Reusing waste

You may be able to reuse materials and equipment in your own business or another organisation may be able to reuse your waste.

Reusing your own business waste can reduce your costs as you won't need to buy raw materials or pay to dispose of the waste. You may also be able to generate income from materials and goods that are valuable to another organisation.

Reusing waste in your business

The goods and materials you can reuse will depend on your type of business. Office-based businesses, for example, can:

  • refill toner and ink-jet cartridges
  • use waste paper as notepaper
  • use durable cups, mugs, glasses and cutlery rather than disposable alternatives
  • reuse envelopes and other packaging
  • donate used equipment and furniture to charities
  • use greywater recycling systems for your toilets.

Manufacturing businesses, for example, may be able to reuse packaging and off-cuts, and capture waste heat generated by manufacturing processes for heating or reuse elsewhere in production.

You should speak to your staff and ask them to 'think before they throw' as someone else may want to use their waste.

Reuse by other organisations

You can offer waste materials, second-hand products, end-of-line products and obsolete equipment to other organisations which can use them without alteration.

You could try business-to-business online waste exchanges which trade a wide range of used industrial materials and equipment. You may also be able to sell goods and materials on online auction sites.

Some charities will collect your waste items at their expense. Some are licensed to take electrical and electronic goods. Schools may take unwanted computers, electrical equipment and materials. In Kind Direct collects mostly end-of-line and second-hand products on behalf of various charities and schools. The Furniture Re-use Network is the co-ordinating body for 400 recycling and reuse charities.

The reuse network

Donating goods and materials to schools and charities can improve the image of your business and demonstrate your corporate social responsibility policy.

Comply with your waste responsibilities

You are responsible for making sure you comply with your waste responsibilities, such as the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations.

The NIEA has produced a guidance that explains the reuse of materials, and when waste legislation does not apply.

NIEA: Regulatory Position Statement – Reuse of Material

SEPA has produced guidance on how the waste regulations apply to reuse of goods.

SEPA: Reuse Activities and Waste Regulation

Further information

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