Reuse or Recycle ?

Global Warming, climate change has resulted in the emphasis on reusing or recycling of resources at our offices and homes.

But which is better reuse or recycle?

Reusing and recycling are different from each other, even though bottom line is that, we are reusing the same resource. The difference here is that, in recycling there is a process involved before it can be reuse it.

The answer to the question of whether to reuse or recycle will depend on how we are going to use the end product. But there is a cost element in recycling and it maybe expensive to recycle than buying it new. Recycling papers is expensive than using new paper.

Furthermore, some recycle process can even harm the environment. Bleaching of paper to remove the ink, means harmful chemicals (ink) are released into the environment (unless they are properly disposed off - which is an additional cost). But the recycling process has to be done, if the paper is to be used for printing.

On the other hand, reusing won't cost a cent for the user, as there is no process involved. There are many ways office resources can be reused.

• Use of fountain pens (only the ink needs to be refilled) instead of disposable plastic pens.
  
• Use pens which has refills (if you think that using fountain pens are old fashioned or messy)
• Use glass bottles instead of disposable water bottles. They last longer and are healthier than plastic.
• Use natural indoor plants at your office instead the artificial plants. The natural plants will not only beautify (even though the artificial ones can also do the same) but also can purify your office environment (air).
  

Using a compost bin at home is one way of disposing you waste or reusing your waste. The waste is naturally converted as compost, which can be used for your garden.

Therefore if you have an option, where reuse is possible instead of recycling it, I suggest you reuse it. Think of reusing, the next time you purchase any item for you home or office. Its a small part you can do to protect our environment.