Reuse

Reuse is a one-of-a-kind second-hand jacket bought for a bargain price. It’s a stack of ‘new to you’ books where every penny supported a charity. Or that item cluttering up your house becoming a lifesaver when passed on to a friend. If we really have reached peak stuff, then reuse is the future of shopping.

What is reuse?

Many of the things we throw away haven’t always reached the end of their useful life. From clothes sitting in our wardrobes, old curtains stored in a cupboard, electricals we don't use or furniture that just won't fit. If you don’t want or need it, check whether it can still be used by someone else.  

  1. Sharing

  2. Repairing

  3. Donating

  4. Re-selling

Icon showing the reuse symbol

71% of parents would pass on unwanted toys to friends and family or donate them to a good cause. 

6 reasons to keep reusing

  1. Save money, energy and resources.

  2. Find unique, one-off items in second-hand shops.

  3. Second-hand can mean better quality for less money as items have stood the test of time.

  4. Being kind to the planet.

  5. Help your local community and bring people together.

  6. Learn a new skill like repairing or upcycling.

What is Revolve?

Revolve is Zero Waste Scotland’s support programme for the reuse sector in Scotland. Revolve offers information and resources to support reuse businesses to meet legal obligations, follow best practice and to work more effectively and efficiently.

green banner with person looking at a rail of clothing

Take the next step

Need something new to you?

Choose reused by purchasing items second-hand.

Look after what you have

If something breaks, rather than throwing it in the bin, pop along to a repair cafe to make it good as new.

Pass on

Give unwanted items to friends or family, or look out for a local swap shop - swapping events for clothes, small electricals or furniture.

Have a #TrialPeriod

The environmental impact of single-use period products is staggering with 427.5 million being disposed of every year in Scotland. Even worse, one pad can take up to 500 years to break down. 

Trial period graphic in pink, with the text "Try swapping to planet loving five year lasting reusable menstrual pads"
People working to repair an item in a reuse hub

Join the Share and Repair Revolution

The Share and Repair Network is a nationwide network of sharing libraries and repair projects across Scotland.