Case collection on reuse and recycling

Learn about the difference between reuse and recycling through a series of examples of the two. The purpose is to give you an understanding of what reuse and recycling are by looking at a range of examples known both from construction and from everyday life.

Teacher's guide: 

2. Brick_EN.docx

Picture 1

Seks avfallsspann til sortering av avfall.

The picture shows a waste station where it's possible to sort waste into different fractions. The purpose of the separation is to ensure the best starting point for and reuse and recycling. Glass, iron, plastic, paper, cardboard, food waste, and more can all be recycled and thus serve a purpose. Virtually all waste can be recycled if sorted correctly. How do you sort your waste, and is it reused or recycled?"

 

Picture 2

En tegning av tre bokser som smiler, der den ene holder et skilt med et gjenvinningssymbol.

Cans are a good example of waste you likely deal with. If cans are sorted correctly, they can be recycled into new cans. This way, the need to mine raw materials and process them into the production of new cans is avoided. Do you separate your cans and deliver them to a place where they can be recycled?

 

Picture 3

Et bord sett ovenfra. På bordet sitter noen og arbeider på datamaskiner.

Most people have probably bought used electronics. That is also a form of reuse.

Refurbishment of electronics has become more common in recent years. Refurbishment means that something used is restored. Several stores have opened where it is possible to sell old electronics and buy electronics that have been refurbished. These stores have made a business out of buying, refurbishing, and selling electronics. This business model promotes reuse.

Picture 4

Et klesstativ med forskjellige gensere på. Foran stativet er det en hånd som holder et skilt hvor det står "second hand" på.

Buying secondhand clothes is also reuse. Clothing of good quality wears out slowly. Therefore, it is often sold online and at small markets. Reuse of clothing can also be a cool sweater that you inherit from a brother, sister, cousin, or relative.

 

Picture 5

En dame som er i ferd med å legge to sekker med klær ned i en konteiner for gjenvinningsklær.

When you drop off your old clothes in containers set up by various charitable organizations, you contribute to reuse and recycling. Clothes that have value are sold on, and clothes that cannot be sold are sent for recycling or other forms of utilization.

 

Picture 6

En rekke med containere på en gjenvinningsstasjon.

When you sort your waste and deposit it in the correct containers at the recycling center, you contribute to maximizing reuse and recycling. From the recycling center, the different fractions are delivered to other receiving centers.

 

Picture 7 og 8

Et stort svart mursteinshus med mange vinduer på fem etasjer.

Photo: Gamlemursten.dk

En grå mursteinmur med et mønster på.

Photo: Gamlemursten.dk

For the construction of Jakobsens Hus in Carlsberg City in Copenhagen, reused bricks have been used. These bricks were removed from another construction site, cleaned, and transported, after which they were used as facade material.

 

Picture 9

En svart mursteinmur med en peis inne i den. Foran peisen står det en skinnsofa.

Photo: Gamlemursten.dk

Here, reused bricks have been used indoors to construct an internal partition wall with a built-in fireplace.

 

Picture 10

En bygning laget av ulike typer oransje murstein. Mursteinene er satt sammen i flere forskjellige mønstre. Bygningen har store vinduer.

Photo: Rasmus Hjortshøj, Architect: Lendager

The picture shows a facade constructed with brick modules cut out of existing masonry. The modules are transported and erected intact. This solution can be used in scenarios where bricks are bonded together with mortars that have a high binder content. Is this reuse or recycling?

 

Picture 11

En bygning laget av forskjellige typer oransje murstein. Mursteinene er satt sammen i flere forskjellige mønstre. Bygningen har store vinduer. Foran bygningen er det en gårdsplass med stier, en plen og busker.

Photo: Rasmus Hjortshøj, Architect: Lendager

The picture shows a facade constructed with brick modules cut out of existing masonry. The modules are transported and erected intact. This solution can be used in scenarios where bricks are bonded together with mortars that have a high binder content. Is this reuse or recycling?

Picture 12

Knuste tegl brukt som underlag i en kommende grønn anleggsplass.

The picture shows an example of the substrate for a green roof. Crushed bricks are mixed into the substrate material. The bricks have good properties for absorbing and releasing water. It provides a good foundation for the vegetation. 

Is it reuse or recycling?

 

Duration: About 65 minutes.

Reading: 20 minutes.

Task: 45 minutes.

Task (45 min.)

In this task, you will use technical terms to describe whether it is reuse or recycling. The purpose is to firmly embed these technical terms into your vocabulary.

Look at the picture examples further up the page to get inspiration for your answers.

Answer the following alone (20 min.)

  1. Find two specific examples you know of reuse from your daily life.
  2. Find two specific examples you know of recycling from your daily life.
  3. Find one or more examples of brick reuse in your local area.
  4. Find one or more examples of brick recycling from your local area.


Present answers to your group mate (10 min.)

  • Present your examples to a classmate and argue why it is reuse or recycling.

Review answers in class (15 min.)

  • Share your answers with the class.