America is a nation of consumers. All of that consuming means a lot of garbage. With each new version of an item, the old one ends up in a landfill, dumped somewhere, or taking up useless space. Many of these items are nowhere near biodegradable or may be so beat up that no one would even want to take them as a charity, as in the case of much clothing. With a little re-purposing and creativity, Americans can be environmentally friendly even if they don't want to be called a 'tree-hugger'.
Glass - Never Buy Another Glass Again
Instead of throwing away jars (salsa, sauces, dips, etc), soak the labels off of them, wash them with your regular dishes and make them part of your glassware. Not only will you be a hero to the environment, but you will have a whimsical set of glasses. You will be surprised at how impressed guests are with your novelty. If you have a crafty side, etch the jars, or paint designs on them with similar motifs to give the appearance of a set.
Aside from always having drinking glasses, you have just gained storage containers. Keep lids to the wider mouthed jars – these can be used to store food (after all, food did come in them to begin with) leftovers, or bring to work. This way you are not exposing your body to the dangers of heating and storing in plastics and saving money by not having to buy storage containers.
Tires
Tires can be used for raised bed gardening and can be arranged in whatever design desired. Another use, for those that do not have a lot of garden space, is growing potatoes using the stacked tire method. You will certainly save money on potatoes and enjoy the benefits of eating them fresh whenever you want. Of course, tire businesses are happy to take them for a fee and have them recycled.
Plastic Bags
Most people are not aware of the damage that plastic bags are causing around the planet. The first part of this plan is to stop getting new plastic bags. What about the cabinets full of overflowing bags? A useful idea is to cut them into large strips and knit, crochet or macrame your own permanent shopping bags or purses even. Double the strips to make it extra sturdy, and these water-proof totes will last and last. Some stores give you a few cents off for using your own bags. You may even make some money selling your creations.
Clothes
Clothes can be taken apart and made into a totally new article. If you have even minimal sewing skills, a stained sleeve fiasco can be fixed by removing both sleeves and adding two sleeves from another shirt that may have a tear or stain in the body. You end up with someone uniquely you.
If you like to keep up with fashion, but can't keep up with the fashion budget, a few simple changes in your existing clothes can help you get into style. Add a slit, close a slit, cut the hem on a slant, add buttons or applique - the possiblities are endless.
Leftover strips or totally unwearable portions can be cut into strips and used for rug weaving or cut up to be used as a batting for hot pads in the kitchen. A kitchen can never have too many hot pads.
Quilting squares can also be collected. If you don't quilt, you can gather them and gift them to a quilter or sell. Quilters love pre-cut squares!
Cardboard Boxes
The obvious re-use would be to use the box to send something to someone else. However, if you ship a lot of packages, but you garden, use the cardboard boxes to cover your path between rows or beds. It makes a nice cushioned walkway for gardens with little rocks here and there and keeps the weeds from popping up.
Sturdy cardboard boxes turned upside down and covered with a cloth also make nice makeshift end tables for a guest to put their beverage on.
It should go without saying that a cat will always prefer a cardboard box to a $99.00 cat condo any day.
Sweaters/Knitted Items
Knitted items that have lost their shape or appeal can be un-knitted. Simply cut at one end and start unfurling while winding into a ball. The resultant yarn can be used to knit something else or can even be plied with another yarn to make a whole new yarn.
Old sweaters can also be cut up and sewn into hats and gloves and then felted – either by agitating by hand in hot soapy water or using the needle-felting technique. A sweater could be made into a felted vest, as well. And, to restate: A kitchen can never have too many hot pads!
Discover
There are numerous ways to save items from wreaking havoc on our environment, while still allowing them to serve some purpose. All it takes is a little creativity.
