WC#3 - Green Remodeling: reuse centers (pg. 142-145) Ryan Thurmer

It doesn’t take an environmentalist or a genius to understand the benefits of recycling. This article focuses on the benefits of Reuse Centers in terms of building renovations, however a look at the stock of any Good Will or Salvation Army will show you practically everything you can see or have ever used can be RE-used. I specifically like this article because I am a big believer in recycling, and producing/buying as local as possible. THIS DOES BOTH! Utilizing reuse centers employs a local workforce, recycles functional objects back into our production system that would have otherwise been thrown out, and in many cases this center is linked to, and supports a charity. This is why I tend to buy clothes that are ether second hand, or made in America. I try to do this with most things I own or use, while still keeping functionality in mind.

Although improvements in technology are in many cases making products more energy efficient, and less hazardous to our health, it is important to consider buying something new for a slight change in function, over keeping a perfectly working product until it breaks. Then perhaps we should consider enhancing that product through upgrading rather than replacement, to keep our garbage out-put at a minimum.