DIY Repurposing an Old Oil Tank

Being eco-minded requires us to think about waste—where it ends up and the impacts of choosing one disposal method over another. How much new energy and resources will be needed to remake a product in a factory rather than just recycling it? Is it better to repurpose and upcycle when recycling is an option? What will be the least impactful choice on our environment?

The waste hierarchy can help with this decision. It sets an order of priority, starting with the preferred option of waste prevention, followed by preparing waste for reuse, recycling and energy recovery, with disposal (such as landfill) as the last resort.