I'm not sure if this counts as "recycling" but I always reuse our baby food jars. We have about ten of them, and I reuse all of them regularly. I either make my own food and store it in there, or I put things in there for lunches! When I pack my partners lunches for work, I'll put mayo+mustard in the little ones for his sandwich. They are also a good size for nuts, dip for veggies, or cut up carrots! It's a great way to not waste all of those small containers!
I recycle by getting whatever I can at garage sales. This way I am reusing items and I am also saving money.
Claudia
· 1 year ago
OH BOY
Patti
· 1 year ago
"Wait, don't throw that I away, I can use it", is something my husband hears quiet often. I'm a photographer and always making sets for photos out of things "past their prime". I use old clothes as set backdrops, sometimes the pattern is enough, other time I paint and cut holes in it. We recently did a photoshoot that involved "rain", I took old bottle caps and hung them from fishing line. When slightly out of focus the silver insides looked like rain, and the colored outsides looked like the rain reflecting a light. BEAUTIFUL! I even involved my kids in the process. Instead of sending out Christmas cards that get lost in the mix, we make a "Christmas in July" photo and send them out now. We take the old cards from everyone who sent them out last Christmas, cut them to postcard size and screen print our photo onto a hopefully fairly plain spot on the card. We print the address over their old card design and our photo becomes the attraction. This year we made a blizzard at the cabin with marshmellows hanging from the tree while our kids splashed in the water with scaves, hats, and swimsuits on. We recycled the marshmellows that night over the campfire!
We use the baby containers to store food. Since we do the one trash can goal every week, we try not to throw away things we can use for children's art projects. Some beautiful cards have been made from previously thrown away items.
A Cowboy's Wife
· 1 year ago
Hmmm, I'm not too eco-friendly but we don't toss out our toothbrushes after they've had it. Instead, we use them for scrubbing jewelry and getting rust of spurs, bits, and buckles:)
I also sack all the foam peanuts and use them with a mixture of soil to plant & replant or flowers & house plants:)
I reuse baby food jars not only for snack sized foods and condiments, but to store beads and supplies for making jewelry. I save and reuse any plastic bags I may get from the grocery store if I end buying more than will fit in my cloth bags, for cleaning out the cat litter, wastebaskets, or to use as stuffing for crafting projects like pillows. Yes, I make pillows out of plastic bags...LOL I store all of these plastic bags in a recycled 2 liter soda bottle that has the bottom cut off, and all the bags get stuffed in there, and are easy to grab one when I need it, because that bottle is tacked to the wall in my kitchen. I make potholders out of recycled clothing that has worn out, and I also reuse dryer sheets by using them as fresheners in litter boxes and they are great for placing in cooking pots or pans if food is stuck on them. Soak the pan in hot water with the dryer sheet for 20 minutes, the stuck on food comes right off!
I use plastic bags to fill up the extra space in planters. Much better than the plastic popcorn pieces. I can raise or lower the plants inside the planter with just adding or removing the plastic bag. I could fill them which would use less bags
We recycle everything imaginable! I am guilty of not throwing away things like fabric, paper, cardboard and so on because I just KNOW I will need it for something later.
Why just today, I needed a new bag to hold my clothes pins, so I used some of the fabric from the VW upholstery I'm re-doing to make one! I plan on blogging about it later today!
I also save yogurt cups and use them to start seedlings for my garden! Not original, but it's way better than buying new containers for that reason!
I recycle as much as possible and things I cannot use I giveaway so others can use them until they can use them no more.
Michelle S.
· 1 year ago
I do all the regular recycling I can (the styrofoam peanuts in planters truly is one of the best tips ever), but I think I only do one thing that hasn't been discussed besides that I save all gray water to water my plants, but that isn't creative, really, just useful.
Anyway, I collect books--I buy them all used, so I don't have to feel too guilty about the dead trees (I hope, anyway, because seriously, I am addicted to books), but I also loan them out all the time and getting them back was getting to be a problem, so I started put the address labels charities enclose in their appeals as makeshift bookplates. When those ran out, I decided to cut out the label on all junk mail addressed to me and glue-stick them to my books. I am about three quarters through my collection and now I always get my books back. Bliss.
Erica C.
· 1 year ago
that's very cool looing!
I try to make some cool knick knacks or wall art out of recycable things but it never looks as nice as this!
wana haaland
· 1 year ago
Wow, Patti is an inspiration! But my daughter who is a teacher could really use it too.
Louise A Brouillette
· 1 year ago
I've found that frugality and green living go hand in hand! A lot of the things we've been doing for years (reusing, etc) fit right in.
susan varney
· 1 year ago
use canvas bags for all shopping
kerry
· 1 year ago
i use freecycle
Kathy Scott
· 1 year ago
I use the used dryer sheets to dust with.
celticbuffy
· 1 year ago
We use popped popcorn instead of paper or packing peanuts when mailing gifts, etc, and also for our upcoming move. We can also snack while we pack, and when we unpack we can compost it or feed the birds.
This is an old-fashioned hint, but a really good thing to do these days. Collect rain water in barrels and use the water later to water your plants and vegetables (that you should be growing to cut down on grocery bills and give your family real fresh food).
Christina Barnes
· 1 year ago
I use the bottle tops from cans to make cute bags!
d
· 1 year ago
Today I used the back of an already printed on piece of paper to print out a pattern for a cloth diaper that I intend to sew with an old flannel sheet. Now if that's not green, I don't know what is!
feener
· 1 year ago
crayons.....i melt all the broken ones in muffin tins and make a muffin crayon. also, newspapers are great for arts and crafts over and over again.
My husband and I have always tried to explain to our daughters about "recycling". ..and they get it. My youngest (Piper age 5) loves to pull all of the tabs off of the soda cans and collects them in a watter gallon. It's her way of contributing to the family's want to recycle.
To me, this is a way of keeping our kids involved with making a cleaner place to live. It may be a small thing, but to a child...this is very big. She tells us all the time that she's helping save the earth. Now who wouldn't smile at something so special.
As my husband and I go to the recycle trucks on the weekends with all of our things, my girls keep on collecting those soda tabs and feel very important in the process.
DONNA COUGHLIN
· 1 year ago
use canvas bags for all shopping
Tonya Froemel
· 1 year ago
We reuse gift bags that we receive. I also iron and reuse the tissue paper that gets stuffed into the bags.
Also, I sew stuff out of reclaimed fabrics. An old sheet can become reusable cloth napkins, a childs nightgown, a sundress, pillowcases, Adults clothing can be cut into children's clothes, used kids clothes can be made into doll clothes or used for crafts, etc.
beth daley
· 1 year ago
coffee grounds mixed in with dirt as plant food.
Muthering Heights
· 1 year ago
I don't think it's very creative, just brave...we compost with worms! We feed the worms all of our food and plant waste to generate dirt for our garden.
Also, I use old cloth to wipe my kids down, clean high chairs/surfaces, an generally keep them clean instead of paper towels. We only use one roll of paper towels a month now!
Before I started "toting it" on my shopping ventures, I saved all the blue bags, not wanting to throw them away and not wanting to use them. I acquired a huge stash of them and after starting "toting", wondered what to do withthose bags. Know what I did? I made a huge rag rug for the garage. It's very simple to do; just cut strips (older kids can do their part by helping) , tie end to end. When you get to the end (however long you want your rug), start back up the row tying more strips onto existing strip. Repeat for as wide as you want your rug or until (like me!) you use them all! I used all my bags, it looks really cool (cool blue) and you wouldn't believe how durable it is for the garage. This is one rug he can track all over and all I do is spray it clean. I was very proud of myself! The tote and all their products fall into the quite desirable range.
mannequins last blog post..
mannequin
· 1 year ago
I stumbled. Great site and great giveaway. Thanks for hosting and thank you, Ecoist!
mannequins last blog post..
Miranda Allen
· 1 year ago
Shop wiht reusable bags
beth shepherd
· 1 year ago
We have always recycled but today decided it was time to plunge in head first and recycle almost anything we can. So we went to Lowes and bought 4 large trash cans and each of the kids labeled a can as to what was to be put in it. This is going to be fun. But one of the more fun things we recycle and reuse is milk jugs. We wash them out and cut out a section and hang in the trees to use as bird feeders. In some we put nuts and others just seed. Its wonderful to watch the birds use something that we would have normally just thrown away. Thank you for having this!
Madam Pince
· 1 year ago
My hubby is on home dialysis, and his supplies are shipped in sturdy cardboard boxes. Instead of throwing them away, we reuse a few and then give the rest away via Freecycle and Craiglist. Someone is always moving, storing stuff, or shipping Ebay sales.
Wendy
· 1 year ago
My favorite new recycling idea is one I came across at the Gardener's Supply Company...use your old 2 liter bottles to drip irrigate your plants! It's genius!
Here are instructions how to make a simple drip irrigator of your own! Just drill a few small holes in the top of the bottle, cut the bottom off, bury and fill! http://www.yougrowgirl.com/garden/dripsystem.php
I re-use just about everything. Old ties are transformed into lampshades, pillowcases become chair slipcovers, etc. I know it's not completely original but I do what I can and get my kids involved whenever posible. gkstratos@ yahoo.com
janet lindsey
· 1 year ago
I RECYCLE BY USING RECYCLED ITEMS AND USING CARDBOARD.
Debbie Criss
· 1 year ago
I recycle everything. I only have a bag of trash about every 4 months. We have recycle bins. We recycle plastic, cans, cardboard, paper, magzines. At our recycling plant they have a free shop. You can add or take. I teach my sons only to take if we're really going to use. I hit all the yard sales and thrifty shops. The only way something is considered trash is if it can't be used no more. Everybodys recycling is great. I didn't quite understand mannequin way of making the rug. I'm very crafty , would love to learn how. I was making braided rugs from blue jeans. I cut them in strips and braided them with some metal rug braiders my Aunt gave me many years ago. Please enter me, thank you
happyathome
· 1 year ago
The plasic containers that the fruit or vegetables such as cherry tomatos come in, I reuse them to pick my blueberries and raspberries and I use them to start next year seedlings. http://lifeislikechampagne.blogspot.com/
I use my old breadbags for storing food like cheese rather than buying wrap. I save all the packaging that I get in the mail and reuse it when I want to send a package. I use my grocery bags to line my trash containers, and I turn my printer paper over and reuse it whenever possible.
Over the winter holidays, I got really into Furoshiki (the Japanese art of wrapping packages in fabric). It's a great way to re-use piecies of cloth you have at home and fun to pick-up cool cloths at flea markets and thrift stores. Everyone was so impressed by the appearance of the gifts and even better, when I give the gift I give the recipient two options: 1) keep the cloth and reuse it (I'll show you how to wrap with it if you'd like) or 2) give it back to me and I'll use it again.
Wow, everyone has some great recycling ideas. I think I'm going to have a hard time choosing a winner for this contest. I feel inspired to do more today after reading all of these great ideas! Thanks!
Green and Clean Mom =)
Kate
· 1 year ago
My grandpa taught me this one:
Using pantyhose that have past their prime. Cut the legs off, and use the legs as garden ties. They are stretchy and wonderful. They can stake new trees, or you can loosely tie daisies (or other flowers) that are laying on the ground after a hard rain until it has retrained itself to grow upright. Or rescue a tomato plant that is just not staying in the cage. The possibilities truely are endless. If you tie the legs together, they can be infinately long. He used to collect everyone's and make what looked like a yarn ball out of them, and just cut off what he needed when he needed it. I found myself starting my own little nylon yarn ball, and they really do come in handy. So, the next time you have a run in you stockings and think about throwing them away, just cut off the legs and start a little ball, you will thank my grandpa when you are looking for something to tie up your stray tomato.
We reuse almost everything, from composting kitchen waste to saving bits and baubles we find on the road. My husband is an artist so he finds creative ways to reuse stuff all the time. He's made some gorgeous pieces with beer bottle caps that he hammer flat and then nails to wooden armatures. The wall in our front entry way has a bottle cap mural and he's made a series of masks with oxidized bottle caps.
I like to keep the crayons from restaurant kid meals and melt them together to remold in fun shapes, too. They make great party favors.
We try and eat all our food and not throw anything away.
Angela J
· 1 year ago
Plastic soda bottles for mini greenhouses, plastic bags for package stuffing, start a compost bin, shred newspapers to add to the compost, return junk mail in it's own prepaid envelope (and help the PO collect that delivery cost).
Shelly Gudmunsen
· 1 year ago
When I was in college, a bunch of girlfriends and I recycled thrift store and garage sale scarves into beautiful bohemian tops. It was a piece of cake to sew one scarf horizontally to fit across the bust, two or three to drape from the bust to the hips, and one cut in half as the straps. We called them "boob curtains"!
Thanks for entering me into the contest ... I'm drooling over the eco bag!
Jennifer M
· 1 year ago
My husband really hates to give up his t-shirts, even when they wear out. I cut the logo part off, and we use them as cloth napkins. The sleeves, backs, etc. I tear up for rags.
Ken Robinson
· 1 year ago
Reuse, don't abuse. Please accept my entry.
Mike Weisberg
· 1 year ago
i want to win
kari follett
· 1 year ago
We use Sigg bottles, cloth grocery bags, grow our own herbs and veggies and of course recycle!
Monique Rizzo
· 1 year ago
Reduce,Reuse and Recycle!
Amir
· 1 year ago
Use the freecycle site. It's great for the environment!
Jill Miller
· 1 year ago
This is a weird one! I keep my drier lint in a plastic bag. In the spring, I'll set the lint out on my deck in a large laundry basket on pretty days. Birds of all types will eventually find the stash, and take various bits to use in making their nests. It's really fun to watch them "choose" their favorite pieces and fly away with them, and I know they help make the nests extra comfortable for the baby birds.
Beverly M
· 1 year ago
i use freecycle
vicki andrew
· 1 year ago
the freecycle site is a great way to recycle items you no longer have need of and to ask for things you need.
Sarah Z
· 1 year ago
I try to do a number of things... use the recycle program through the trash company, yard sales, and use freecycle.
Miren Inake
· 1 year ago
I re-use the CDs that nobody wants to scare the birds in my tomato plants or any plant you don't want the birds to eat. I hang two or three of them from the wires that hold the plant and it works. They are like cheap scarecrows.
tia carter
· 1 year ago
i hope i win
Stacy
· 1 year ago
Milk jug tops for outdoor checkers, newspaper plastic bags to bring home waste to compost from work, newspaper under the mulch in your garden. Not recycling but when we take my son for a walk we pick up trash in our neighborhood.
Tara Hill
· 1 year ago
Ok, one of my friends would LOVE this! SO, since I would give it to her, I'll give you a tip she showed me. I tear my dryer sheets in half...it's all you need to get the job done!
Emily
· 1 year ago
Comments already posted offer great suggestions and were well worth reading. I especially liked using the dryer sheets to clean pans, and returning junk mail in their pre-paid envelopes (but I think I'll just continue recyling it with my paper rather than taking the time to open and resend them). I save up my dog's hair all fall and winter and then put it out for birds to use, but I hadn't thought to do the same with my dryer lint (I've just been saving it up in a bag and wondering what I might do with it). For people who haven't tried, it is great fun watching the birds take bits of fur and incorporate it into their nests!
However, my favorite recyling story comes from a friend who while in the county jail for numerous traffic tickets taught the other inmates about chess. They were intrigued enough that they donated the salt and pepper packets from their lunches to be used as chess pieces. My friend made marks on them to differentiate the pieces and then they had a tournament to help pass the time.
Kate
· 1 year ago
I stumbled! Thanks for visiting my blog Sommer! I love getting comments, they make me smile. I am getting some great ideas from this post! There are a lot of creative minds out there. I will have to try the cds on my tomato plants, interesting...
Sue Eberhardt
· 1 year ago
So easy . . . save your used coffee grounds for top dressing your garden. The garde soil loves the coffee grounds. Just keep them dry so they don't get moldy.
jan koontz
· 1 year ago
we all need to do our part
Alecia Gibson
· 1 year ago
Recycle your old CDs by making these colorful fish!! Instructions: Using whatever color of paper you prefer, cut out the fish's lips, fins, and tail. Glue the lips and fins to the side of the cd with the writing on it. Set aside one of the top fins. Cut a piece of yarn or fishing line 3 - 4 feet long. Tie a knot in one end. Run a line of glue from the hole in the center of the cd up to the top edge of the top fin that is glued onto the cd. Lay the yarn or fishing line on top of the glue so the knot is in the hole in the cd as shown in. Glue the extra top fin on top of the other top fin to cover the yarn. Spead glue all over the side of the cd that everything else is glued to. Set the other cd on top of the glue and match up all the edges. Make sure you have the side of the cd with any writing facing down into the glue. Glue the wiggly eyes on your fish as shown in. Glue one on each side of his head. If you don't have wiggly eyes, you can also use a small white pom-pom and a black bead. This will give your fishes eyes a more 'buggy' look! The last thing you need now is a fin on the side of the fish! You will make these by using a 5 x 6 inch piece of construction paper. Accordian fold the paper. Using figure 7 for an example, you would fold the paper back and forth on the white lines. Once it is fold, hold the folds together and slip in through the hole in the center of the cd. Center the paper in the hole and unfold the ends a bit to fluff them out. Add a little glue to hole of the cd and the paper. You can now hang up your completed fish.
The most 'creative' recycling thing I saw was for sale at a street market - plastic milk container turned into a vase and decorated with recycled materials. Bizarre.
trisha dowling
· 1 year ago
we recycle our coffee grounds and use in the planters
Kristinia Clos
· 1 year ago
I save everything.. from magazines to use for collages, to Christmas cards for scrapbooking, everything can be re-used for some sort of craft and then gifted to friends and family! I even re-use a water jug for water, I just keep re-filling the jug, same with OJ, and even fruit juice for my boys! I try to re-use as much plastic as I can, instead of having to buy more and more.
Robin Thornhill
· 1 year ago
My husband and I are always figuring out ways to recycle and reuse in our house.
One of my newest came from changing over to all natural mineral makeup. I love it! But I was worried about all the little plastic pots that were left empty at the end. Now I clean them out and when I make homemade lip balm, instead of buying tubes to put it in, I put it in the pots. Just like buying Burts Bee's , but its saving money and the planet!
My husband is a musician and we seem to end up with old guitars that are beyond repair. We couldnt stand the thought of just throwing them away. They have a lot of great memories, and they would just end up at the landfill! I started making lamps out of them for our music room. All his friends love them and were wondering where I "ordered" it. They are always surprised to hear its another of our recycling projects!
Richard Vegh
· 1 year ago
Reusing old birdcages as planters, with plants inside and even trained vines outside, converts a bulky, unsightly hulk into a gorgeous, low-maintenance planter (just water/fertilize your overgrown birdcage planter as needed). The same idea applies to old grills, which can be left as-is or painted flashy colors, for a retro-looking stylish planter.
R Hicks
· 1 year ago
I have a compost pile in the back yard. We toss everything into it including egg shells and coffee grounds
Jay French
· 1 year ago
We get literally dozens of sets of return address labels from charities soliciting for donations. We get way more than we can use. If they have pictures (most do), we cut the pictures off in strips for my wife's preschool class to use in their art projects. The kids love using the little stickers to decorate some of their projects, and we'll have hundreds a year they can use.
alison
· 1 year ago
We make sure we're prepared BEFORE we leave the house. Each child has their own reusable water or juice container, and we have reusable containers for snacks, etc. This way, we don't have to buy endless supplies of bottled water, juice and snacks while out. It saves money as well as reduces trash!
Kathy Mullins
· 1 year ago
I like to reuse note paper or printouts that I don't need anymore. I also donate magazines to the local Veterans' Hospital so that our veterans can have enjoyable reading material.
What a great giveaway to promote recycling.
Happy Fourth of July!!
krystie
· 1 year ago
save old news papers and reuse them for gift wrapping. i started when i wrapped birthday presents for my boyfriend who loves comics. you can also shred them and use it for any animals you might have. house breaking a puppy, rabbit..
Babalu
· 1 year ago
I freecycle. People come to my house and take my stuff so it doesn't have to be tossed. I also get a thing or two from others.
Heather
· 1 year ago
I try to buy re-used toys and clothing for my kids because the packaging on toys at the stores these days is RIDICULOUS and incredibly wasteful!! I also use pillowcase shaped cloth bags to 'wrap' gifts!
I stumbled you for an extra entry!!
Ed Nemmers
· 1 year ago
Coffee grounds in the garden
bob
· 1 year ago
Don't forget that dryer lint can easily be recycled in mulch and compost bins. Cotton reconstitutes easily.
Heather Curtis
· 1 year ago
Aside from recycling all of our newspapers, aluminum cans and glass jars, we use any plastic grocery bags (we're going to buy a reusable one soon!) we get from shopping, as a trash bin liner.
Pauline M
· 1 year ago
I really enjoyed reading these posts, they gave me some great ideas. Being a room mother at my sons school, the class ends up with tons of crayons, partly used, partly broken which the kids don't use anymore. I use some letter cookie cutters after I melt them and take them back to school for the kids to use, they love it!
Another nice thing is those darn plastic bags you get from the grocery store. We have a local grocery store who pays the school for those used bags and recycles them. It gives everyone a way to recycle them and help your local school at the same time!
Alice
· 1 year ago
we like to make birdfeeders out of bottles
Katie
· 1 year ago
We do a lot of recycling and repurposing around here. One thing that comes to mind very easily (because I was just looking at the site) is using our old newspaper as packing material for things we sell on ebay.
Tiffanie W.
· 1 year ago
We save up our plastic bags from shopping and donate them to the Salvation Army to use in their stores.
zoey smith
· 1 year ago
Now a days every one sends their information on a disk. Rather than throwing away my old disks; I take a piece of leftover yarn (from craft projects) and tie the used disks on my trees, I have even recruited my friends to forgo throwing away old/damaged cds/dvds and giving then to me.
All those cds/dvds scare away the birds who would ordinarily eat my apples and peaches. The fact that I can avoid the use of pesticides makes this practice even better!
kathleen
· 1 year ago
It is gettig hard to come up with new ideas for reclyling. We had a strong wind last week and some of our clay pots fell off the wall and broke. I noticed that my husband broke the pots into even smaller pieces and mixed them into the potting soil. He says it help drainage but he didn't know he was recycling.
Danelle
· 1 year ago
We reuse old toothbrushes for small cleaning jobs around the house. We also have a great recycling program so we recycle everything we can.
Jaime
· 1 year ago
A toothpaste box with the flaps cut off and cut into three cubes can be used to easily pick up dead bugs without wasting a paper towel. Just place the box over the bug and squeeze.
Samantha Pruitt
· 1 year ago
use the back of printed papers that you don't need anymore to save on printing paper, it saves a lot!
kristanmarieanderson@hotmail.c
· 1 year ago
I think plastic shopping bags are the worst. I ask cashiers to load them as full as possible or I carry things without using tons of bags. If I am stuck and need to get plastic bags I use them to pick up the yard after my dog.
L McLendon
· 1 year ago
How about this, I recently bought two thermos cups that will keep hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold. It came with a cardboard holder and instead of throwing it away, I am covering it with adhesive wrapping paper and using it as a really handy cup holder. It saved on waste and gave me a handy place to sit my drinks around the house more securely.
marybeth i.
· 1 year ago
I am trying to find more ways to reuse items. I have been much better about recycliny - I have always recycled the standard stuff - cans, jars, bottles, etc. but I am not trying to recycle everything I can.
I will definitely start using some of the ideas posted here!
We have been living GREEN for years , I was called Frugal. LOL I try to reuse everything,its easy. I wash out plastic food bags ,stopped using plastic shopping bags,all of our waste food goes into the ground,compost,mail envelopes becomes a starter for burning wood in the winter. I try to buy all of my items in glass ,and I don't buy prepackaged foods,too much waste there.If we all try to buy paper or glass for packaging in the stores the larger companies will make the change instead of plastic.Count me in to win
Kristi Gilleland
· 1 year ago
The containers that strawberries come in make great seed starting greenhouses. Just fill with seed starter and you've got a great planter. It keeps you from having to buy the seed starter greenhouses if you normally do. :)
Cindy Beckman
· 1 year ago
We reuse everything we can from the butter dishes we purchase in the store, jars are re-used as seed starters, bottles reused to collect rain water. Everything has a use and we see that it is used to it's maximum.
sarah woods
· 1 year ago
Love the green bag; they are everywhere; in our vehicles; in our offices; and in our homes; so we do not forget them. thanks
reeva
· 1 year ago
I recycle the water from my shower -- Weekly, I put the plants in with me when I take a shower -- the soap keeps bugs away and it waters my plants at the same time :)
Denise
· 1 year ago
I recycle clothing by donating items my family has grown out of to MS for others to wear.
kathy pease
· 1 year ago
i use coffee grounds in my garden :)
Heather C
· 1 year ago
Compost food waste, use canvas bags while shopping, recycle just about everything (cans, glass, paper, plastic bags, plastic bottles), donate clothes and shoes to causes, donate packing material to shipping stores - those are the normal things. Interesting things? We'll see: use old socks to clean around the house, place any and all nut shells cracked around the garden to keep cats away, toilet paper rolls saved until Christmas time to make poppers, paste candy wrappers of the same kind around a mat frame for a fun border to a silly picture, etc. Recycling food. :-)
dani
· 1 year ago
As a teacher almosts all our crafts and presents are made out of what others may consider trash. Winter Gifts. used pantyhose and wire hanger. Reshape hanger tie the leg without holes over. Then make riendeer face and antlers and you have a cute doorknob hanger. I have also used baby jars and packing matierial to make snowglobes. Arizona Tea glass bottles are great to decropage with colored tissue paper. We also wrap all our gifts in newspaper.
cat
· 1 year ago
we recycle any plastic bags we have. I also flip copier paper over and resue it whenever possible. I have a compost in the yard and return "food scraps" back to the earth
Suanne Giddings
· 1 year ago
I was overrun with plastic grocery bags before I started using reusable bags. I could never remember to take them to the collection bins for recycling, so I just got more and more. One day I sat down and made "yarn" out of the bags cut into strips and crocheted them with a BIG hook into a rag rug. It was mostly white, but the colored bags I used in the mix added a nice slpash of color here and there. It came out pretty fantastic even if I do say so myself! LOL Thanks for the chance to win!
Annie W.
· 1 year ago
My cat loves old (clean) pizza boxes--he thinks they are to be used as cat beds. I'm going to start covering the boring white with pretty wrapping paper.
Newspaper "protectors"--those plastics sleeves-- have numerous uses. A pal microwaves baked and sweet potatoes in them. I use them as "armour" when I need to attack poison ivy--I slip a couple over my hand and forearm and I haven't had a rash using them.
Old jeans and pantyhose have been used for decades in my family as ties for tomato plants.
Plastic fast-food drink cups can be used as scoops, to start plants. I drink out of them at home until they break. Mom stacks them in narrow spots as a kitten barrier.
Chipped dishes can be used as ring bowls by the sink or broken up for mosaic projects.
I save old jars to start plants (especially avocadoes for friends even though I end up with all of them).
Joan Koczon
· 1 year ago
I saw a belt made with the tabs from soda cans and have been saving them to crochet together for a belt for myself.. I did start taking the tabs from cat food cans (a little bigger then the soda cans) and have been 'trying to' tie them together to make little things to put plants on so they won't mess up the furniture.
Renee
· 1 year ago
I am rinsing my dishes outside to also water my lawn and plants.
PhyllisG
· 1 year ago
Bath water waters my lawn.
Gary Emes
· 1 year ago
I recycle my yogurt cups I use them as little planters.
A Casson
· 1 year ago
I take and use the plastic lids from my nut and margarine container for mini disposable cutting boards. Seems to do the job with less cleanup and the disposable part is the best
Diana Lindeman
· 1 year ago
Do recycle or am I just cheap? Probably a little bite of both. I really like to shop at Aldi's because you bring your own bags or use their boxes. I still feel funny dragging around cloth bags.
tangie c
· 1 year ago
Since I'm a junior high school teacher, I came up with a way to get all of the students (almost 1,000) at my school to start recycling ALL of their plastic drink bottles from lunch and PE. Most of the time, they would toss them into the trash or scatter them around the campus. What I did, is I ask that they bring all plastics to me to recycle, I have a large tub to collect them. At the end of the semester, we use the money from the recycling to have a pizza party!! This way, the kids are excited to see the bottels multiply, and they even pick up bottles other kids have thrown on the floor!! Many pick up recycleables on their way to school!!
Cat Hare
· 1 year ago
I use a lot of postcards to enter sweepstakes. I started taking cardboard food boxes like cereal boxes, etc. and making postcards from them. I open up the box so it is flat and then run it through my paper cutter. I end up with free, colorful postcards and the boxes are recycled.
Joy Venters
· 1 year ago
trimming all the beautiful cards I recieve to a postcard size allows me to re-send the greetings - also, the plastic baby food tubs make an excellant "freeze the dab of leftovers" so they can be used later - e.g.dabs of vege's can be turned into veg. soup
Lily Kwan
· 1 year ago
I put eggshells in my plants' potting soil for additional calcium.
Lily Kwan
· 1 year ago
I emailed some friends about this cool contest!
Molly Palmer
· 1 year ago
You know those trays meat comes on well don't throw them away save them. I use them to make cards simple and easy. take the tray and lightly draw ( so you dont poke threw the tray) with a pen or pencil what you want the card to look like. remember the image will be fliped when you punt it on the paper so, letters and such should be drawn backwards so that you can read them when you are done. after you draw your image grab some markers (not sharpies) and color in your image. set aside. pick out the paper you want to use and fold it how you wish. grab a sponge or spray bottle and lightly moisten your paper. then turn the tray over colored side down on the paper. For little kids it's easier to put the paper on top of the colored image than the other way around. press down and be care full not to move the paper or tray. then pull back evenly and you will have a quick and easy card. You can use this to make pictures and posters and other things as well. try useing a paper bag as your paper and recycle even more!!!!!!!!
All Comments
I'm not sure if this counts as "recycling" but I always reuse our baby food jars. We have about ten of them, and I reuse all of them regularly. I either make my own food and store it in there, or I put things in there for lunches! When I pack my partners lunches for work, I'll put mayo+mustard in the little ones for his sandwich. They are also a good size for nuts, dip for veggies, or cut up carrots! It's a great way to not waste all of those small containers!
Allisons last blog post..Stop Touching My Child!
I even involved my kids in the process. Instead of sending out Christmas cards that get lost in the mix, we make a "Christmas in July" photo and send them out now. We take the old cards from everyone who sent them out last Christmas, cut them to postcard size and screen print our photo onto a hopefully fairly plain spot on the card. We print the address over their old card design and our photo becomes the attraction. This year we made a blizzard at the cabin with marshmellows hanging from the tree while our kids splashed in the water with scaves, hats, and swimsuits on. We recycled the marshmellows that night over the campfire!
Pattis last blog post..Recycle
I also sack all the foam peanuts and use them with a mixture of soil to plant & replant or flowers & house plants:)
A Cowboy's Wifes last blog post..Family Generousity
I save and reuse any plastic bags I may get from the grocery store if I end buying more than will fit in my cloth bags, for cleaning out the cat litter, wastebaskets, or to use as stuffing for crafting projects like pillows.
Yes, I make pillows out of plastic bags...LOL
I store all of these plastic bags in a recycled 2 liter soda bottle that has the bottom cut off, and all the bags get stuffed in there, and are easy to grab one when I need it, because that bottle is tacked to the wall in my kitchen.
I make potholders out of recycled clothing that has worn out, and I also reuse dryer sheets by using them as fresheners in litter boxes and they are great for placing in cooking pots or pans if food is stuck on them.
Soak the pan in hot water with the dryer sheet for 20 minutes, the stuck on food comes right off!
Kats last blog post..Off to eat and play!
A Cowboy's Wifes last blog post..Family Generousity
Why just today, I needed a new bag to hold my clothes pins, so I used some of the fabric from the VW upholstery I'm re-doing to make one! I plan on blogging about it later today!
I also save yogurt cups and use them to start seedlings for my garden! Not original, but it's way better than buying new containers for that reason!
Beths last blog post..Pests
Anyway, I collect books--I buy them all used, so I don't have to feel too guilty about the dead trees (I hope, anyway, because seriously, I am addicted to books), but I also loan them out all the time and getting them back was getting to be a problem, so I started put the address labels charities enclose in their appeals as makeshift bookplates. When those ran out, I decided to cut out the label on all junk mail addressed to me and glue-stick them to my books. I am about three quarters through my collection and now I always get my books back. Bliss.
I try to make some cool knick knacks or wall art out of recycable things but it never looks as nice as this!
celticbuffys last blog post..House Buying Hell
feeners last blog post..swim camp
Summers last blog post..A Day In The Life
To me, this is a way of keeping our kids involved with making a cleaner place to live. It may be a small thing, but to a child...this is very big. She tells us all the time that she's helping save the earth. Now who wouldn't smile at something so special.
As my husband and I go to the recycle trucks on the weekends with all of our things, my girls keep on collecting those soda tabs and feel very important in the process.
Also, I sew stuff out of reclaimed fabrics. An old sheet can become reusable cloth napkins, a childs nightgown, a sundress, pillowcases, Adults clothing can be cut into children's clothes, used kids clothes can be made into doll clothes or used for crafts, etc.
Also, I use old cloth to wipe my kids down, clean high chairs/surfaces, an generally keep them clean instead of paper towels. We only use one roll of paper towels a month now!
Muthering Heightss last blog post..I've Opened A can Of Worms...
Know what I did? I made a huge rag rug for the garage. It's very simple to do; just cut strips (older kids can do their part by helping) , tie end to end. When you get to the end (however long you want your rug), start back up the row tying more strips onto existing strip. Repeat for as wide as you want your rug or until (like me!) you use them all!
I used all my bags, it looks really cool (cool blue) and you wouldn't believe how durable it is for the garage. This is one rug he can track all over and all I do is spray it clean.
I was very proud of myself!
The tote and all their products fall into the quite desirable range.
mannequins last blog post..
Great site and great giveaway.
Thanks for hosting and thank you, Ecoist!
mannequins last blog post..
Here are instructions how to make a simple drip irrigator of your own! Just drill a few small holes in the top of the bottle, cut the bottom off, bury and fill!
http://www.yougrowgirl.com/garden/dripsystem.php
Wendys last blog post..Baby’s Bottom Line - Etsy.com Giveaway - Gowheele’s Finger Puppets!
Wendys last blog post..Baby’s Bottom Line - Etsy.com Giveaway - Gowheele’s Finger Puppets!
gkstratos@ yahoo.com
Everybodys recycling is great. I didn't quite understand mannequin way of making the rug. I'm very crafty , would love to learn how. I was making braided rugs from blue jeans. I cut them in strips and braided them with some metal rug braiders my Aunt gave me many years ago.
Please enter me, thank you
http://lifeislikechampagne.blogspot.com/
happyathomes last blog post..Yard Sale Finds
http://lifeislikechampagne.blogspot.com/2008/06...
happyathomes last blog post..Candy as a purse?
http://donteatbaby.blogspot.com/2007/12/gifts-f...
Mommychickys last blog post..MPM
Green and Clean Mom
=)
Using pantyhose that have past their prime. Cut the legs off, and use the legs as garden ties. They are stretchy and wonderful. They can stake new trees, or you can loosely tie daisies (or other flowers) that are laying on the ground after a hard rain until it has retrained itself to grow upright. Or rescue a tomato plant that is just not staying in the cage. The possibilities truely are endless. If you tie the legs together, they can be infinately long. He used to collect everyone's and make what looked like a yarn ball out of them, and just cut off what he needed when he needed it. I found myself starting my own little nylon yarn ball, and they really do come in handy. So, the next time you have a run in you stockings and think about throwing them away, just cut off the legs and start a little ball, you will thank my grandpa when you are looking for something to tie up your stray tomato.
Kates last blog post..Home is...
We reuse almost everything, from composting kitchen waste to saving bits and baubles we find on the road. My husband is an artist so he finds creative ways to reuse stuff all the time. He's made some gorgeous pieces with beer bottle caps that he hammer flat and then nails to wooden armatures. The wall in our front entry way has a bottle cap mural and he's made a series of masks with oxidized bottle caps.
I like to keep the crayons from restaurant kid meals and melt them together to remold in fun shapes, too. They make great party favors.
Naomis last blog post..Strawberry Summer
Thanks for entering me into the contest ... I'm drooling over the eco bag!
Not recycling but when we take my son for a walk we pick up trash in our neighborhood.
However, my favorite recyling story comes from a friend who while in the county jail for numerous traffic tickets taught the other inmates about chess. They were intrigued enough that they donated the salt and pepper packets from their lunches to be used as chess pieces. My friend made marks on them to differentiate the pieces and then they had a tournament to help pass the time.
Instructions:
Using whatever color of paper you prefer, cut out the fish's lips, fins, and tail. Glue the lips and fins to the side of the cd with the writing on it. Set aside one of the top fins.
Cut a piece of yarn or fishing line 3 - 4 feet long. Tie a knot in one end. Run a line of glue from the hole in the center of the cd up to the top edge of the top fin that is glued onto the cd. Lay the yarn or fishing line on top of the glue so the knot is in the hole in the cd as shown in. Glue the extra top fin on top of the other top fin to cover the yarn. Spead glue all over the side of the cd that everything else is glued to. Set the other cd on top of the glue and match up all the edges. Make sure you have the side of the cd with any writing facing down into the glue.
Glue the wiggly eyes on your fish as shown in. Glue one on each side of his head. If you don't have wiggly eyes, you can also use a small white pom-pom and a black bead. This will give your fishes eyes a more 'buggy' look! The last thing you need now is a fin on the side of the fish! You will make these by using a 5 x 6 inch piece of construction paper. Accordian fold the paper. Using figure 7 for an example, you would fold the paper back and forth on the white lines. Once it is fold, hold the folds together and slip in through the hole in the center of the cd. Center the paper in the hole and unfold the ends a bit to fluff them out. Add a little glue to hole of the cd and the paper. You can now hang up your completed fish.
http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/fishcrafts/l/b...
I try to re-use as much plastic as I can, instead of having to buy more and more.
One of my newest came from changing over to all natural mineral makeup. I love it! But I was worried about all the little plastic pots that were left empty at the end. Now I clean them out and when I make homemade lip balm, instead of buying tubes to put it in, I put it in the pots. Just like buying Burts Bee's , but its saving money and the planet!
My husband is a musician and we seem to end up with old guitars that are beyond repair. We couldnt stand the thought of just throwing them away. They have a lot of great memories, and they would just end up at the landfill! I started making lamps out of them for our music room. All his friends love them and were wondering where I "ordered" it. They are always surprised to hear its another of our recycling projects!
What a great giveaway to promote recycling.
Happy Fourth of July!!
I stumbled you for an extra entry!!
Another nice thing is those darn plastic bags you get from the grocery store. We have a local grocery store who pays the school for those used bags and recycles them. It gives everyone a way to recycle them and help your local school at the same time!
All those cds/dvds scare away the birds who would ordinarily eat my apples and peaches. The fact that I can avoid the use of pesticides makes this practice even better!
a cardboard holder and instead of throwing it away, I am covering it with adhesive wrapping paper and using it as a really handy cup holder. It saved on waste and gave me a handy place to sit my drinks around the house more securely.
I will definitely start using some of the ideas posted here!
marybeth i.s last blog post..Updated Blog Directory - July 2008
Interesting things? We'll see: use old socks to clean around the house, place any and all nut shells cracked around the garden to keep cats away, toilet paper rolls saved until Christmas time to make poppers, paste candy wrappers of the same kind around a mat frame for a fun border to a silly picture, etc. Recycling food. :-)
Newspaper "protectors"--those plastics sleeves-- have numerous uses. A pal microwaves baked and sweet potatoes in them. I use them as "armour" when I need to attack poison ivy--I slip a couple over my hand and forearm and I haven't had a rash using them.
Old jeans and pantyhose have been used for decades in my family as ties for tomato plants.
Plastic fast-food drink cups can be used as scoops, to start plants. I drink out of them at home until they break. Mom stacks them in narrow spots as a kitten barrier.
Chipped dishes can be used as ring bowls by the sink or broken up for mosaic projects.
I save old jars to start plants (especially avocadoes for friends even though I end up with all of them).
Doreens last blog post..$10 Walgreens gc