When are we really done with something? Once the contents of a tin can are consumed, say, is the life of that tin can over? Or, what about an old pair of jeans or clothing that, although still in good condition, may not be in style anymore? What happens to the things that we love, use and replace with newer things? Understanding the material cycle is a an important step to understanding sustainable living. And, all too often, we forget that things that we may not have use for anymore still have value.
There are whole economies built on this notion of planned obsolence—this idea that products, from toaster ovens to cars—need to be replaced every so many years. So those products are discarded—often sent to landfill—and the value of the material is forever lost. Material cycling is about re-discovering the innate value of the material and adding it back into our economy. Recycling programs achieve this by taking materials, like tin and paper, and putting those materials back into new products. Creative reuse, on the other hand, simply finds new uses for excess materials or products.
Sustainability begins with finding balance between used and new. It is as simple as R x 3:
First, Reduce
Second, Reuse
Third, Recycle
