gjenbruker

Gjenbruker is a Norwegian term that refers to the practice of reusing goods or to a person who actively reuses items. The related noun gjenbruk describes the act or process of giving items a new life instead of discarding them. In everyday use, gjenbruk encompasses repairing, refurbishing, repurposing, and finding new uses for items beyond their original function.

Common forms of gjenbruk include buying and selling second-hand goods, donating usable items to charities, repairing broken things instead of replacing them, and upcycling or redesigning old materials into something new. Textiles, furniture, electronics, and household items are frequent objects of gjenbruk, often facilitated by repair cafés, charitable shops, and community swap events.

Benefits of gjenbruk include reduced resource extraction and energy use, lower waste and greenhouse gas emissions, and extended product lifetimes. Economic and social effects can include cost savings for households and job opportunities in repair, refurbishment, and the circular economy, as well as strengthened local communities through shared resources and skills.

Challenges involve concerns about quality and safety, insufficient infrastructure for repair and refurbishment, and consumer habits oriented toward new goods. Policy and regulation that support gjenbruk—such as extended producer responsibility, waste reduction targets, and incentives for repair and reuse—help to remove barriers and encourage more sustainable consumption.

See also: circular economy, repair café, upcycling, recycling, second-hand trade.