Falkirk: Reuse

Select an item from the drop down menu to find out how it can be reused.

You can get the most out of your paper by making sure that, where possible you use both sides. Try printing on paper that’s just been used on one side or use it for writing notes on.

Shredded paper (and cardboard) can also be added, along with a mixture of other garden and kitchen waste, to home compost bins and heaps.

Why not save used wrapping paper to use again for wrapping other presents?

Alternatively reusable gift bags may be a better option, although they can be more expensive than wrapping paper they’re very easy to reuse and add a touch of class to any present.

Food and drinks containers can often be used again as storage containers. For example, plastic containers can be used to freeze or refrigerate left over food.

Food jars also make great pencil pots and both bottles and jars can be decorated, using special paints, and used as tea light or candle holders. These make great presents and can be used to brighten up your home or garden!

Fresh food such as sandwiches, salads or pizzas can be made at home and then stored in reusable food containers. This helps to save on the excess packaging that can be a problem with shop bought convenience food. The lists below show some of the places where you can buy reusable food containers locally:

Keeping used boxes and packing cases will save you time when you next have to move anything. They can also be used to store larger items and can often be leant to other people.

High street shops may be able to provide you with their used cardboard boxes.

Your envelopes, jiffy bags and postal packaging can be reused again by simply sticking a label over the original address.

Special envelope reuse stickers can be bought from the following outlets:

You can help to lower the amount of waste you bring home by remembering to take your plastic bags back to the shops and use them again next time you go shopping.

Bags made out of cloth or stronger plastic last longer than thin plastic bags and can often be used to carry heavier items more easily. Why not consider using these types of bags rather than accepting new, thin plastic bags every time you go shopping?

This list shows just some of the shops where you can buy bags for life in your local area:

There are lots of ways to make sure that your used comics, books, videos, CDs, DVDs, computer games and small household items are reused. These items can be donated to charity shops, sold at second hand shops or car-boot sales or passed onto friends and family.

The outlets listed below are just some of the places that you can either take your items to be reused or go to buy these items second hand:

Second Hand Book Shops

Second Hand Music Shops

Libraries

Local Papers with a Classified Section

Car Boot Sales

Charity Shops

Games

Community Re-Paint Scheme

Clothes, shoes, curtains, bedding and small household items can be donated to your local charity shops where they will be sold and reused by other people. Specialist second hand clothes shops that buy and sell second hand clothes are also popular in some areas.

The list below shows where your second hand clothes and local charity shops are:

Charity Shops

Your used furniture can often be sold or donated for reuse. Some items may be suitable for trading in as part payment for new items or could be sold at auction, to antique shops or through adverts in local papers. Alternatively you may wish to donate good quality items to charitable organisations.

Outlets for furniture reuse in your area are shown in the list below:

Charities

Auctions

Antique Dealers

Trade In Furniture Shops

Alternatively, used furniture can often be sold in local newspapers with classified sections. For a list of papers with classified sections in your area, click here.