Further information

Here are the general ad placement criteria of BENU REUSE:

well preserved
visually appealing
clean
in working order
complete
no need for repair
suitable for direct subsequent use
can be stored in the BENU REUSE van and transported by two people.

In the spirit of sustainability, we apply even stricter standards to a variety of items. Under the individual categories, we explain why certain items are excluded from being passed on, and provide some advice on what you should pay attention to when continuing to use them. You will also get some advice and suggestions for a more sustainable consumption.

If your item cannot be passed on via BENU REUSE, consult the REUSE service. Here, you will find many organizations, initiatives and businesses that accept, forward, repair or sell used items.

Roof coverings, roof tiles, concrete roof tiles, rain gutter, downpipe ...

BENU REUSE won't pass on any tar paper, roofing felt, waterproofing sheet or solder
BENU REUSE won't pass on any lead roof covering
BENU REUSE won't pass on any tiles that are clearly made of natural slate
Any other materials, such as concrete tiles, fiber cement, corrugated sheets etc., will only be passed on when a full product identification, as well as the exact production and sale date (as of 2001, i.e verifiably asbestos-free) can be provided

During any roof work, asbestos and other harmful substances could be released. You should therefore always seek professional advice prior to any maintenance, dismantling or renovation work!

Older roof coverings such as tiles, roofs and corrugated sheets often contain asbestos. During construction and demolition work, released asbestos fibres can be inhaled and cause serious health problems. BENU REUSE therefore only passes on materials that are clearly and verifiably asbestos-free. Among asbestos-free materials are natural slate and concrete tiles, tiles, fiber cement, corrugated sheets etc. made in or after 2001 - that is, when the sale of any asbestos-containing products was banned in Luxembourg.

Due to a possible pollution, we also refrain from passing on any tar paper, roofing felt, waterproofing and welding sheet. Those materials may contain not only asbestos, but tar and harmful PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons) as well.

Lead blankets, which were often installed in connection areas (e.g on the chimney), are also excluded from being passed on via BENU REUSE. Lead can be harmful to the environment, because toxic roof particles may enter the ground or sewers through rainwater. When working with lead, one risks inhaling toxic and unhealthy lead dust and vapors.

In order to protect the environment, we recommend avoiding copper roofs and galvanized sheets for new, large-scale roof coverings. The use of zinc or copper for roofing, rain gutters, cladding, downpipes, chimneys and skylights can lead to an increased heavy metal pollution in surface waters. Due to the weathering of the zinc and copper surfaces, as well as the rinsing of the corrosion products with rain, the heavy metals get into the roof runoff. If discharged directly into surface waters - such as lakes or rivers - via the rain runoff, they can cause great harm. You can find out more about this here.

Used building materials that cannot be used anymore, that are polluted or contain harmful substances to your health and the environment must be disposed of properly. Prior to any demolition work, it is best to seek advice from a specialist company. Of course, the local recycling centre and the “SuperDreckskëscht” (recycling centre or mobile collection) are also valuable points of contact.

Slate cladding, wood cladding for inside or outside, clinker ...

BENU REUSE passes on facade or wall cladding which is clearly made of solid wood, clinker brick or natural slate
Other materials will only be passed on when a full identification of the product, as well as the exact date of production or sale (as of 2001, verifiably asbestos-free) can be provided
BENU REUSE only passes on cladding without glue, putty or grout residue

When working on facades and walls, asbestos and other harmful substances could be released. You should therefore always seek professional advice prior to any maintenance, dismantling or renovation work!

Wood that has been used for exterior facades is often treated with wood preservatives and painted with paints unsuitable for interior use. For your own safety, wood or other treated materials which have already been used outdoors should therefore only be reused in the outdoor area! Indoors, they could cause harmful vapours.

Older facade coverings, such as facade panels or shingles (sometimes referred to as "artificial slate"), as well as wall coverings and insulation boards often contain asbestos. If asbestos fibres are released during construction and demolition work, they can be inhaled and cause serious health problems. Thermal insulators made from man-made mineral fibers (glass, rock and mineral wool) - manufactured until 2000 - are asbestos-free, but are suspected of being carcinogenic. Cladding, bonded insulation (mineral or plastic) and adhesive compounds can also be problematic. Glues, levelling compounds and jointing plasters are not only suspected of having an asbestos bond; they may also contain other harmful substances such as PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) or PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons).

It can be assumed that many facades and wall coverings in Luxembourg still contain asbestos or other pollutants. Therefore, BENU REUSE only passes on materials which are verifiably asbestos-free and PCB-free, i.e façade and wall cladding from 2001 onwards. Facade and wall claddings made of solid wood, clinker or natural slate can also be passed on. In addition, only non-glued materials, i.e sidings without any residues of glue, mortar, grout etc. will be passed on. In case of wood panelling that has already been installed, the donor should indicate its previous use (exterior/interior) and treatment so that the receiver can properly assess whether or how further use is safe.

As of the 1960s, more and more woodwork was used both indoors and outdoors, and it was usual to use wood preservatives. In the case of outdoor wooden facades, one must always assume that a treatment with wood preservatives has taken place. Such material should never be used indoors or treated in any other way, as this could release harmful substances indoors.

Used building materials which cannot be reused, which are contaminated or contain harmful substances to your health and the environment must be disposed of properly. Prior to any demolition work, you should rely on advice from a specialist company. Of course, your local recycling centre and the “SuperDreckskëscht” (recycling centre or mobile collection) will also be helpful.

Windows, panes of glass, plexiglass, window sills, shutters, blinds ...

BENU REUSE does not pass on any material with adhesive, sealant, joint compound residue or window sealant
BENU REUSE only passes on window sills made of natural stone or solid wood
Window sills made of other materials will only be passed on if a full product identification, along with the exact production or sale date (as of 2001 on, verifiably asbestos-free) can be provided

During any demolition and renovation work, asbestos or other harmful substances may be released. You should therefore always seek professional advice before any maintenance, dismantling or renovation work!

Exterior wood windows are often treated with wood preservatives and painted with paints that are not suitable for interior use. Wood or wooden materials which have been treated with such products and used outdoors should therefore only be reused in the outdoor area as well! Indoors, these could release harmful vapours.

In the past, glass sealant containing asbestos was often used to seal windows. Older window sills are often made of fiber cement. If asbestos fibers are released during renovation work, they can be inhaled and cause serious health problems. Glues, plasters and grouts which were previously used for installing components - such as windows - may contain not only asbestos, but also harmful PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) or PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons). Today, window frames are mainly attached with polyurethane assembly foam, which is made from toxic isocyanate and often contains flame retardants. Both the production and disposal of polyurethane building foams are problematic.

Due to the possible pollution, BENU REUSE only passes on windows without sealant and adhesive residue, joint sealant or construction foam. In order to avoid passing on items that contain asbestos, window sills will only passed on if they are obviously made of solid wood or natural stone, or if they were verifiably manufactured in or after 2001 (when the sale of products containing asbestos was banned in Luxembourg).

As for used wooden windows, the donor should provide information regarding their previous use (exterior / interior) and treatment in order for the receiver to be able to assess properly whether and how a further use is harmless - considering that outdoor wood has often been treated with wood preservatives. Such material should never be reused indoors or treated in any other way, as one would risk releasing harmful substances.

For reasons of energy loss, you should not use single-glazed windows in external walls. For new windows, we recommend you to invest in double- or even triple-glazed windows.

To compare: with open shutters or windows, an outside temperature of 0°C and a room temperature of 20°C (measured in the middle of the room), the temperature of the window pane for a single-glazed window is around 5°C; around 11°C for double-glazed windows that are more than twenty years old; 17°C for modern double glazed windows (with thermal insulation coating) and 18°C for triple glazed windows (with double thermal insulation coating).

If the installation of modern, double- or triple-glazed windows is not possible, you can still save heating energy. Open the shutters and blinds during the day to use solar energy as an additional heat source. Close them as soon as it gets dark, so that the window panes don't cool down too much. For more advice click here.

Due to its harmful ingredients, you should refrain from using polyurethane assembly foam when installing window frames and shutters. Among possible alternatives are Kompri sealing tapes, mineral wool, natural fibers or solvent-free spray cork.

Used building materials that cannot be reused, that are contaminated or contain substances that are harmful to your health and the environment must be disposed of properly. Prior to any demolition work, you should rely on advice from a specialist company. Of course, the local recycling centre and the “SuperDreckskëscht” (recycling centre or mobile collection) may also be helpful.

BENU REUSE won't pass on any doors with adhesive, (window) sealant or joint compound residue
BENU REUSE only passes on doors with glass insert without window sealant
Fire doors and chamber doors with glass infill (panel doors) will only be passed on when a full product identification, as well as the exact date of production or sale (as of 2001, verifiably asbestos-free) can be provided

During demolition and renovation work, asbestos or other harmful substances could be released. You should therefore always seek professional advice before any maintenance, dismantling or renovation work!

Exterior wooden doors are often treated with wood preservatives and painted with paints that are not suitable for interior use. Wood or other treated materials which have already been used outdoors should therefore only be reused outdoors as well! Indoors, harmful vapours could be released.

As for some older fire doors, there are often asbestos-containing materials embedded in locks, door panels, or door frames. Old room doors with panels (called panel doors) may contain asbestos or man-made mineral fibers (glass, rock, mineral wool). If asbestos fibers are released and inhaled during renovation work, serious health problems can arise. Man-made mineral fibers, which were manufactured until around 2000, do not contain asbestos, but are suspected of being carcinogenic. Glues, sealants and grouts which were previously used for the installation of individual components (such as doors), may contain asbestos, as well as harmful PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) or PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons). In the past, window sealants containing asbestos were often used to seal windows. Today, door frames are often attached using "polyurethane foam assembly", which is made from harmful isocyanate and often contains flame retardants. Both the production and disposal of polyurethane building foams are problematic.

Due to a possible pollution, BENU REUSE only passes on doors without any sealant (for glass inserts), grout or adhesive residues. In order to avoid passing on doors that may contain asbestos, panel chamber doors and fire doors will only be passed on if they have verifiably been manufactured in or after 2001 (when the sale of products containing asbestos had been banned in Luxembourg). Particularly when it comes to wooden doors, the donor should indicate its previous use (exterior / interior) and treatment in order for the receiver to be able to assess properly whether and how its further use may be harmless. Exterior wooden doors have often been treated with wood preservatives; such material should never be reused indoors or treated in any other way, as one risks the release of harmful substances.

Due to its harmful ingredients, you should avoid using polyurethane assembly foam when installing door frames. Possible alternatives are Kompri sealing tapes, mineral wool, natural fibers or solvent-free spray cork.

Used building materials that cannot be reused, that are contaminated or contain substances that are harmful to your health and the environment must be disposed of properly. Prior to any demolition work, you should rely on advice from a specialist company. Of course, the local recycling centre and the “SuperDreckskëscht” (recycling centre or mobile collection) may also be helpful.

Steps, stairs, railings ...

BENU REUSE will only pass on stairs without any glue, putty or mortar residues

During demolition and renovation work, asbestos or other harmful substances to your health and the environment could be released. You should therefore always seek professional advice before any maintenance, dismantling or renovation work!

Exterior wooden stairs are often treated with wood preservatives and painted with paints that are not suitable for interior use. Wood or other treated materials which have already been used outdoors should therefore only be reused outdoors as well! Indoors, these could release harmful vapours.

In the past, one frequently used adhesives and sealant when installung stairs and railings, for instance. These may not only contain asbestos, but harmful PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) or PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) as well.

Therefore, BENU REUSE only passes on stairs and ramps without any grout or glue residue. Particularly in the case of used outdoor wooden stairs and railings, the donor should indicate their previous use (exterior / interior) and treatment, in order for the receiver to be able to properly assess whether and how further use is harmless. Outdoor wood used has often been treated with wood preservatives that may release substances harmful to health - which is why such a material should never be reused indoors or treated in any other way.

Used building materials that cannot be reused, that are contaminated or contain substances that are harmful to your health and the environment must be disposed of properly. Prior to any demolition work, you should rely on advice from a specialist company. Of course, the local recycling centre and the “SuperDreckskëscht” (recycling centre or mobile collection) may also be helpful.

Parquet, wooden floorboards, laminate, cork, linoleum….

BENU REUSE only passes on non-glued floor coverings
BENU REUSE won't pass on any PVC floor coverings

Outdoor floor coverings made of wood are often treated with wood preservatives and painted with paints that are not suitable for interior use. Wood or other treated materials which have already been used outdoors should therefore only be reused outdoors as well! Indoors, these could release harmful vapours.

Until the1980s, asbestos-containing floor coverings such as “PVC cushion vinyl”, “floor flex” panels and “asphalt tiles” were often used in interior construction. Some of them still are to be found in old buildings today. If asbestos fibers are released and inhaled during renovation work, they can cause serious health problems.

In the past, one often used glues based on brown-black bitumen or tar to bond floor coverings, which did not only contain asbestos, but other harmful substances such as PAHs (aromatic hydrocarbons polycyclic) as well. In addition, parquet floors were often glued with glues containing PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons). Due to a possible pollution by adhesives, used floor coverings are only passed on via BENU REUSE if they are completely free of any adhesive residue, i.e which have been laid completely "floating", or that have been nailed or screwed.

There are a lot of different floor coverings in use today. Depending on the materials, these can represent a potential source of indoor pollution. In order for the receiver to know in advance which material the flooring is made of and what use it may be suitable for, a detailed description of the product should be provided. Especially when it comes to parquet floors, the donor should, if possible, indicate the age, as well as the previous use (exterior / interior) and treatment, in order for the receiver to be able to properly assess whether and how their further use is harmless. Used outdoor wood is often treated with wood preservatives and should never be used indoors or treated in any other way, as harmful substances could be released.

Today, PVC (polyvinyl chloride) floor coverings no longer contain asbestos, but still cause considerable health and environmental problems on every level, from its production to its disposal. PVC contains large amounts of additives, such as plasticizers, stabilizers - such as tin -, heavy metal dyes or flame retardants. These can be released and enter the ambient air or house dust. In addition, recycling PVC is highly problematic due to the large amount of additives. During its combustion, for instance, toxic dioxins can be released. Due to these serious side effects on both the environment and health, PVC coverings won't be passed on via BENU REUSE.

Due to their large surface, floor coverings have a particularly high potential to pollute indoor air. The risk of pollution depends on the respective materials and their treatment. Information on this, as well as a decision-making aid to select your floor covering can be found here. You can recognize floor coverings that are more health-friendly, for example, thanks to the "Blauer Engel" quality label.

When buying new wooden floors, you should make sure that they come from sustainably managed forests. You can recognize wood products from a certified forestry by these quality labels:

FSC seal of the Forest Stewardship Council
PEFC seal of the PEFC Council (Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes)

The Wood Guide by Greenpeace provides an overview of the most common furniture, construction and firewood, as well as advice on those types of wood which can be used with a clear conscience. In case of wooden floors, a problematic pollution can be linked to its processing and treatment. Be cautious when sanding wooden floorboards or parquet! A respiratory protection and a suction device are indispensible, as wood dust can be very irritating. Oak and beech dust even have a carcinogenic potential.

For any further treatment and care of your wooden floor, we recommend using environmentally friendly and health-compatible paints, waxes and oils. These products are (largely) free of problematic ingredients such as solvents, formaldehyde or plasticizers. All available products differ considerably in terms of their polluting potential. You can find a selection of environmentally-friendly products and advice on how to use them at “Clever akafen”

Further quality labels, by which you can recognize comparatively harmless products for wood treatment and care, are:

Used floor coverings that cannot be reused, that are contaminated or contain substances that are harmful to your health and the environment must be disposed of properly. Prior to any demolition work, you should rely on advice from a specialist company. Of course, the local recycling centre and the “SuperDreckskëscht” (recycling centre or mobile collection) may also be helpful.

Natural stone slabs, paving, masonry stones, bricks, tiles ...

BENU REUSE only passes on clearly separated materials
BENU REUSE won't pass on any material contaminated by mortar, concrete, glue, grout or similar

Glues, patchs and grouts which one previously used to lay tiles, slabs or pavers may contain asbestos or other dangerous substances, such as PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) or PAHs (polycyclic aromatics) hydrocarbons).

Due to a possible pollution caused by adhesives, BENU REUSE only passes on natural stone and tiles without any residue of adhesives, mortar, grout, etc. Since recently, bricks with integrated insulating material are available on the market. In relation to such products, the donor should provide a complete description of the product, in order for the receiver to be able to think properly about how to safely reuse the materials in question.

Various natural stones used in interior construction - such as granite, porphyry, basalt and slate - can come with an increased radioactivity. In contrast, sand-lime bricks, marble or sandstone, for instance, do not present an increased radioactivity. Increased radioactivity is particularly problematic in areas where people stay for long periods of time. If you want to use natural stones which could be radioactive in your living area, we recommend that you ask the supplier or manufacturer about the radionuclide concentration or have the radioactivity checked. Mind that an increased radon level can also originate from the subsoil. It is therefore advisable to have the radon concentration measured in the house. An increased radon concentration in the apartment/house represents a health hazard for the residents, regardless of where it comes from. You can find out more about this here and here.

The glaze on tiles can come with an increased level of radioactive contamination as well; in the past, uranium-containing pigments were used for coloring (red, green, yellow, brown). In Germany, for example, one added red mud (a waste material) to red tiles, which caused their radioactive radiation. If you feel insecure about the safety of a material, you should have their radon concentration measured. You can find more information about glazed tiles and tips on how to handle them here.

When laying tiles or natural stone, adhesives used grout can be causes for a pollution. To protect the environment and your health, we recommend that you use products that are as environmentally-friendly as possible. Quality marks by which you can recognize such products are:

Concrete slabs, concrete pavement, building blocks, palisades...

BENU REUSE will only pass on clearly separated materials
BENU REUSE won't pass on any material contaminated by mortar, concrete, glue, grout or similar

During any demolition and renovation work, asbestos or other harmful substances could be released. You should therefore always seek professional advice before any maintenance, dismantling or renovation work!

Glues, patchs and grouts which were formerly used for laying tiles, slabs or pavers may contain asbestos or other dangerous substances, such as PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) or PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons). Due to a possible pollution by adhesives, BENU REUSE only passes on concrete stone without any residues of adhesives, mortar, grout, etc.

There are bricks in which insulating material is already integrated into the perforated chambers. As for such products, it would be best if the donor would provide a detailed description of it, so that the customer can properly assess how to best reuse the material in question.

When laying tiles or natural stone, adhesives and grout can cause pollution. To protect the environment and your health, we recommend that you use products that are as environmentally-friendly as possible.

Thanks to quality labels such as the following, you can recognize those products which are more environmentally-friendly:

Bars, plates, rails, metal profiles, sheets, steel girders…

During demolition and renovation work, asbestos and other harmful substances could be released. You should therefore always seek professional advice before any maintenance, dismantling or renovation work!

Used metal that cannot be reused should be disposed of properly. Metal waste can be returned to the economic cycle with relatively little loss; this, in turn, reduces the negative consequences for the environment and health which arise because of the extraction and processing of ores. Before any major demolition work, you should seek advice from a specialised company. Of course, the local recycling centre and the “SuperDreckskëscht” (recycling centre or mobile collection) may also be helpful.

Beams, boards, panels, plywood, solid wood…

BENU REUSE won't pass on wood infested with insects
BENU REUSE won't pass on wood with any glue residue
BENU REUSE only passes on wood when clear information regarding its age and former use are available

Wood used outdoors is often treated with wood preservatives and painted with paints that are not suitable for indoor use. Outdoor wood should therefore only be reused outdoors as well! Indoors, it could release harmful vapours. If you want to know if the wood in your house has been treated with toxic wood preservatives, you can have a wood or dust sample examined.

Avoid chopping up and processing treated wood and wood-based materials, as this could result in the release of harmful substances!

Built-in wood can be infested with woordworms. These are the larvae of the so-called "furniture beetle" (Anobium punctatum), which eat their way through the wood and produce two to three millimeter holes and small heaps of wood dust. Wood in heated apartments is rather rarely affected by woodworms, while they are more likely to occur in wood stored in a humid with moderate temperatures, such as old sheds or cellars. Before you offer old wood, please check if it is infested with woodworms.

In the past, wood was regularly treated with harmful substances, mainly to protect it from insects. Even today there are harmful products in use. Outdoor wood, for instance, has often been treated with wood preservatives. Such material should never be used indoors or processed in any other way, as this could release harmful substances. In the past, wood preservatives were used indoors as well - a chemical wood protection against insect infestations was even mandatory for load-bearing wooden elements in buildings. Many of these substances are now banned due to their toxicity. For this reason, the donor should provide some detailed information on the age, the previous use (outside / inside) and treatment of the wood in question. This enables the receiver to properly assess whether and how the wood can be reused safely.

In the past, brown-black bitumen or tar adhesives containing asbestos and other harmful substances - such as PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) - , were used to bond wooden elements such as floor coverings and cladding. In order to prevent such contaminated materials from being passed on, BENU REUSE only passes on wood without any residues of adhesives, mortar, grout, etc.

Plywood, chipboard and fibreboard are often used as an inexpensive substitute for solid wood. However, to make a solid board out of the loose chips, chipboard contains adhesives - in other words, mostly formaldehyde resin. Formaldehyde contained in adhesives will be released permanently from the building material as a gas, and pollute the room air. The substance is considered carcinogenic and can cause allergies, skin, respiratory tract or eye irritation. In the past, chipboard contained such high concentrations of formaldehyde that it was officially considered a health hazard. Today, wood-based materials are classified into one of three "emission classes" according to their so-called "formaldehyde compensation concentration". (F0: no formaldehyde, E1: concentration <0.1 ppm, E2: 0.1 to 1.0 ppm, E3:> 1.0 ppm). In Germany, only chipboard classified as F0 or E1 is permitted for interior use and furniture. Wood products that are low in emissions - and low in formaldehyde as well - are marked with the “Blauer Engel” (RAL 38 environmental label). You can find out more about these emission classes here and here.

Due a the possible pollution by wood-based materials, the donor should provide detailed information on the age and labeling of the wooden product. In this way, the receiver can properly assess how to best and safely reuse the product.

Forests are an irreplaceable habitat for animals and plants, protect for soil and drinking water, store CO2 and are the basis of life for the local population. Sustainable and environmentally-friendly forest management can help ensure that these functions are maintained in the long term. When buying new wood or wooden products, you should therefore make sure that they come from sustainably managed forests. You can recognize wood products from certified forestries by these quality labels:

FSC seal of the Forest Stewardship Council
PEFC seal of the PEFC Council (Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes)

Greenpeace's Wood Guide provides an overview of the most common furniture, construction wood and firewood, and gives advice on the types of wood which can be used with a clear conscience.

When buying products made from wood-based materials such as plywood, chipboard or wood fiber boards, you should make sure that they contain little or no formaldehyde - especially if they are to be used indoors. Formaldehyde-free products are assigned to "emission class F0". Products made of wood, or wood-based materials that are low in emissions, low in formaldehyde and consist of more than 50% wood are marked with the “Blauer Engel” label (RAL 38 environmental label). For more information, click here and here.

Pollution can also result from the treatment of wood and wooden products. Particular care should be taken when sanding; a respiratory protection and an extraction device are indisendable, given that wood dust can be very irritating. Oak and beech dust even have a carcinogenic potential. To protect the environment and your health, we recommend using environmentally-friendly paints, waxes and oils for the treatment and care of your wood. These are products are (close to) free from ingredients such as solvents, formaldehyde and plasticizers. You can find a selection of more environmentally-friendly paints, glazes and varnishes, as well as advice on how to use them at "Clever akafen". Other quality labels which enable you to recognize more environmentally-friendly products are:

the natureplus eco-label
the Blauer Engel
the EU Ecolabel

Wood that has been treated with harmful substances can no longer be reused and must be disposed of properly. Under no circumstances should treated wood be burned! This creates toxic substances that can be extremely harmful. To dispose of wood, reach out to your local recycling centre or at the "SuperDreckskëscht" (recycling centre or mobile collection).

Various

During any demolition and renovation work, asbestos and other harmful substances could be released. You should therefore always seek professional advice before any maintenance, dismantling or renovation work!

Hammer, screwdriver, saw, drill ...

BENU REUSE won't pass on any rusty tools
BENU REUSE will only pass on electrical devices when a full product identification (manufacturer, product name) is available

Only functional devices should be passed on via BENU REUSE. Since these are second-hand goods, neither BENU REUSE, nor the donor can guarantee their safety, functionality or safety. In case of electrical devices, we recommend having them checked by a specialist before using them for the first time. Particularly older devices may contain harmful substances. Therefore, you should not take them apart or repair them yourself!

When tools or other iron objects rust, it is also called "corrosion". This is a chemical reaction between metal and oxygen in the presence of water or moisture. The material is literally being "eaten away". Depending on how badly a tool is affected, its accuracy of fit or even its stability can be reduced. As this means that the functionality is no longer guaranteed, rusted tools are excluded from being passed on via BENU REUSE.

When it comes to electrical garden tools in particular, the donor should provide a detailed product description so that the receiver can do some research out about the item in advance. The manufacturer, product name and year of production are relevant information, for example.

Older electrical appliances may contain toxic substances, such as heavy metals and flame retardants. In the past, harmful asbestos was also used in thermal devices. The marketing of asbestos-containing products was banned in Luxembourg since 2001. Since July 1, 2006, electrical and electronic equipment offered in the European Union must be free from certain heavy metals and flame retardants. The six prohibited dangerous substances are the heavy metals lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium as well as two groups of bromine-containing flame retardants (polybrominated byyphenyls or diphenyls). The EU directive restricting of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment can be found here.

In order to avoid the passing on of particularly polluted electrical devices, and a to ensure a minimum of energy efficiency, BENU REUSE won't pass on large household appliances produced before July 2006. However, we have decided to pass on small electrical appliances regardless of their age. Due to their size, they pollute presumably less. At the same time, resources required producing a new device are saved though the reuse-process. Additionally, small electrical devices are usually only in operation for a short time, so that the higher energy consumption of older devices compared to new, energy-efficient devices is less significant.

If your used tool cannot be passed on by BENU REUSE, or if you cannot find the tool you are looking for, then we suggest you have a look at REUSE Service. Here, you will discover contact details of organizations and companies that accept, give away or sell used tools for being reused. You can also have them repaired by various partners, or repair them yourself. If your used tool can no longer be used or repaired, please dispose of it at your local recycling centre.

Broom, brush, brush, bucket ladder…

If you do not find a receiver for your used tool through BENU REUSE, or if your desired item is not available, check the REUSE service. Here, you will find addresses of organisations and businesses that accept used items and repair, hand over or sell them to be reused.
If your used item cannot be reused - or repaired - you should dispose of it at your local recycling centre. Containers or tools (brushes, rollers, etc.) contaminated with paints, varnishes, etc. are accepted by the "SuperDreckskëscht" (recycling centre or mobile collection).

Paints, oils, varnishes, glazes ...

BENU REUSE won't pass on any dried paints, varnishes, etc.
BENU REUSE only passes on paint, varnishes, oils, etc. in its original package with its original product labeling

Paint, oils, glazes and varnishes can have a negative effect on your health and the environment! Before using them, inform yourself about the ingredients and intended use of your product, using the product labeling! Information about any dangerous substances can be found in the associated safety data sheet. You can usually find it on the Internet, using the product and manufacturer names. The GHS label (Globally Harmonized System) provides information on the danger of a product.

Paint, varnish and glaze consist of pigments (dyes), solvents, binders and other additives. Depending on the type and dose, these ingredients can have harmful effects on your health and the environment.

In order for the receiver to be able to get some information about the product, its ingredients and intended use, the donor should provide a detailed product description (e.g. product identification, label). If your colors are marked with a GHS label (Globally Harmonized System), please take a photo of it and add it to your description. In order to exclude health hazards due to an incorrect use of paints, varnishes, oils, etc., the products are only passed on when still in their original packaging.

To protect the environment and your health, we recommend using paints and varnishes that are as environmentally-friendly as possible, i.e products which contain (almost) no ingredients like solvents, formaldehyde and plasticizers. The respective products differ considerably in terms of their potential pollution. You can find a selection of more environmentally-friendly paints, glazes and varnishes, as well as advice on how to use them at “Clever akafen”.

Further quality labels which mark environmentally friendly products, are:

natureplus eco-label (wall paints)
Blauer Engel (wall paints, varnishes, glazes, wallpapers)
EU Ecolabel (interior and exterior paints and varnishes)

Avoid paint in spray cans, as these pollute the environment unnecessarily. Please dispose of dried up paint residues, soiled containers and paint-soiled waste (brushes, rollers ...) via the “SuperDreckskëscht” (recycling centre or mobile collection).

Fence, planters, grill ...

BENU REUSE will only pass on flower pots which are asbestos-free (terracotta, plastic, ceramic, wood, metal)
Flower pots made of other materials only be passed on when a full product identification, as well as the date of production or sale (as of 1.1 .2005 on, verifiably asbestos-free) can be provided

Only functional items are to be passed on via BENU REUSE. As these are second-hand goods, neither BENU REUSE, nor the donor can guarantee that they are free of defects, functional and safe.

We recommend that you have electrical appliances checked by qualified personnel before using them for the first time. Older appliances in particular may contain harmful substances. Therefore, do not disassemble them and do not repair them yourself!

In the past, material containing asbestos was sometimes used for the production of flower pots and boxes. If asbestos fibres are released, they can be inhaled and cause serious damage to health. Flower boxes containing asbestos are usually made of fibre cement, in which the fibres are strongly bound. Nevertheless, it cannot be ruled out that in the event of damage to or work on the planter - if, for example, holes are drilled to allow excess water to drain away - harmful asbestos fibres will be released.

BENU REUSE therefore only passes on used flower pots that are clearly asbestos-free, such as pots made of terracotta, plastic, ceramic, wood and metal. In the case of materials that cannot be clearly identified, product labelling with the date of production and distribution (as of 1.1.2005) is considered a prerequisite.

If your used item cannot be passed on via BENU REUSE, or if you cannot find the item you are looking for, you should check the REUSE service. Here, you will find addresses of organisations and businesses that accept used items and repair, hand over or sell them for reuse. If your used item cannot be reused or repaired, you should dispose of it at your local recycling centre.

Fence, planters, grill ...

BENU REUSE does not pass on any rusted tools
Electrical equipment will only be passed on via BENU REUSE with a full product identification (manufacturer, product name).

When tools or other objects made of iron rust, we also speak of "corrosion". This is a chemical reaction of the metal with oxygen in the presence of water or moisture. The material is literally being "eaten away". Depending on how severely a tool is affected, the accuracy of fit and even the stability can be reduced. Since this means that functionality is no longer guaranteed, rusted tools are excluded from being passed on via BENU REUSE.  

Especially in the case of electrical gardening tools, the donor should provide a detailed product description, so that the receiver can inform him- or herself in advance about the article in question. Important information includes the manufacturer, product name and year of production.  Older electrical appliances may contain toxic substances such as heavy metals or flame retardants. Thermal appliances used to contain asbestos, which is harmful to health. The marketing of products containing asbestos was banned in Luxembourg in 2001. Since 1 July 2006, electrical and electronic equipment offered for sale in the European Union must also be free of certain heavy metals and flame retardants. Among the six banned hazardous substances are the heavy metals lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium and two groups of brominated flame retardants (polybrominated byphenyls and diphenyls). The EU Directive on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment can be found here.

To avoid passing on particularly polluted electrical appliances and to ensure a minimum of energy efficiency, BENU REUSE does not pass on large household appliances produced before July 2006. In the case of smaller electrical appliances, however, we have decided to pass them on regardless of their age, as their size suggests that they are likely to be less polluting. At the same time, reuse saves resources that would be needed for the production of a new appliance. Moreover, small electrical appliances are usually only in use for a short time, so that the higher energy consumption of older appliances compared to new, energy-efficient appliances is less significant.

If your used item cannot be passed on via BENU REUSE, or if you cannot find the item you are looking for, you should check the REUSE service. Here, you will find addresses of organisations and businesses that accept used items and repair, hand over or sell them for reuse.
If your used item cannot be reused or repaired, you should dispose of it at your local recycling centre.

Various

If your used item cannot be reused or repaired, you should dispose of it at your local recycling centre.

Plates, cups, cutlery…

If your tableware cannot be passed on via BENU REUSE, or if you cannot find the item you are looking for, you should check the REUSE service. Here, you will find addresses of organisations and businesses that accept used items and repair, hand over or sell them for reuse.

If your used item cannot be reused or repaired, you should dispose of it at your local recycling centre.

Drinking glasses, wine glasses ...

If your used object cannot be passed on through BENU REUSE, or if you cannot find the item you are looking for, you should check the REUSE service. Here you will find addresses of organisations and businesses that accept used items and repair, hand over or sell them for reuse.

If your used item cannot be reused or repaired, you should dispose of it at your local recycling centre.

Pots, pans, mason jars, wooden spoons ...

BENU REUSE won't pass on any rusted cookware

When tools or other iron objects rust, we also speak of "corrosion". This is a chemical reaction of the metal with oxygen in the presence of water or moisture. The material is literally being "eaten away". Depending on how badly a tool is affected, the accuracy of fit and even its stability can be reduced. As this means that the functionality is no longer guaranteed, rusted items are excluded from being passed on via BENU REUSE.

If your cookware cannot be passed on through BENU REUSE, or if you cannot find the item you are looking for, you should check the REUSE service. Here you will find addresses of organisations and businesses that accept used items and repair, hand over or sell them for reuse.

If your used item cannot be reused or repaired, you should dispose of it at your local recycling centre.

Bread basket, bin, cutlery…

If your used items cannot be passed on via BENU REUSE, or if you cannot find the item you are looking for, you should check the REUSE service. Here you will find addresses of organisations and businesses that accept used items and repair, hand over or sell them for reuse.

If your used item cannot be reused or repaired, you should dispose of it at your local recycling centre.

Various

If your used items cannot be passed on through BENU REUSE, or if you cannot find the item you are looking for, you should check the REUSE service. Here you will find addresses of organisations and businesses that accept used items and repair, hand over or sell them for reuse.

If your used item cannot be reused or repaired, you should dispose of it at your local recycling centre.

Bed, chest of drawers, bedside table…

BENU REUSE will only pass on wooden furniture without insect infestation

Wooden furniture can be infested with woodworms. These are the larvae of the so-called "common rodent beetle" (Anobium punctatum), which eat their way through the wood. What remains are two to three millimetre large holes and small piles of wood flour. Furniture that is placed in heated flats is relatively rarely affected by the nail beetles. Woodworms are more likely to be found in wooden furniture and utensils stored in places with high humidity and moderate temperatures, such as old sheds or cellars. Before you offer an old piece of furniture, you should check it for woodworm infestation.

In order for the receiver to be able to assess whether the piece of furniture could be contaminated with undesirable substances, the donor should also provide as much information as possible about the age, the product label and the previous treatment. Undesirable pollutants can be caused primarily by the treatment with chemical insect repellent or by the material of the piece of furniture. In the past, wooden furniture was often treated with wood preservatives to protect it from woodworms. Even today, chemical insect repellents are still in use. For example, chemical moth repellents are sometimes used in cupboards or chests of drawers. These are often synthetic insecticides from the pyrethroid group (such as empenthrin, cypermethrin or prallethrin), which are toxic to the nervous system.

Furniture made of plywood, chipboard and fibreboard is often used as an inexpensive substitute for solid wood furniture. In order to turn the loose chips into a solid board, chipboard contains adhesives. Formaldehyde resins are usually used as binders for chipboard. The formaldehyde contained in the glue permanently escapes as a gas from the building material and pollutes the indoor air. The substance is considered carcinogenic and can cause allergies, skin, respiratory or eye irritations. In the past, chipboard contained such high concentrations of formaldehyde that it was proven to pose a health risk to humans. Today, wood-based materials are assigned to one of three emission classes according to their so-called "formaldehyde compensation concentration". (F0: no formaldehyde, E1: concentration < 0.1 ppm, E2: 0.1 to 1.0 ppm, E3: > 1.0ppm). In Germany, for example, only chipboard of classes F0 and E1 is permitted for interior fittings and furniture. Low-emission and thus also low-formaldehyde wood products are labelled with the "Blauer Engel" (RAL eco-label 38). Further information on the emission classes can be found here and here.

A large part of our furniture is made of wood or wood-based materials (veneer wood, chipboard and fibreboard) from forests or plantations. Yet forests are an irreplaceable habitat for animals and plants, protection for soil and drinking water, storage for CO2 and livelihoods for the local population. Sustainable and environmentally sound forest management can help to ensure that these functions are preserved in the long term. When buying new wooden furniture, you should therefore make sure that the wood comes from sustainably managed forests.

You can recognise wooden furniture from certified forestry by these quality marks:

FSC label of the Forest Stewardship Council
PEFC label of the PEFC Council (Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes)

Greenpeace's Wood Guide also provides an overview of the most common types of furniture, construction and firewood and gives recommendations on which types of wood can be used with a clear conscience. When buying furniture made of wood materials such as plywood, chipboard and fibreboard, you should make sure that they contain no or only a small amount of harmful formaldehyde to protect your health, especially if they are to be used indoors. Formaldehyde-free products are classified as "emission class F0". The "Blauer Engel" (RAL eco-label 38) certifies low-emission furniture and slatted frames that are used indoors and consist of more than 50% wood or wood-based materials by volume.
You can find more information on low-emission wooden furniture here and here. Quality marks by which you can recognise environmentally friendly furniture are:

If you can't find a receiver for your used furniture through BENU REUSE or if your desired piece of furniture is not offered, you should check the REUSE Service. Here you will find addresses of organisations and businesses that accept used furniture and sell or give it away for reuse. Some partners offer repair or the upCycling of furniture.

Tables, chairs ...

BENU REUSE will only pass on wooden furniture without insect infestation

You can recognise wooden furniture from certified forestry by these quality marks:

FSC label of the Forest Stewardship Council
PEFC label of the PEFC Council (Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes)

Desk, office chair, shelves ...

BENU REUSE will only pass on wooden furniture without insect infestation

You can recognise wooden furniture from certified forestry by these quality marks:

FSC label of the Forest Stewardship Council
PEFC label of the PEFC Council (Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes)

Sofa, armchair, coffee table ...

BENU REUSE will only pass on wooden furniture without insect infestation

You can recognise wooden furniture from certified forestry by these quality marks:

FSC label of the Forest Stewardship Council
PEFC label of the PEFC Council (Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes)

Laundry room, pharmacy, towel radiateur

BENU REUSE will only pass on wooden furniture without insect infestation

You can recognise wooden furniture from certified forestry by these quality marks:

FSC label of the Forest Stewardship Council
PEFC label of the PEFC Council (Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes)

Cupboard, shelf ...

BENU REUSE will only pass on wooden furniture without insect infestation

You can recognise wooden furniture from certified forestry by these quality marks:

FSC label of the Forest Stewardship Council
PEFC label of the PEFC Council (Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes)

Garden chair, deckchair, bench, parasol ...

BENU REUSE will only pass on wooden furniture without insect infestation

You can recognise wooden furniture from certified forestry by these quality marks:

FSC label of the Forest Stewardship Council
PEFC label of the PEFC Council (Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes)

Greenpeace's Wood Guide also provides an overview of the most common types of furniture, construction and firewood and gives recommendations on which types of wood can be used with a clear conscience. When buying furniture made of wood materials such as plywood, chipboard and fibreboard, you should make sure that they contain no or only a small amount of harmful formaldehyde to protect your health, especially if they are to be used indoors. Formaldehyde-free products are classified as "emission class F0". The "Blue Angel" (RAL eco-label 38) certifies low-emission furniture and slatted frames that are used indoors and consist of more than 50% wood or wood-based materials by volume.
You can find more information on low-emission wooden furniture here and here. Quality marks by which you can recognise environmentally friendly furniture are:

Various

BENU REUSE will only pass on wooden furniture without insect infestation

You can recognise wooden furniture from certified forestry by these quality marks:

FSC label of the Forest Stewardship Council
PEFC label of the PEFC Council (Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes)

Washing machine, refrigerator, stove, vacuum cleaner ...

BENU REUSE does not pass on any rusted appliances
Large household appliances correspond to an external dimension of more than 50 cm
BENU REUSE only passes on items with full product identification (manufacturer, product name).
BENU REUSE only passes on refrigerators (fridges, freezers, wine cabinets) produced as of 2012
BENU REUSE only passes on other large household appliances from production year 2006 (July) onwards

Only functional devices are to be passed on via BENU REUSE. Since these are second-hand goods, neither BENU REUSE, nor the donor can guarantee that they are free of defects, functional and safe. We recommend that you have your equipment checked by a specialist before using it for the first time.

Older electronic devices in particular may contain substances that are harmful to health and the environment. Therefore, do not disassemble or repair them yourself!

In order for the receiver to be able to inform himself/herself in advance about the passed on device, the donor should provide as detailed a product description as possible. Important information here includes the manufacturer, product name and year of production.

In recent years, electrical appliances have been significantly improved in terms of their energy efficiency due to European regulations. For example, since 2012 refrigerators, freezers and wine cabinets must at least meet the requirements of the former energy efficiency class "A+". In most households, refrigerators and freezers are in continuous operation, i.e. 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Inefficient appliances can therefore lead to very high electricity consumption. With more economical appliances, on the other hand, power consumption can be significantly reduced. According to EcoTopTen, from an environmental point of view, replacing a refrigerator with an efficient appliance is usually worthwhile even if the existing appliance is more than five to ten years old. In this case, the energy consumption required to manufacture the new appliance pays for itself within 0.7 to 2.5 years through the savings in electricity consumption during use.

In order to rule out the possibility that particularly inefficient appliances will continue to be used, BENU REUSE only passes on those refrigeration appliances that were produced from July 2012 onwards and at least correspond to the former energy efficiency class "A+". This minimum age for refrigerators also makes sense in terms of hygiene and the age of the seal. For the other large electrical appliances such as ovens, washing machines and dishwashers, which are only in use for a short time, the energy consumption is less significant. Here, longer use can contribute to resource conservation.

Older electrical appliances may contain toxic substances such as heavy metals and flame retardants. Thermal appliances (such as ovens) used to contain asbestos, which is harmful to health. The marketing of products containing asbestos was banned in Luxembourg in 2001. Since 1 July 2006, electrical and electronic equipment offered for sale in the European Union must be free of certain heavy metals and flame retardants. The six banned hazardous substances are the heavy metals lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium and two groups of brominated flame retardants (polybrominated byphenyls and diphenyls). The EU Directive on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment can be found here.

In order to avoid passing on large appliances that are particularly contaminated with hazardous substances and to ensure a minimum of energy efficiency, no large household appliances produced before July 2006 will be brokered via BENU REUSE.

Household appliances account for a considerable share of energy consumption in households. However, due to legal requirements and technical innovations, significantly more economical appliances have come onto the market in recent years. You can recognise the energy efficiency of an appliance by its energy efficiency label. When buying new household appliances, you should make sure that you choose the most energy-efficient appliance possible. The higher purchase price is often compensated for by lower energy consumption after a while. In addition to the selection of the appliance, the correct use of the appliance also influences the subsequent energy consumption.

A selection of energy-efficient and comparatively environmentally friendly household appliances, as well as tips on purchasing and environmentally friendly use, can be found here:

If your used household appliance cannot be passed on through BENU REUSE, or your desired appliance is not offered, then you should check the REUSE service. Here you can find out where used electrical appliances are accepted, repaired if necessary and then passed on or sold for reuse. Old household appliances that can no longer be used or repaired should be disposed of properly. This is especially important for old refrigerators, which still contain climate-damaging and in some cases ozone-depleting CFCs or HFCs, in order to prevent these substances from being released into the atmosphere. To ensure that your household appliance can be disposed of properly, you should take it to your local recycling centre. When buying a new household appliance, you can also ask the supplier to take the old appliance away from you when the new one is delivered.

Toaster, blender, sewing machine, iron…

BENU REUSE won't pass on any rusty appliances
Small household appliances correspond to an external dimension of less than 50 cm
BENU REUSE only passes on items with full product identification (manufacturer, product name).

Only functional appliances are to be passed on via BENU REUSE. However, as these are second-hand goods, neither BENU REUSE, nor the donor can guarantee that they are free of defects, functional and safe. We recommend that you have your equipment checked by a specialist before using it for the first time.

Older electronic devices in particular may contain substances that are harmful to health and the environment. Therefore, do not disassemble or repair them yourself!

himself/herself in advance about the device, the donor should provide a product description that is as detailed as possible. Important information includes the manufacturer, product name and year of production.

Older electrical appliances may contain toxic substances such as heavy metals and flame retardants. Thermal appliances (e.g. ovens) used to contain asbestos, which is harmful to health. The marketing of products containing asbestos was banned in Luxembourg in 2001. Since 1 July 2006, electrical and electronic equipment offered for sale in the European Union must be free of certain heavy metals and flame retardants. The six banned hazardous substances are the heavy metals lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium and two groups of brominated flame retardants (polybrominated byphenyls and diphenyls). The EU Directive on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment can be found here.

In order to avoid passing on particularly polluted electrical appliances and to ensure a minimum of energy efficiency, BENU REUSE does not pass on large household appliances produced before July 2006. In the case of small household appliances, we have decided to broker them regardless of their age. Due to their size, it can be assumed that they are less polluting, so that the conservation of resources through further use outweighs the purchase of new appliances. Moreover, small electrical appliances are usually only in use for a short time, so that the higher energy consumption of older appliances compared to new, more energy-efficient appliances is less significant.

Household appliances account for a considerable share of energy consumption in households. However, due to legal requirements and technical innovations, much more economical appliances have come onto the market in recent years. You can recognise the energy efficiency of an appliance by its energy efficiency label. When buying new household appliances, you should make sure that you choose the most energy-efficient appliance possible. The higher purchase price is often compensated for by lower energy consumption after some time. In addition to the choice of appliance, the correct use also influences the subsequent energy consumption.

A selection of energy-efficient and comparatively environmentally friendly household appliances, as well as tips on purchasing and environmentally friendly use, can be found at:

If your used object cannot be passed on via BENU REUSE, or if you cannot find the item you are looking for, you can have a look at the REUSE service. Here, you will discover the addresses of organizations and companies that accept, pass on or sell used items. You can also have them repaired by various partners or repair them yourself.

If your used item can no longer be used or repaired, please dispose of it at your local recycling centre or at the “SuperDreckskëscht”.

Suspensions, spotlights, floor lamps, wall lights, outdoor lamps ...

BENU REUSE only passes on suitable LED lamps
BENU REUSE only passes on lamps with complete product identification (manufacturer, product name)

Only functional lamps are to be passed on via BENU REUSE. As these are second-hand goods, neither BENU REUSE, nor the donor can guarantee that they are free of defects, functional and safe. We recommend that you have your equipment checked by a specialist before using it for the first time.

Older electronic devices in particular may contain substances that are harmful to health and the environment. Therefore, do not disassemble or repair them yourself!

So that the receiver can inform himself/herself in advance about the object, the donor should provide as detailed a product description as possible. Important information includes the manufacturer, product name and year of production.

Since 2009, the EU has implemented regulations for energy-efficient lighting. With the abolition of the conventional light bulb and partly also of halogen lamps for 22V, only their remaining stocks may be sold. By switching to LEDs (light-emitting diodes), electricity consumption for lighting can be reduced to about one fifth. You can find out more about saving energy with LEDs here and here.

In the meantime, the range of LEDs has been greatly expanded and they are available for all applications. Even most older lamps can now be fitted with LEDs. LEDs have numerous advantages over other light sources. They are longer-lasting, more energy-efficient and mercury-free - unlike the earlier energy-saving lamps (also called compact fluorescent lamps). Compared to energy-saving lamps, LEDs also have the advantage that they are bright immediately after being switched on, comparatively more switchable and (usually) more efficient. Despite the higher purchase price, their overall costs are also significantly lower than halogen lamps thanks to lower electricity costs and longer life.

Therefore, BENU REUSE only passes on lamps that can be equipped with LEDs.

Today, a wide range of LED luminaires is offered on the market. The share of luminaires with non-replaceable LEDs has been increasing more and more in recent years. As early as October 2016, the ZDF consumer magazine "WISO" found out in a random sample that in some large furniture stores, the LED lamps are now permanently installed in the base of around 70 percent of the ceiling lights. This development should be viewed extremely critically, because even if a long service life is promised, the LEDs can no longer be replaced. As a result, the entire luminaire has to be disposed of as electronic waste as soon as the LED fails. Therefore, only buy luminaires with replaceable light sources! A list of LED luminaires with replaceable LEDs is provided by the "SuperDrecksKëscht".

Further tips and a selection of particularly energy-efficient and long-lasting LEDs can be found here:

If your used item can no longer be used or repaired, please dispose of it at your local recycling centre or at the "SuperDreckskëscht" (recycling center or mobile collection).

Various

BENU REUSE won't pass on any rusty devices
BENU REUSE will only pass on items with full product identification (manufacturer, product name)

Only functional devices are to be passed on via BENU REUSE. Since these are second-hand goods, neither BENU REUSE, nor donor can guarantee that they are free of defects, functional and safe. We recommend that you have your equipment checked by a specialist before using it for the first time.

Older electronic devices in particular may contain substances that are harmful to health and the environment. Therefore, do not disassemble them and do not repair them yourself!

Older electrical appliances may contain toxic substances such as heavy metals and flame retardants. Thermal appliances (e.g. ovens) used to contain asbestos, which is harmful to health. The marketing of products containing asbestos was banned in Luxembourg in 2001. Since 1 July 2006, electrical and electronic equipment offered for sale in the European Union must be free of certain heavy metals and flame retardants. The six banned hazardous substances are the heavy metals lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium and two groups of brominated flame retardants (polybrominated byphenyls and diphenyls). The EU Directive on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment can be found here.

In order to avoid passing on particularly polluted electrical appliances and to ensure a minimum of energy efficiency, BENU REUSE does not pass on large household appliances produced before July 2006. In the case of small household appliances, we have decided to broker them regardless of their age. Due to their size, it can be assumed that they are less polluting, so that the conservation of resources through further use outweighs the purchase of new appliances. Moreover, small electrical appliances are usually only in use for a short time, so that the higher energy consumption of older appliances compared to new, more energy-efficient appliances is less significant.

If your used item can no longer be used or repaired, please dispose of it at your local recycling centre or at the “SuperDreckskëscht” (recycling center or mobile collection).

Computer, monitors, printer, laptop, tablet ...

BENU REUSE only èasses on items with complete product identification (manufacturer, product name).

Only functional devices are to be passed on via BENU REUSE. As these are second-hand goods, neither BENU REUSE nor the donor can guarantee that they are free of defects, functional and safe. We recommend that you have it checked by experts before using it for the first time.

If you want to pass on an entire computer with hard disk or the hard disk separately, make sure that no personal data is stored on it!

In order for the receiver to be able to inform himself/herself in advance about the device, the donor should provide as detailed a product description as possible. Important information here includes the manufacturer, product name and year of production.

The equipment with information and communication devices is constantly increasing. In 2000, for example, just under half of all households in Germany had a computer; today the share is already over 80 percent. Computers are manufactured with great energy and material expenditure. In average use, more than half of the environmental impact of a computer is caused by its manufacture, the rest mainly by its use. One way to reduce your environmental impact is to use your computer for as long as possible and not replace it so often with a new device. When buying a computer or laptop, you should also make sure that its equipment is tailored to your personal usage requirements and is not oversized. The same goes for computer monitors, printers and other devices. Also, make sure to buy an efficient device and use it in an energy-saving way. Information and tips on the selection and sustainable use of computers, beamers and printers can be found here.

The TCO label certifies notebooks, monitors, computers and beamers that have been produced in a particularly socially responsible manner. Other important criteria of the label are low environmental impact, responsible mineral extraction, energy efficiency and repairability. You can find a selection of notebooks, tablets and computer monitors that meet the TCO criteria at TopTen. Particularly energy-efficient printers are also listed here. You can also find particularly economical and low-emission computer monitors at EcoTopTen.

Smartphone, landline ...

BENU REUSE only passes on items with complete product identification (manufacturer, product name).

If you want to pass on a smartphone, you should make sure that it no longer contains any personal data!

So that the receiver can inform himself/herself in advance about the device, the donor should provide as detailed a product description as possible. Important information includes the manufacturer, product name and year of production.

Smartphones have a rather low power consumption even when used intensively. Production and data transmission via mobile phones, on the other hand, require quite a lot of energy. Since the production of a smartphone requires a lot of raw materials and precious metals, the production has far-reaching negative effects on the environment - especially the mining of the mainly rare raw materials is associated with environmental pollution in the countries of origin. In addition, due to the short lifespan of the devices, the demand for raw materials continues to increase; because even if the smartphone is recycled in an exemplary manner, not all metals can be recovered.

For this reason, it is important to use your smartphone for as long as possible. When buying a new smartphone, make sure that you can replace the battery yourself and without special tools. Since batteries are often among the first components to fail, you can extend the life of your smartphone in this way. Your battery will also last longer if it is handled properly. You can find tips on how to treat your phone gently and use it more energy-efficiently here and here.

You can donate old cell phones that you no longer need to the Caritas project "ereuse" and Digital inclusion. Used, but functional smartphones will be refurbished for reuse and distributed by charitable partner organizations. Cell phones that are no longer functional will be recycled. You can hand in your old smartphone in a mobile bag at one of the numerous collection points. Please do not dispose of unusable batteries with household waste, but via the "SuperDreckskëscht" (recycling centre or mobile collection).

MP3 player, radio, CD player, record player, amplifier, speaker ...

BENU REUSE only passes on items with full product identification (manufacturer, product name)

Only functional devices are to be passed on via BENU REUSE. As these are second-hand goods, neither BENU REUSE nor the donor can guarantee that they are free of defects, functional and safe. We recommend that you have your equipment checked by a specialist before using it for the first time.

Older electronic devices in particular may contain substances that are harmful to health and the environment. Therefore, do not disassemble or repair them yourself!

In order for the receiver to be able to inform himself/herself in advance about the brokered device, the donor should provide as detailed a product description as possible. Important information here includes the manufacturer, product name and year of production.  Older electrical appliances may contain toxic substances such as heavy metals and flame retardants. Thermal appliances (e.g. ovens) used to contain asbestos, which is harmful to health. The marketing of products containing asbestos was banned in Luxembourg in 2001. Since 1 July 2006, electrical and electronic equipment offered for sale in the European Union must be free of certain heavy metals and flame retardants. The six banned hazardous substances are the heavy metals lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium and two groups of brominated flame retardants (polybrominated byphenyls and diphenyls). The EU Directive on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment can be found here.

In order to avoid passing on particularly polluted electrical appliances and to ensure a minimum of energy efficiency, BENU REUSE does not pass on large household appliances produced before July 2006. Small household appliances, however, will be passed on regardless of their age. Due to their size, it can be assumed that they are less polluting, so that the conservation of resources through further use outweighs the purchase of new appliances. Moreover, small electrical appliances are usually only in use for a short time, so that the higher energy consumption of older appliances compared to new, more energy-efficient appliances is less significant.

Audio devices (MP3 players, smartphones) are part of everyday life for most people today. Even children and adolescents listen to music and audio books via headphones or play games. With increasing age, listening consumption continues to increase. However, if the ears are exposed to music that is too loud over a long period of time, there is a risk of damage to health. A European Union standard sets an upper limit of 100 decibels(A) for portable audio devices. This volume corresponds to that of chain saws or loud motorbikes.

For workplaces, hearing protection is recommended as from 85 decibels(A). According to a study commissioned by the European Commission, people risk incurable hearing damage after about five years if they listen to loud music (above 89 decibels) through headphones for more than one hour a day every week.  When buying new audio equipment, make sure it has a volume control and a decibel limit - especially if it will be used by children. Hints and tips for healthy listening can be found here and here.

If your used item can no longer be used or repaired, please dispose of it at your local recycling centre.

TV, video camera, DVD, slide projector…

BENU REUSE only passes on items with full product identification (manufacturer, product name).

Only functional devices are to be passed on via BENU REUSE. As these are second-hand goods, neither BENU REUSE, nor the donor can guarantee that they are free of defects, functional and safe. We recommend that you have your equipment checked by a specialist before using it for the first time.

Older electronic devices in particular may contain harmful substances. Therefore, do not disassemble or repair them yourself!

In order for the receiver to be able to inform himself/herself in advance about the device, the donor should provide as detailed a product description as possible. Important information includes the manufacturer, product name and year of production.

In order to avoid passing on particularly polluted electrical appliances and to ensure a minimum of energy efficiency, BENU REUSE does not pass on large household appliances produced before July 2006. Small household appliances will, however, be passed on regardless of their age. Due to their size, it can be assumed that they are less polluting, so that the conservation of resources through further use outweighs the purchase of new appliances. Moreover, small electrical appliances are usually only in use for a short time, so that the higher energy consumption of older appliances compared to new, more energy-efficient appliances is less significant.

The energy required to manufacture, transport and dispose of a television set is - regardless of the technology used - at least two to three times more than the energy consumed by the set during its entire lifetime. From an energy perspective, it therefore makes sense to continue using an old television set that is still in working order.

In Germany, a 2-person household owns an average of 1.8 televisions. More and more televisions are being sold, and at the same time the sets sold are getting bigger and bigger. A few years ago, a screen diagonal of 30 inches was common, while most sets today are 40 inches or even larger. As a rule, this also increases the price, power consumption and electricity costs. When buying a new set, you should therefore consider whether such a large set is really necessary. In addition, it is worth choosing a device that is as energy-efficient as possible, as televisions are real power guzzlers and can cause electricity costs of several hundred euros over their lifetime.

Very large televisions, for example, consume up to 400 kilowatt hours of electricity per year (with an average daily use of 4 hours). By comparison, a particularly efficient television set in a very good energy efficiency class consumes only ten percent of that. Over a period of ten years, this can save more than 1,000 euros in electricity costs. Electricity can also be saved by switching off the set, because many appliance functions consume electricity in stand-by mode. If, on the other hand, you switch off your television with the mains switch or a switchable power strip, you can save up to twelve percent electricity. You can find more tips on how to use television sets more economically here.

A selection of particularly energy-efficient televisions is compiled here:

If your used item can no longer be used or repaired, please dispose of it at your local recycling centre.

Camera, tripod, binoculars…

BENU REUSE will only pass on objects with a full product identification (manufacturer, product name)

If your used item can no longer be used or repaired, please dispose of it at your local recycling centre.

Various

BENU REUSE will only pass on objects with a complete product identification (manufacturer, product name)

BENU REUSE will only pass on functional devices and articles; but since these are second-hand goods, neither BENU REUSE, nor the donor can guarantee their safety, functionality or freedom from defects. As for electrical devices, we recommend having them checked by specialists before using them for the first time in case of doubt.

Older devices in particular may contain harmful substances. Therefore, you should not take them apart or repair them yourself!

In order for the receiver to be able to find out about the device in advance, the donor should provide a product description that is as detailed as possible. Among the important information is mainly the manufacturer, product name and year of production. Older electrical appliances may contain toxic substances, such as heavy metals or flame retardants.

In the past, asbestos often used in the production of thermal devices (such as ovens). The marketing of asbestos-containing products was banned in Luxembourg in 2001. As of July 1, 2006, electrical and electronic equipment offered in the European Union must also be free of certain heavy metals and flame retardants. Among the six prohibited dangerous substances are the heavy metals lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium as well as two groups of bromine-containing flame retardants (polybrominated by-phenyls and diphenyls). You can find the EU directive on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances contained in electrical and electronic equipment here.

In order to avoid passing on any polluted appliances and to ensure a minimum of energy efficiency, BENU REUSE does not pass on any large household appliances produced before July 2006. Amall household appliances, however, will be passed on regardless of their age. Due to their size, it can be assumed that they are less polluting, so that the conservation of resources through further use outweighs the purchase of a new appliance. Moreover, small electrical appliances are usually only in use for a short time, so that the higher energy consumption of older appliances compared to new, more energy-efficient appliances is less significant.

If your used item can no longer be used or repaired, please dispose of it at your local recycling centre.

Photos, frames

If your used item can no longer be used or repaired, please dispose of it at your local recycling centre.

Carpets, rugs, bed covers…

BENU REUSE will only pass on objects when a full identification of the product (label) and information regarding its previous treatment are available
BENU REUSE will only pass on unglued carpets
BENU REUSE will only pass on carpets that are not insect-infested
BENU REUSE won't pass on any eulanised carpets (recognisable by the symbol "EULAN" on the label)

Depending on the material and treatment, carpets and rugs can represent a potential source of indoor pollutants. Therefore, the donor should provide a detailed description (e.g. product identification, label) and indicate the previous treatment. When gluing carpets, emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) are to be expected due to the adhesives used. Due to the possible pollution caused by adhesives, used floor coverings will only be passed on via BENU REUSE if they are free of any adhesive residues.

Virgin wool carpets are very susceptible to moth infestations during storage and transport, and are therefore often treated with moth repellents at a very early stage of production. These are pesticidal agents that are firmly bonded to the fibre, but are mobilised by the abrasion of the carpet and can enter the respiratory air and mucous membranes via the dust.

Until 1988, the so-called "Eulan" was produced and used as an insecticidal agent against moth damage in woollen carpets and natural fibre floor coverings. Treatment with Eulan can be recognised by the following symbols on the label. Even today, the insecticidal active substances (PCSD and PCAD) contained in eulan can be found in high concentrations in house dust samples. The data available on these environmental chemicals is relatively limited, but the toxic potential is estimated to be comparatively high in a study by ARGUK. Due to possible health risks, carpets treated with Eulan are not conveyed via BENU REUSE.

Due to their large surface area, carpets and textile floor coverings have a high potential to pollute indoor air. The possible pollutant load depends on the respective materials and their treatment. Synthetic fibre carpets or needle-felt carpets made of polyamide, polyacrylic, polyester or polypropylene are often offered with a variety of chemical treatments that reduce static chargeability, have a dirt-repellent effect or improve lightfastness.

Natural fibre carpets are characterised by indoor climate-improving properties, but they can also contain pollutants. For example, floor coverings made of plant materials - such as sisal, jute or coconut fibres - often contain residues of pesticides that were applied to the fibres during or after the cultivation of the plants. Carpets made of sheep's wool are usually treated with moth repellents. Nowadays, the moth repellent permethrin is usually used, a synthetic pyrethroid that can cause symptoms such as mucous membrane irritation and headaches, as well as nerve damage, when exposed to high levels of dust. Further information and tips on the selection of textile floor coverings can be found here and here.

You can recognise carpets that are healthier, for example, by the quality mark Blauer Engel.

When gluing carpets, harmful emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) are to be expected due to the adhesives used. We therefore recommend that you avoid gluing large areas and fix your carpet with edge fixings or adhesive tapes. If adhesives are necessary, you should use environmentally-friendly products to protect the environment and your health. Seals of quality by which you can recognise comparatively compatible adhesives are:

If your used item can no longer be used or repaired, please dispose of it at your local recycling centre.

Vases, sculptures, collections ...

If your used item can no longer be used or repaired, please dispose of it at your local recycling centre.

Wall mirrors, mirrors with frames, mirrored glasses…

If your used item can no longer be used or repaired, please dispose of it at your local recycling centre.

Various

If your used item can no longer be used or repaired, please dispose of it at your local recycling centre.

Balls, rackets, fitness equipment,...

BENU REUSE will only pass on sports equipment when a full product identification (manufacturer, product name, year of production) can be provided
BENU REUSE won't pass on any sportswear

BENU REUSE will only pass on functional articles. Since these are second-hand goods, neither BENU REUSE, nor the donor can guarantee their safety, freedom from defects or functionality. When in doubt, we recommend having them checked by a specialist before using them for the first time.

In order for the receiver to be able to learn something about the item in advance, the donor should provide a detailed product description. Important information are, for instance, the manufacturer, product name and year of production. BENU REUSE does not pass on any sportswear, because garments and textiles in general are exluded from being passed on by BENU REUSE - here, we explain why. Sports accessories, however - such as ice skates, ski boots, boxing gloves or the like - will be passed on.

If your used item can no longer be used or repaired, please dispose of it at your local recycling centre.

Puzzles, board games, model cars, construction toys ...

BENU REUSE will only pass on washable soft toys
BENU REUSE will only pass on complete board games with instruction

Only functional toys are to be passed on via BENU REUSE. However, as these are second-hand goods, neither BENU REUSE, nor the donor can guarantee that the items are free of defects, functional and safe. In case of doubt, we recommend that you have them checked by experts.

If your used item can no longer be used or repaired, please dispose of it at your local recycling centre.

Bike, scooter, skateboard, inline skating ...

BENU REUSE will only pass on bicycles with a full product identification (manufacturer, product name, year of production)

Only functional bicycles are to be passed on via BENU REUSE. As these are second-hand goods, neither BENU REUSE nor the donor can guarantee that they are free of defects, functional and safe. In case of doubt, we recommend you have your bicycle checked by qualified personnel before using it for the first time.

In order for the receiver to be able to inform himself/herself in advance about the sports equipment, the donor should provide as detailed a product description as possible. Important information includes the manufacturer, product name, year of production and size.

If your used item can no longer be used or repaired, please dispose of it at your local recycling centre.

Musical instruments, records, CDs…

BENU REUSE will only pass on CDs, DVDs or records that are unscratched and in their original sleeve / box

In the sub-category "Music", only functioning musical instruments and sound carriers are sold. If you want to pass on used CDs, DVDs or records, please make sure that they are completely packed and unscratched so that the receiver can continue to use them. If you are looking for or offering records or CDs for another purpose - e.g. for handicrafts or the like - they may be of poorer quality. In this case, please place your search ad in the sub-category "Various".

If your used object cannot be passed on via BENU REUSE or if you cannot find the item you are looking for, you can have a look at the REUSE service. Here, you will discover the addresses of organizations and companies that accept, pass on or sell used items. You can also have them repaired by various partners or repair them yourself.

If your used item can no longer be used or repaired, please dispose of it at your local recycling centre.

Books, e-book readers, comics, magazines.

BENU REUSE will only pass on e-book readers when a full product identification (manufacturer, product name) can be provided

In order for the receiver to be able to inform himself/herself in advance about the e-book reader, the donor should provide as detailed a product description as possible. Important information includes the manufacturer, product name and year of production.

If you do not find a receiver for your used books via BENU REUSE or your desired book is not offered, you can check the REUSE service. Here you can find out which organisations and businesses broker or accept used books, give them away for reuse or sell them.

The best way to save resources is to pass on or share books and magazines, e.g. in reading circles, swap meets and lending libraries. For people who read a lot, using an e-book reader can possibly contribute to climate protection. Reading with an electronic device saves paper, energy and greenhouse gases. If you read ten books a year or more, it is worth switching to an e-book reader - but only if this actually replaces the purchase of new printed books or newspapers. In addition, make sure you buy an efficient device and use it in an energy-saving way. You can find more information and tips on the selection and sustainable use of e-book readers here.

Various

If your used object cannot be passed on via BENU REUSE, or if you cannot find the tool you are looking for, you can have a look at the REUSE service. Here, you will discover the addresses of organizations and companies that accept, pass on or sell used items. You can also have them repaired by various partners or repair them yourself.

If your used tool can no longer be used or repaired, please dispose of it at your local recycling centre.

We have decided not to sell clothes, textiles or furs through BENU REUSE. We generally reject the use of fur for ethical reasons. Incidentally, since June 2018 the breeding of fur animals has been banned in Luxembourg!

Several initiatives in Luxembourg collect clothes in order to use them further, e.g. charitable organizations but also various second-hand shops. You can find information on this under BENU Service.

With the BENU COUTURE project, we have been upcycling clothing since October 2018. In our professional tailor's atelier in Esch / Alzette, UpCycling fashion is designed, produced and sold in our own shop using used clothes. In the future, you will receive more information about our project on a new website from BENU COUTURE, many details about the global use of collected clothing and the problems of the steadily growing fast fashion industry.

For logistical reasons, it is unfortunately not possible to sell surplus groceries through BENU REUSE.

But several initiatives in Luxembourg are already active in this field! They endeavor to convey food that can no longer be sold in stores and thereby "save" it from being thrown away. You can find information on this under REUSE Service.

BENU REUSE criteria

Not all, but very many, used items can be passed on or searched for via BENU REUSE. Here you can find out which items are conveyed and which are excluded from conveyance.

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