This document introduces the concept of re-use in waste management. It defines re-use as using a product again for the same purpose without processing, while preparation for re-use involves cleaning, repairing or checking waste products so they can be reused. The benefits of re-use include environmental protection, economic savings, and social impacts. However, public perception of quality, safety and aesthetics can limit re-use. The document outlines EU policies and approved organizations that facilitate re-use markets.

1. Module 2
Unit 2.2 – Re-use

2. Learning Objectives
The aim of this unit is to introduce participants the concept of re-use of
products and materials in maintaining their value while continuing to serve their
original purpose
Once you have completed this unit you will be able to:
Learning
objectives
1. Understand the concept of Re-use
2. Knowledge of EU legislation concerning Re-use
3. Understand the benefits and barriers of Re-use
4. Know the opportunities Re-use presents
EQF Levels
This Content is mainly suitable for EQF level 5 students

3. Introduction
As mentioned in the previous units, the EU through its Waste Framework Directive (WFD) and the Circular
Economy package, has taken some significant actions towards resource efficiency and waste management.
In the past EU waste policies have been focusing on recycling. However, in both the WFD and Circular Economy,
packaging waste prevention is being prioritized, with reuse being separated from waste prevention.
Re-use is considered the second best option in waste management, after waste prevention, and includes two
terms, that of re-use and preparing for re-use
In EU policy we draw a distinction between “preparation for re-use” and “re-use”. But they mean something quite
distinct.
• Preparation for re-use is where a product or material which has become waste, but through a cleaning, repair or checking
operation can be used again for the purpose it was originally intended. For example and old bicycle that has been
previously discarded by its original owner is repaired and used as a refurbished bike.
• Re-use is where a product or material has not become waste is used again for the same purpose it was conceived. An
example would be the selling of a second hand car.
The primary difference between the two is whether or not the product or material should be considered waste.
This definition of waste is outside the scope of this module. But the result of both operations is that the life of the
product is extended and therefore aligns with the concept of the Circular Economy.

4. Watch the following video
The video on the next slide provides an overview of re-use and the benefits which arise.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXDRPpU2gaU

5. Re-use
In the Waste Framework Directive (WDF), Re-use is defined as “any operation by
which products or components that are not waste are used again for the same
purpose for which they were conceived”.
In order for a product or a material not to considered as waste (under the WFD
definition) and be ready for re-use without any process, the re-use must be a
certainty not just a possibility.
Almost anything can be reused such as clothes, electrical and electronic
equipment, furniture, bicycles etc.

6. Preparation for re-use
Preparing for re-use is “the checking, cleaning or
repairing recovery operations, by which products or
components of products that have become waste are
prepared so that they can be re-used without any other
pre-processing” (WFD).
In simple words, preparing for re-use means any
repairing and refurbishing processes that will extend the
products life.
In preparing for re-use, the material, product or part has
been classified as waste in the term of the waste
definition from the WFD, but falls under the term of re-
use.

7. Exercise
Have a think about 3 products that you have at home,
that might fall into the
a) Re-use category
b) Preparation for re-use category

8. EU legislation concerning re-use
The EU has adopted legislation and regulations to promote re-use and prepare for re-use tο its member states.
These include:
• WEEE Directive (2012/19/EU) – An overall framework on how waste should be managed and regulated across
the EU.
• Specific product Directives such as Packaging Waste, End of Life Vehicles, Batteries, Electrical and electronic
equipment
Re-use has been prioritized by EU’s Circular Economy package (http://ec.europa.eu/environment/circular-
economy/index_en.htm)
• As part of eco-design thinking, the EU will look to give greater priority to repair and spare part considerations
and greater durability of products
• With the EU’s Circular Economy Package there have been some amendments and additions to the regulations
and targets the EU has set, amongst others concerning waste reduction, re-usability and reparability:
Reduce landfilling by 10% of municipal waste by 2030
Measures to promote re-use and increase industrial symbiosis (one’s by-product becomes another one’s resource)
3% of municipal waste must be prepared for re-use, increasing to 5% by 2030
Provide reuse operators greater access to waste collection points to increase reuse, especially for social economy
enterprises

9. Why Re-use?
The benefits for re-use are environmental, economic and social.
Environmental:
• Diversion of valuable resources from landfill
• Reduce use of raw materials and natural resources
(water, wood, etc) resources
• Reduction of waste generation
• Reduction of carbon emissions which contribute to
Climate Change
Economic:
• Lower prices for customers that will increase
business
• Savings on costs for disposing products by either
recycling, landfilling, or incinerating
• Saving costs from buying new products
• Competitive prices of re-used products compared
to new
• Increase profit of the business as second hand
materials and products are cheaper
• Increase the durability and lifespan of
investments
Social:
• Strengthening the community through
donations, and incentivized return programmes
• Help low income households to have access to
good quality products in low prices
• Donations of old materials and products to
schools, charities, libraries, creative art centres
or other re-use organisations
• Social inclusion and employment for
disadvantaged people of society
• Training opportunities

10. Reasons why public don’t want reuse of products
Despite of the benefits of re-using people remain
hesitant about purchasing re-used products/materials.
According to an Eurobarometer conducted in 2014, the
main reasons for EU citizens of not buying used items
are:
• Inferior quality of products
• Health and safety concerns
• Less appealing look of product
• Never thought of it
Source:http://ec.europa.eu/commfrontoffice/publicopinion/flash/fl_388_en.pdf

11. Exercise
Think about the products you chose on the previous exercise:
1. Do the reasons given in the previous slide exist?
2. What would be the benefits of their re-use?
3. How do you think we could overcome public resistance to reusing them?
4. Why are they being reused already?
Perhaps we could develop a certification system that says the product is fully functional
and not therefore inferior.
Maybe we need to develop the market so that the public can easily find out about
products that are available – (gumtree.com?)

12. Approved re-use and Network Centres
• Approved re-use and Network Centres are organisations or networks of organisations
from where used products and materials are re-used or prepared for re-use. By the
term of “network” it is meant a number of organisations collaborating along the re-
use and preparation for re-use process chain.
• Those organisations are being approved by a public authority, for their activities in
separating re-usable goods from non-re-usable. The organisations must abide with
certain principles such as:
• Health and safety for their workers in their facilities,
• Keeping records of all the materials entering and leaving the re-use centre
• Comply with national commerce and waste regulations and legal standards
• If they are dealing with waste, they need to get the “end of waste” status for their products
aligning with the WFD for End of waste
• Acquire access to the waste market to sort-out re-usable items

13. Markets for re-use products
• Re-use up until recently has been considered of little importance when it
comes to the economy, with the service mainly provided by non-profit
organizations and charities, and social enterprises.. However, there are many
ways to re-use and resell products:
• Charities
• Flea markets, yard sales, classified adds
• Second hand retailers
• On-line platforms and websites where products are being given for re-use and resell
throughout auctions, and retailers (Ebay, gumtree)

14. Re-use Potentials
• 1/3 of all materials in recycling centres and civic amenity sites, and at least 25% of
electronic equipment ending up as waste can be reused.
• 12.2 million tonnes of textiles waste are being generated in the EU, 18% is being
incinerated and the majority of the rest is being landfilled.
• 77% of citizens in the EU prefer to repair their products rather than buying new ones.
• At least 68% of EU citizens are positive on buying second hand products such as bikes,
furniture, electronics, etc.
• 67% of the EU citizens donate or sell products for re-use
Sources:
• http://www.rreuse.org/wp-content/uploads/Making-CEP-more-ambitious-through-more-reuse-and-repair-FINAL.pdf
• http://ec.europa.eu/commfrontoffice/publicopinion/flash/fl_316_sum_en.pdf
• http://ec.europa.eu/commfrontoffice/publicopinion/flash/fl_388_en.pdf

15. Exercise
• In consideration to the products you chose on the
previous exercises, were those products/materials
being promoted to be re-used?
• Are there any approved re-use or network centres in
your city/town that you might collaborate with to
either donate or sell them?

16. Unit Summary
• Re-use is a form of waste reduction
• Re-use includes re-use and prepare for re-use
• EU legislation in place to support re-use
• For the marketing of re-use products exist approved re-
use and network centres
• Potentials of re-using
• Environmental, economic and social benefits of re-use

17. Check these Links
• What is re-use and preparing for re-use ?
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/framework/pdf/guidance_doc.pdf
• Approved re-use centres and Network principles
http://www.rreuse.org/wp-content/uploads/RREUSE_approved_reuse_centre_principles.pdf
• EU targets and legislation on re-use
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/target_review.htm
• Making it Work: A reuse and repair toolkit for your reuse organization
http://cfsd.org.uk/site-pdfs/repair-and-reuse-toolkit.pdf
• Sharing and Reuse Framework for IT Solutions
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9imSckudnvY