Which practice involves reducing waste by reusing products instead of discarding them?

The practice of reusing products involves finding ways to use them again for the same purpose or a different purpose without significant processing or alteration. This approach conserves resources, reduces the amount of waste generated, and minimizes the environmental impact associated with producing new items. By focusing on reusing, individuals and organizations can extend the lifespan of products and materials, ultimately contributing to more sustainable practices and a circular economy.

In contrast, recovery refers more specifically to methods of extracting value from waste materials, such as through energy capture or material recovery processes, but does not inherently imply that the materials will be reused as they are. Recycling involves processing used materials to create new products, which can often still require significant energy and resource input, differentiating it from the concept of simply reusing items. Disposal, on the other hand, involves the final placement of waste in landfills or incineration, which does not align with the principles of waste reduction through reuse.