Reuse involves cleaning and using materials over
and over and thus increasing the typical life span of a
product (see following Case Study).
This form of wastereduction decreases the use of matter and energy resources,
cuts pollution, creates local jobs, and saves
money (Concept 21-3).
Reuse is alive and well in most developing countries,
but it has a downside. The poor who scavenge
in open dumps (Figure 1-6, p. 11) for food scraps and
items they can reuse or sell are often exposed to toxins
and infectious diseases.