Reuse, the Second of the Three Rs

We all know them, the three "R"s of green living: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. All three are important components to make it work. This article explores the second, Reuse.

In the last article, we explored ways to reduce consumption. What about reusing personal household items to lower our carbon footprint? Luckily, much of our personal property does get re-used, but what about things we are ready to get rid of? Are there creative ways to reuse everything we own? Let's explore further.

1. Magazines. You've read your last issue of Organic Gardening from front to back. What should you do with it now? Use the pages as wrapping paper, or cut out pictures and words for decorative framed collages. (See photo at right.)
2. Aluminum foil. One roll can go a long way. Wipe and reuse over again, several times.
3. Baby wipe containers. Use them as storage boxes for batteries, pencils, pens, cords, etc.
4. Plastic sandwich bags. These can also be used several times in your child's lunchbox.
5. Old clothing. Cut it up to use as rags for cleaning. If the clothing is made of silk or another fancy type of fabric, use it as a wrap for a special gift.
6. CD cases. Use these as frames or coasters. Put several together to create a decorative wall hanging. Use suggestion #1, cutting out favorite quotes and pictures from magazines to decorate.
7. Shoe strings. Use these as plant ties.
8. Bricks. Create a decorative walk or pathway. Build a firepit if you have enough.
9. Shower curtain. Use it in the trunk of you car to protect the surface if you're transporting something that may leak.
10. Toothbrushes. So handy for scrubbing hard to reach areas in the home.
11. Egg cartons. Most of these cannot be recycled, so use them to sprout seeds.
12. Garden hose. Cut holes into your old garden hose to use as a soaker hose.
13. Frames. Use them in the kitchen while cooking to protect from splattering on that favorite recipe.
14. End table. Have an old end table you no longer want? Repurpose it by placing a frame on top as the new surface. In the frame, place cut outs of words and pictures that are inspirational to you.

These are just a few ideas to get you thinking. The sky is the limit.

For even more creative ideas, see this article from This Old House. Interested in reusing your gently used and valuable items as gifts for loved ones? Here are some other ideas.

This is the second article in a series three. Subscribe to receive all via email.