Reuse Month
What is Reuse Month?
The Regional Waste Offices will coordinate a nationwide event which will run throughout the month of October ‘Reuse Month’.
The principle behind this initiative is to promote reuse and reduce waste, which will in turn help to decrease the amount of materials going to landfill and being recycled as well as conserve precious resources and helpcreate employment. The aim is to instil behavioural and attitudinal changes through the promotion of pass it on, repair, refurbish, repurpose, maintain and lend, all of which are ways that can give a new lease of life to the items we own. Reusing will cut down on our waste and consumption which is good for the planet and our pockets.
Reuse month will be a time for us to celebrate the fantastic work being carried out by organisations and groups all over the country who have already adopted and promote reuse.
Throughout the month we will be working with these diverse organisations in order to promote reuse by them displaying and sharing their inspirations and knowledge to grow their networks.
Why is Reuse Month important?
Reuse Month is important as it is a targeted national initiative to educate and raise awareness about reuse and it also helps to impart the skills and confidence to the general public to help them make more sustainable choices in terms of consumption and waste.
The past two decades have seen a sea change in how we manage our waste in Ireland. Reports such as the EPA State of the Environment Report and the EU barometer, demonstrate that communities and businesses in Ireland are proficient segregators and recyclers and are mindful about waste and the environment.
However, wastepolicy at national and European level has also progressed over the past two decades and at the same time the economic and social potential of waste as a resource has been recognised. If we are to continue to manage our wastes in a safe and compliant manner and also exploit the opportunities that they offer us to boost local economies and create employment, we need to see our waste as a valuable resource. Making better use of this valuable resource involves reusing materials wherever possible and prioritising the reuse of such material over recycling, recovery and disposal.
Reuse Month will take the concepts at the heart of Ireland’s progressive and strategic waste policy and transfer them into practice at grass roots level. In addition, the activities planned have been carefully chosen to coincide with specific policy actions in the Regional Waste Management Plans.
Who can get involved in Reuse Month?
Reuse Month is for everybody! It is for individuals, families, parents, children, students, communities, local businesses, big business, local authority staff, schools, and social enterprises.
The Regional Offices and the local authorities are also partnering with organisations such as Community Reuse Network Ireland (CRNI), the ISCA, Free Trade Ireland, ReCreate Ireland and the Rediscovery Centre in order to bring relevant and exciting reuse activities to the broad audience for this initiative.
How will Reuse Month be promoted?
A national promotion campaign including logo, branding, social media, digital posters and a media launch and photo-shoot has been designed for Reuse Month. The launch, which will take place in Dublin in early September, will feature The Nualas (comedy singing group). The launch will include a photo shoot with the Nualas and the photos will be distributed along with a press release to the national press. Reuse Month will also be promoted on the Twitter accounts of the three Regional Waste Offices as well as on their web sites and the web sites of local authorities.
What events and activities are happening during Reuse Month?
The three Regional Waste Offices, along with the Environmental Section and the Environmental Awareness Officers in local authorities, will organise a broad range of activities for Reuse Month. These activities will be tailored to different audiences and will range from information provision and awareness raising events to workshop events designed to teach practical skills to help people reuse.
Activities and events will include upcycling workshops, upcycling competitions, promotion for the charity shop sector, the preparation of local repair directories, seminars for local enterprise offices and food waste prevention events. In addition, we will be encouraging people to take a ‘reuse pledge’ where they will commit to doing various types of reuse during the month (eg. to use reusable rather than disposable cups for beverages). The reuse pledge will be initially used as part of the Body and Soul area at the Electric Picnic
Where to get further information on Reuse Month events
The Reuse Month programme will be posted and updated on the web sites for the three Regional Waste Offices (see below).