The systematic and formal reuse of domestic solid waste materials is commonly limited to the return of specific items of a single type, such as glass bottles. It is mainly implemented at a commercial level, where companies reuse holding vessels such as glass jars. Formal reuse can save waste management efforts and make usable goods available for private sector entities

Design Considerations

Systematic and formal reuse requires the collection of specific, separate unused items which are of value to commercial entities. Waste segregation at source P.2 at household, public and institutional levels is essential to ensure the availability, cleanliness and intactness of reusable items. If initially mixed with other waste, reusable items might be contaminated or damaged, which significantly reduces or prevents their reuse. Systematic and formal reuse requires collaboration with specialised commercial entities interested in collecting packaging materials or vessels to use for their own or comparable products. In such cases, commercial entities normally engage directly in the collection of items and execute any further processing of them.

Materials

Companies typically collect used packaging materials or holding vessels separately and feed them back into their production streams. Consequently, SWM providers are not involved in the reuse and are not required to provide equipment. The companies normally supply suitable trays or crates for bottles and holding vessels.

Applicability

Because of the need for waste segregation and commercial interest, systematic and formal reuse is likely to be limited to stable or protracted contexts or development settings. The overall viability of reuse depends on the cleanliness, intactness, quality and perceived value of the recovered materials as well as the interest and need of commercial entities to reuse or repurpose the materials. Implementing formal reuse mechanisms in humanitarian settings is unlikely. The availability of reusable materials can be low as the items are often directly reused or repurposed before entering the waste stream. Additionally, reusable items require thorough source-segregation and industries capable of processing reusable items located within manageable distances.

Operation and Maintenance

Systematic and formal reuse requires adequate cleaning and the sterilisation of returned items, but that is usually done by the commercial entities and is not part of the work of SWM providers.

Health and Safety

Qualified commercial entities are required to adequately clean and sterilise the items and check whether their structural integrity has been compromised. This prevents cross-contamination from other waste, the spoiling of refilled food produce and reused vessels from breaking or leaking. Occupational health and safety X.4 is the responsibility of the commercial actors.

Costs

Formal reuse does not cost SWM service providers, as the return and processing of reusable items is organised and executed by commercial entities. The separate return of reusable materials to commercial entities can, however, reduce waste amounts and corresponding waste management efforts and may reduce costs.

Social Considerations

Commercial reuse relies on individuals and households returning specific items such as packaging materials and holding vessels. They must therefore be sufficiently informed about the option and process of returning used items as well as the types of items required.