REUSE
Published on 14 October 2020
Denmark
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
REUSE in Aarhus is a new thought recycling site. Here citizens can hand over things that are suitable for direct recycling. Other citizens can then collect these things for free.
At REUSE things get a new life and thus avoid becoming trash.
The recycling items that the citizens hand in are set up in specially designed containers and sorted on different categories, e.g. “The living room”, or “the bedroom”. We made sure to cover the area, so citizens can walk around between the containers without getting wet from rain. Citizens can borrow a cargo bike to carry large goods home. REUSE is open most days, including weekends and holidays.
REUSE receives approx. two tons of recyclables form the six other recycling stations in Aarhus all which have set up REUSE containers, where citizens can drop of their used goods.
Approx. 90% of recyclables that are coming in will be put out at the REUSE centre.
Of this, 90% again leaves REUSE with one of our 300 daily visitors.
At REUSE things get a new life and thus avoid becoming trash.
The recycling items that the citizens hand in are set up in specially designed containers and sorted on different categories, e.g. “The living room”, or “the bedroom”. We made sure to cover the area, so citizens can walk around between the containers without getting wet from rain. Citizens can borrow a cargo bike to carry large goods home. REUSE is open most days, including weekends and holidays.
REUSE receives approx. two tons of recyclables form the six other recycling stations in Aarhus all which have set up REUSE containers, where citizens can drop of their used goods.
Approx. 90% of recyclables that are coming in will be put out at the REUSE centre.
Of this, 90% again leaves REUSE with one of our 300 daily visitors.
Expert opinion
Avoiding the generation of waste is the top priority of the waste hierarchy that governs the waste policy of the European Union. Reuse and repair initiatives play an important role for waste prevention and the need for their wider deployment has been emphasised by the European Green Deal. The reuse initiative from Aarhus sets a very good example facilitating the access to and the transport of reusable items for citizens. The initiative has achieved a very high awareness level among the local population and is used by 300 people daily. The simple set-up of the initiative and the type of support obtained from the City Council can be easily replicated in a different context.
Works at
Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform
Resources needed
The City Council of Aarhus has granted 300.000 Euro annualy for the REUSE project.
Evidence of success
40 % of the citizens in Aarhus know about the REUSE recycling station
Daily REUSE receives more than 2 tonnes of goods that get a new life. The things have been donated by the citizens themselves.
REUSE receives more than 300 visitors daily.
Daily REUSE receives more than 2 tonnes of goods that get a new life. The things have been donated by the citizens themselves.
REUSE receives more than 300 visitors daily.
Potential for learning or transfer
REUSE has become famous nationally as well as internationally, because there is potential in replicating and adapting the simple concept into other places and context.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
other
Denmark
Midtjylland