Going Green-Simple Reusing Tips

[janet]

Reusing is part of going green..we all have simple everyday tips of things we do, and don't think about.

Here is a tip I learned from a friend.

Re-Using Kleenex Boxes

Reuse your old tissue boxes for trash containers in your car..the dispensing top, allows you to put trash in, and it stays in the box...it doesn't spill out!

How a simple tip!

Hugs, Janet

[janet]

I re-use my old LARGE calenders by making envelopes out of them...open up an old envelope and use it as a template. I have made gorgeous envelopes with winter scenes, wildflowers, lighthouses, etc.

Use your old medicine bottles to store nails, screws, tacks, in. It is so nice to have them separated and easy to find in your toolbox.

Old ice cube trays can be re-used to keep earrings in.

Old CD's can be used to decorate your teens bedroom ceiling. (shiny side out) It gives their room a disco look.

Line desk drawers with shallow boxes of different sizes to hold pens, pencils, paper clips, etc. I use the boxes stationary or cards come in.

Hugs, Janet

[leasmom]

I started reusing my coffee grinds and leftover tea for my compost pile. I am also gonna reuse the small coffee can to make one of those upside down tomato planters.

[barbszy]

I cut down boxes from tissues, cereal, or anything else to make drawer dividers for my kitchen drawers.

Papers that come home from the kids' schools with writing on only one side get put in a bin near the printer. The kids can use that for drawing, or any of us can load it into the printer to print draft copies of things.

[leasmom]

I was just thinking that I picked up several things lately freecycle that I'm reusing...I picked up some hay that was nearly deterioated that I'm using in my comost and freecycling the rest to other people who can use it for either their pets or garden. I picked up some rocks that someone had in a pile that was in their yard and they wanted gone. I got what I could and spread it near my stepping stones to keep weeds/grass down. I also picked up some plywood that I'm gonna use to section off my garden. I am also using the trim left in my garage to section off the garden too. I've also have some rocks that I'm going to transplant from the side of my house where there used to be a driveway but has been reclaimed by grass, and plant it around my outdoor firepit. I also planted some onions and garlic that went to 'seed' in my kitchen, so now I'm growing onions and garlic.

[HAPPY6]

I have a lot of houseplants. Whenever I start a new one or transplant one, I take the coffee filter and coffee that has already been brewed and put it at the bottom of my flower pot and then add my potting soil. Just a small way to help the environment and it's great for my plants too.

[janet]

Fantastic tips ladies!

Leasmom--way to go girl!!!You have alot of great projects going on! I love picking up rocks too! Good thing I live in a rock & sand area..hee hee.
Last season I used all our coffee grounds to sprinkle around my rose bushes..roses like this and my roses were the best last year!

Barbszy, great idea on using cereal boxes, etc for dividers..I have a vitamin drawer in my kitchen that needs dividers! Thanks for the tips!

Happy6..I am going to use your coffee ground& filter tip next time I repot plants!
A dandy idea!

I use the envelopes bills, and junk mail as they come in as scrap paper..you can write phone messages, grocery lists, or notes to hubby,
Bright, neon, day glow paper cannot be recycled, so dont use. We still have some left from HS..so I will use it to line drawers..wow it will be bright in those drawers! hee hee.
Always buy recycled paper..is there anything else???

When I go to our local coffee shop..I bring my own mug for coffee.
I was bashful at first, but now I feel comfortable. lol

And always pick up the free pens when there are home improvement events in your mall, or health fairs..that is one less pen you have to buy. lol

Brown grocery bags I take to Good Will..they use them for their customers.

Whenever I shop, I try to remember my cloth bags, but for short trips for milk, bread, or a few items, I always tell them no bags. I hate my gallon of milk in a bag. Don't you?

Hugs, Janet

[barbszy]

I'm with you on keeping milk jugs out of bags, Janet. First of all, they make the bag very heavy. Second, that's why there's a HANDLE on the jug! I just ask them to put a sticker on the cap. I bring my own "green" bags to the supermarket for shopping.

When I send one of the kids to the convenience store for bread, they always tell the cashier not to bother with a bag.

We recycle all kinds of paper here, so I reuse brown grocery bags to hold the recycled paper. I guess I will have to switch to boxes to keep it, once I run out of bags, since I'm not getting more at the store.

I also reuse brown bags to wrap parcels for mailing, and to make book covers for my kids' schoolbooks.

[leasmom]

I use a reuseable coffee filter, but that is a great tip Happy6. I know years ago I took paper bags and let then 3 yr old Lea, take some sponges and decorate it and I told her that if she left it out to dry, Santa's elves would put a gift into it-lol. Then one time in Colorado, I used newspaper comics as wrapping paper.

[janet]

leasmom, I use a one serving coffee machine, and I cut filters for I do not use pod coffee. I am hoping they come out with a reuseble filter for mine. I have tried to find the gold type screening, but haven't located a source yet. I like brewing one cup at a time..that is all I drink at a time..lol

Janet