How much does it cost to repurpose? Is it cheaper than recycling and process/destroy techniques?

We're talking about the trash problem and I wanted to know if repurposing (using an item as something else, example: a glass bottle as a flower pot/vase) is cheaper than recycling and process/destroy (which is condensing trash and then destroying it)

How much does it cost to repurpose? Is it cheaper than recycling and process/destroy techniques?
Depending on the repurposing, the cost could vary.





Taking a wine bottle and turning it into a flower vase cost $0, and in fact could be considered a positive net gain (for example, if you needed a vase, you would have had to buy the vase if you didn't have the bottle).





Repurposing other things (such as making folders and utensils out of old license plates, or striping an old car of harmful chemical parts and dropping the frame into the ocean as a foundation for an artificial reef) could be more expensive... but if there is an artistic element to it, it may be rewarding in other ways that can not be measured in dollars.





Recycling does have a cost associated with it, but it is generally better than "trashing" because you are reusing the material and you are not taking up landfill space.





Although, unfortunately, this net benefit is only seen in a complete system (meaning, individuals may not see the dollar benefit, but the whole society benefits in ways that are not easily measured - like less landfills and less mining for raw materials that pollutes the environment), so individuals are not generally monitarily incentivized to recycle.





I'm not completely certain what you would like to repurpose, so this is a general answer... hope this helps.