Reuse
Creating pathways for usable items to avoid landfill and find their way to those who need them.
How do we make second-hand the first choice for everyone?
So many of the things we throw away are still in a usable condition. Meanwhile, in a cost of living crisis, more people cannot afford basic essentials. We’ve worked to get usable items away from the landfill and into the hands of those who need them.
Our Approach
Scaling Reuse at Metro Vancouver Recycling & Waste Centres
We conducted interviews and an interactive workshop to identify scalable models and best practices for reuse in the region’s recycling and waste centres. Work is now underway by Metro Vancouver to expand reuse options for small household goods at several Metro Vancouver facilities.
Opportunities for Reuse in Bulky Item Pick-up Programs
Bulky household items, such as furniture and exercise equipment, are challenging to dispose of and may end up illegally dumped in alleyways or public land. We conducted research and brought together member jurisdictions for a generative workshop to support Metro Vancouver in improving the collection and reuse of bulky household items.
Best Practices in Community-Led Textiles Reuse
Across Canada, communities, charities, and municipalities are collaborating to combat textiles waste by sharing, swapping, donating, and repurposing clothes. We conducted a study for the National Association of Charitable Textiles Recycling to identify best practices for community-led textile reuse initiatives.
UBC Residential Reuse Model
Every year, students move in and out of university residence, along with furniture, appliances, and other household items. From 2018-2020, we supported the development of a reuse model to collect, store and resell students’ goods on the University of British Columbia's Vancouver campus.
Reuse Case Studies
As a member of the Reuse Working Group of the National Zero Waste Council, our Executive Director advised on the development of six case studies on reuse. These studies highlight both refill and return systems, dispel myths and enhance understanding of how reuse can be adopted and expanded in Canada.
