Before throwing something into the garbage or recycling, we should first wonder whether or not it could be used again.

Reusing involves efficient use of materials that are already available to us. Re-using an item helps to avoid the resources needed to produce the brand-new item we otherwise would have purchased.

Every spring when planting your seedlings, why not use yogourt containers with holes punched underneath? Those plastic produce bags can be used to cover bowls or plates rather than plastic wrap.

Old clothes can be given away or swapped with someone else, or at the very least cut up into squares and used as rags. If it is hard to find other uses for some items, give it to an organisation, there’s surely someone out there who will find a use.

The City of Montreal offers a listing of re-use entities present within the island of Montreal.