Two examples of reusable items are refillable glass beverage
bottles and refillable soft drink bottles made of
polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic. Typically,
such bottles make 15 round-trips before they become
too damaged for reuse and then are recycled. Reusing
these containers saves energy (Figure 21-8) reduces
CO2 emissions, air pollution, water pollution, and solid
wastes, and stimulates local economies by creating local
jobs related to their collection and refilling. Moreover,
studies by Coca-Cola and PepsiCo of Canada show
that their soft drinks in 0.5-liter (21-ounce) bottles, on
average, cost consumers one-third less in refillable bottles
than in throwaway bottles.