Press releases or PRs, while beneficial, are sometimes a bit of a task. You have to compile the relevant facts and turn them into a document that is informative, engaging, and hits all the SEO notes. With this in mind, it comes as no surprise that not everyone wants to write a new release from scratch every time there is a new announcement to make. This brings up the vital question: can you recycle a press release?

The idea of repurposing an old PR is appealing as it saves you time, effort, and money. But how feasible is this? In this article, we’ll touch on a few points of consideration

How to Recycle a Press Release

First, it is worth looking at the ways that a PR can be recycled or repurposed. Recycling a press release essentially means taking an existing one and turning it into something new or re-purposing it in a new format, and this can be done in the following ways:

Changing Details: As we’ve said in the past, a standard PR has to have certain details included, such as the 5Ws (who, what, when, where, and why), as these ensure that the most vital information is communicated. It also means that as long as these are included, you have the foundation of a press release. So, if you want to recycle it, you can simply change these details. 

“XYZ Holdings has announced a new product to be launched on 1st March 2026. The product will be available online and in its flagship store in London, and is the latest in its existing line.” can be taken and have the details such as the name of the company and the date changed. Thus, you’ve created a new press release with minimal effort. 

Rewriting: As much as changing the 5Ws can create a new PR, it will not likely be a very detailed one. Other elements come together to create a PR, such as quotes, descriptions of the product/service, history of the company, and so on. If you want to include these details, you might have to move things around and rewrite certain sections. However, if you’re creating a press release for the same company as before, things such as the company background can remain as before. 

Changing Format: Press releases might primarily exist in written text form, but they can also be turned into videos, social media content, infographics, newsletters, and much more. If you want to get more traction out of a development you’ve already reported on or want to create a new PR, you might benefit from changing the format. In this case, it means converting the information to a new medium and sharing it on new platforms. 

Re-publishing: It is also worth noting that recycling a press release could mean stretching its lifespan by re-publishing it. Say the original PR was only put on a handful of platforms and didn’t get much traction. In this case, you can have it published on even more platforms and have it seen by more people. 

Things to Consider Before Recycling Press Releases

While, as we’ve pointed out, press releases can be recycled, it does not always mean that they should be. Before you choose to rework an existing press release, consider the following factors:

Time Constraints: One of the most common reasons why people recycle press releases is time constraints. If you have to get certain news out in record time, reworking an existing one could be the easiest option. This is especially true if you want to opt for simply swapping out the details, like the names and dates and putting it out. But if you have a lot of time to work with, you can take your time to write it from scratch and tailor it more to that particular development. 

Press Release Complexity: Not every PR can be easily converted to another format or adapted for another development. Depending on how complex it is, it will need extensive editing and will take so much effort that you might as well write a new one. So, take a moment to read the PR you want to recycle before you proceed.

Format Requirements: You might be thinking of recycling a press release and sending it to new platforms. While this might save you time, you also have to consider the format requirements of the platforms. Some want their submitted press releases to adhere to certain guidelines and will reject any that don’t fit this mold. If you end up recycling press releases in this way, you might spend more time dealing with rejections and resubmitting than it would have taken to write a new one. So, make sure that you review each publication to make sure that what you are submitting is to their taste. 

Convenience: In most cases, the desire to recycle a press release is simply a desire to enjoy convenience. The good news is that you can do this by hiring the services that we offer here at XpressWire. Not only can we create press releases in record time, but we can also submit them to the relevant platforms and have them published according to your timeline. This means no worrying about whether or not all the right information has been added, if guidelines are being met, and so on. 

Conclusion 

For various reasons, businesses might find themselves wanting to recycle press releases they’ve already put out, but there are certain considerations to keep in mind. Recycling a press release to fit a new development can be a very simple matter or can be tedious depending on the news being shared, the guidelines of the platforms you are targeting, and much more. Consider the steps we’ve outlined for getting more use out of a press release and find out if it is feasible for you. And always remember that you can reach out to us here at XpressWire to handle every aspect of putting out PRs.