Part III - Reuse

According to care2.com, "Reuse in the broadest sense means any activity that lengthens the life of an item."

Absolutely probably my favorite topic. Not only for the environmental impact, but the immediate impact on our wallet. Just think if you NEVER had to buy these things again. Add it up, I dare you....how much $ could you really save??? The below are things we have put into use at our home.

Instead of this .............................................Try this!

• Paper towels............................ Microfiber towels, cut up old t-shirts
• Dryer sheets............................ Wool Dryer balls fromhere. Add drops of EO for smell
• Zip lock bags............................. Reusable Snack sacks
• soda/water bottles .....................A Nalgene/Sigg type bottle
• Tissues...................................... Handkerchiefs
• Plastic grocery bags....................Reusable grocery bags (BYOBag)
• straws ........................................ reusable straws from here
• Produce bags ............................. BYOB from here
• Brown paper lunch bag............... a cool lunch box, or insulated sack
• Styrofoam coffee cups ............... BYOTM (travel mug) to coffee shops -some even offer a discount
• alkaline batteries...................... rechargeable batteries
• disposable diapers.....................cloth diapers
• disposable wipes.......................cloth wipes
• cotton balls...............................squares of cotton
• 
  

Some tips on the above:

• keep a basket of clean "paper towels" on the top of your fridge or reachable place, and have another basket for dirty ones
• Add essential oils to your wool dryer balls for a gorgeous scent (dryer sheets leave a layer of film/chemicals on your clothes - wool absorbs the static)
  
• check out freecycle.org to pass along your junk - it may be someone else's treasures.
• Try Craig's List for great deals on items your looking for.
  

Also, here are some things you can just plain old reuse:

• gift bags/wrapping paper
• bubble mailers - just cross out old info
  
• envelopes you receive from bills in the mail - keep them to use for other things
• spaghetti jars/baby food jars
• ends of candle pieces - melt and remold into new candles - fill a metal can with wax pieces and place in a sauce pan of hot water. Heat on low until completely melted. Pour into a votive holder and add a wick.
  
• Milk jugs - turn them into an igloo like this

One of my favorite new books is Handmade Home by Amanda Blake Soule. This book contains instructions on how to repurpose (reuse!!) lots of old things into new and exciting household items. I'm working on a rag rug. Her blog is also fantastic!



These are just a few tips to get you on your way for some reuse in your home. What are some things you do? Leave me a comment - I'd love to know!