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Rethink, Reuse, Repair: Building a Circular Economy

Updated: 7 days ago

Earthub's Items to Keep out of the Landfill Program aims to divert everyday items from waste, focusing primarily on reuse. We donate egg cartons to local food banks and farmers, pill bottles to a humanitarian relief organization for repurposing as medical supplies, yogurt containers to teachers for classroom use, and much more!


But if these items can be recycled, why do we choose to collect them?


Recycle
Earthub collections - March 5, 2022

The R's


The 'convenience' of curbside recycling is that it’s right at your doorstep—literally at your curb. It eliminates the need to hoard materials for over two weeks before taking them to a 'Take it Back' Program. But if recycling is so convenient, why the strong push for reuse?


Common responses we receive about Earthub's ITKOOTL Program include, "I just toss that in my recycling," "Why do you collect these items if they’re recyclable?" and "I thought these items could go in my recycling bin?!" While tossing something in the recycling bin feels better than throwing it in the trash, there are proactive steps we can take beforehand. Let’s explore some methods before recycling:


Refuse: The most sustainable product is the one not used. This means the first step to reducing your environmental impact is to avoid consumption altogether (if you can). By not using a product, you eliminate the resources and energy that would have gone into its production, transportation, and disposal.


Rethink: Optimize the use of your products. This can be done by finding multipurpose uses or sharing items! Companies like LEND-IT.CA are paving the way for renting items, reducing the need to purchase new products.


Reduce: Focus on consuming what you need rather than what you want. Optimize what you already have and seek solutions that lower emissions. Earthub's ITKOOTL Program does involve transporting items, but through careful planning, we ensure these trips are integrated into regular commutes or errands, avoiding special trips.


Reuse: Utilize what’s already out there. Many people buy items like clothing but don’t use them and miss the return window. The next step is to sell them on platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Kijiji. You can find amazing items in these local marketplaces that meet your needs!


Repair: Extend the life of your existing products. Many cities offer resources like Repair Cafés, where you can get help fixing items. For example, the Ottawa Tool Library has been supporting community repairs for years!


Refurbish: Restore your products instead of buying new ones. This is especially relevant for electronics like laptops, gaming consoles, or phones.


Remanufacture: Create new products from discarded parts while maintaining the same purpose. Car parts are a great example of this.


Repurpose: Transform existing materials into new products with different purposes. Textiles that no longer serve their original function can be repurposed into rags, quilts, bags, and more.


Recycle: Process materials from existing products to manufacture new ones. For instance, when pulp egg cartons are recycled, they’re processed elsewhere, where fibers are extracted to create new paper products.


Recover: Engage in waste-to-energy processing. Agricultural waste, like manure, can be recovered to capture methane gas for use in power generation.


The last step is the landfill, where products that can’t be utilized any further end up. By following these steps, there should be very little left for your garbage bin!


Reuse Recycle
Earthub's Infographic for Reusing > Recycling

Reduce Recycling, Ramp Up Reuse


So back to the ultimate question: if Earthub accepts recyclable items for reuse, why should I bring them to Earthub instead of putting them in my recycling bin? Simply put, reuse is the more sustainable option! Recycling requires more resources and emits more greenhouse gases than reuse. Additionally, every time we recycle, we inevitably lose bits of material through processing and manufacturing.


By choosing to save acceptable Earthub items for reuse or exploring alternative reuse options, you’re making a significant contribution to a circular economy. This approach not only minimizes waste but also encourages creativity and innovation in how we use materials.



Every item reused means fewer resources extracted from the earth and less energy consumed in production. Plus, it helps build community connections, as shared items can foster collaboration and reduce overall consumption.


Together, let’s prioritize reuse and make a positive impact on our environment!


Earthub collects everyday items for reuse - email environment@earthub.ca with your city name to find drop-off locations near you! Additionally, Earthub offers circular economy consulting and services for your business, along with collection pick-ups. Book your free assessment now on our website!




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