Reuse

Reuse is an important component of an integrated waste management system and plastics make a significant contribution in this area.  

Household Uses 

There are plenty of reusable plastic containers commonly used in the household. Some examples of these containers include our recycling boxes, laundry baskets, garbage containers, composters and food storage containers. These plastic containers are convenient, efficient and easy to clean, which allow us to maximize their use.  

Industrial Uses 

Plastics are being reused in many different aspects of our lives. In the industrial sector, manufacturers are increasingly using reusable pallets to ship products.   Plastic pallets can be sanitized by simple steam cleaning without the need for herbicides and/or pesticides. They are also capable of maintaining colour, are corrosion resistant and are an inherently strong material. Plastic pallets can contribute to the elimination of the unwanted transportation of harmful pests, such as the long-horned beetle which has been carried in non-plastic pallets and has had devastating affects on parts of the forests of Canada. Plastic shipping pallets, some of which are made from 100 per cent post-consumer recycled plastics, are reusable for many trips and at the end of their lifecycle, are themselves recyclable.  

Automotive Uses 

Perhaps the largest user of reusable plastics is the automotive industry. Specially designed plastic totes and containers convey auto parts directly to the assembly line in a “just in time” manner which facilitates ease of access for installation. Many of the totes and boxes can be easily “knocked down” so as to take up less space on the truck heading back to the parts supplier. Other examples commonly found in the automotive industry include plastic reusable moving containers.