We all know recycling is important – but is it enough to fix our waste problem? In the last episode, hosts Candice Lawton, Executive Director of Circular Philadelphia, and co-founder Samantha Wittchen introduced listeners to the circular economy and explained why smarter systems like recycling are key to keeping materials in use. In today’s episode, they turn to another core principle of the circular economy: reuse

Reuse isn’t a new concept at all. Decades ago, people brought glass bottles to be refilled, reused metal containers and relied on durable goods long before the rise of single-use plastics and convenience packaging.

It’s time to shift back. In this episode, Ray Daly of Ray’s Reusables shares the story of her refill shop that’s making low-waste living accessible to everyone. Then, Rebecca Davies of Remark Glass and Bottle Underground explains how discarded glass is transformed into new products while keeping value and materials in the local loop.

Through their inspiring stories and the voices of customers and community members – this episode shows that reuse is more than a trend. It’s a growing movement creating environmental impact, local jobs and a stronger circular economy for Philadelphia.

Featured:

Ray Daly is the founder of Ray’s Reusables, a Philly based plastic-free shop and refill station stocking all your low waste household essentials, making sustainable living accessible, affordable and convenient for everyday people — so that a less wasteful and environmentally damaging lifestyle is not a luxury. For more information visit raysreusables.com,

Rebecca Davies co‑founded Remark Glass and its sister non-profit, Bottle Underground, which are redefining glass recycling in Philadelphia. Approximately 50–70 thousand tons of glass are sent to landfills in the city each year. When residents recycle glass through the single-stream system, it is crushed in the truck and becomes too contaminated to be remelted, ultimately ending up as landfill cover. Remark Glass and Bottle Underground offer a better approach: Bottle Underground collects bottles and jars from local businesses and community members, and a portion of this glass is transformed by Remark Glass into small-batch home accessories, creating a sustainable art form while keeping glass in use locally. For more information visit remarkglass.com and bottleunderground.org

To learn more about the circular economy and support Circular Philadelphia's work to transform waste and resource systems for all visit circularphiladelphia.org