably know the story of how the Eskimos have many names for snow while most of the rest of us have at most two or three. This is because the more you observe and think about something, the more you recognize small variations. Once recognized, you develop a variety of words to describe these differences to others.

This is true for snow and “recycling.” I had a friend the other day say in exasperation – “Why do they call it repurposed? It’s really just recycled.” If you look at it carefully, “repurposed” is just a more accurate description of what in the past was thought of as recycling, although, to many people the difference might not matter.

So, just in case you are interested, here is what those “tree huggers” are talking about. Actually each name basically says it all.

Reuse: Whatever the purpose, you basically reuse the item for the same purpose more than one time. In my business we reuse boxes for our shipping. We are not actually recycling them because they don’t go through any processing before they are reused. (Of course we do try to peel off any old shipping labels, etc. but that is not “recycling.”)

Repurpose: This means you take one thing and use it for something else (repurpose it) before it goes through any breakdown and reformation. My shop sells “Birds with Attitude” made from “repurposed” metal. Meaning the metal was originally a radiator or a pipe or whatever, and the artist has taken that metal and repurposed it into a sculpture. Another example is fabric. One could buy a shirt at the Goodwill and “repurpose” it into a handbag, baby bib, or anything else one could imagine. The original material is given a new purpose before it may eventually be recycled.

Recycle: The Oxford American Dictionary defines recycle as “return (material) to a previous stage of a cyclic process, esp. convert (waste) to a reusable material.”

In the past, many people have used the second part of this definition to mean basically any effort to take something that was waste and make it useable. For more clarity, however, the first part of the definition returns something to a previous state. – So recycled boxes are broken down and then made into new cardboard. Recycled plastic is broken down and then melted into new plastic, etc.

I am not a linguist, but it strikes me that how we use language can affect how we think. By using more precise words, we may stimulate new creative ways to “convert waste.” My philosophy is Notyak! meaning do what makes sense to you – you don’t have to be a yak herder – but in this case maybe using the more precise words could be an advantage.

Reuse, Repurpose, Reduce: The Secret to Making More Money with Less Effort

Paperless Office – Where are You?

Slow Down, Go Green AND Save Money

R3 for Business

Where the World Sees Junk, Africa Recycles

GREEN Business Practices

Going Green = saving money

Recycling in the Office shows good Leadership

Leadership Tip - Stop Choking Dreams With Fear & Doubt

How to Make Your Office Environmentally Friendly

4 Random Ideas To Green Up Your Small Business

R1 for Business

R2 for Business

Create a "Green" Office

Repurpose and Repackage Your Products To Build Your Six-Figure Online Business

Using Law Practice Management Software To Protect Your Practice From Liability

Start Living Green

Understanding Hard Drive Data Loss & Recovery From Critical Situations

10 Energy Saving Tips at the Office

12 Tips of Christmas

Home > Going-Green > Dixie Schmatz > Reuse Repurpose Recycle What is the Difference > Google +

Free PDF Download
The Easy Side of Going Green - By Dixie Schmatz

About the Author: Dixie Schmatz

RSS for Dixie's articles - Visit Dixie's website
Dixie Schmatz is President and Co-Founder of Notyak - Gateway to Greener Living found on the web at www.notyak.com - You don’t have to be a yak herder to have a positive impact on the environment. Notyak believes that each person and business should take the steps that make sense for them, moving forward not backward, and expect others to do the same. If we all do this, the world will be a better place. ****** If you are interested in joining the Notyak Business Network visit us at www.network.notyak.com ****** Dixie has a Ph.D., is very interested in the environment and has had an Internet presence for several years. Businesses are recognizing the importance of “going green” and as a green business owner and manager, Dixie’s insights can help your business understand the issues, participate in the movement and take advantage of new marketing opportunities.
Click here to visit Dixie's website.

More from Dixie Schmatz
True Green Work
Going Green Saves Green Meaning Money
Should You Switch to Selling Green
Paper Towel vs Sponge
Green Cleaning Means More Than Clean

Share this article. Fund someone's dream.

Share this post and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle - What is the Difference?

Related Articles

Related Forum Posts

Share this article. Fund someone's dream.


Name:
Email: