The common individual produces over 4 kilos of trash every day and round 1.5 tons of waste every year. In line with an estimate by the EPA, 75% of that waste is recyclable however we solely recycle about 30% of it.
That’s simply unhappy and scary, to assume that we’ve obtained all this waste that may be recycled and it’s simply being ignored.
Over the previous 10 or 12 years, we’ve been seeing a rising shift in the direction of recycling and environmental conservation.
Reusing/repurposing sure issues round your home is an efficient option to cut back the quantity of waste in your house and the atmosphere. With that mentioned, listed here are 57 issues to reuse to reduce waste.
1. Plastic Baggage
You may reuse plastic procuring baggage as trash bin liners (trash baggage), and to get rid of used kitty litter. You can even use them to wrap gadgets for transport.
Some locations can have particular applications for recycling plastic baggage, it’s good to know in case your shops have them.
2. Milk Cartons
Milk cartons can be utilized as planters for…nicely…crops – what else? You can even use them to make ice blocks. Fill the carton with water, freeze it, and voila! Ice!
3. Plastic Bottles
Plastic water/chilly drink bottles could be reused in a couple of other ways. Make planters on your backyard, flip them right into a piggy financial institution on your children, you should use them for arts and crafts tasks, and make a funnel on your automobile – for those who want one – for pouring gasoline out of your gasoline can into your automobile.
4. Empty Ice Cream Containers
Right here’s an apparent one, ice cream containers. These can be utilized for storage, in arts and crafts stuff with children, you’ll be able to gather meals scraps and low grounds on your compost heap and/or worm farm.
5. Empty Roll-On Deodorant Bottles
This can be a little bit of a bizarre one, nevertheless it’s too cool to not put it on the record. Take an empty roll-on deodorant bottle and clear it out completely. Fill it with paint, and also you’ve obtained a roll-on paint dispenser/bottle.
6. Previous Garments/Denims
In case you’re like me, you’ve most likely thrown out some garments through the years. You may reuse these outdated, ratty denims that don’t fit your needs correctly in a couple of methods.
In the event that they’re in fine condition, donate them to charities. If not, use them for patchwork stitching tasks and/or as cleansing rags.
7. Clear Plastic Lids
In case you have a bottle of shaving foam in your lavatory sink, it most likely has a metallic bottle. That metallic bottle can go away some ugly rust marks on the basin. How do you keep away from that? Stick a transparent plastic lid underneath the bottle, in fact!
8. Meals Scraps
Fairly apparent, proper? We have a tendency to offer our canines occasional meals scraps now and again as a deal with, however you can even use sure meals scraps to make compost – saving your self a sizeable chunk of cash within the course of – and backyard fertilizer.
One other use for meals scraps can be a worm farm. In case you have a worm farm, it can save you meals scraps (fruit, tea baggage, espresso grounds, and many others.) to feed to your worms.
9. Newspapers
We now have a fame as ‘Lodge Seebregts’ – all of the kooky animals in our neighborhood find yourself right here in some unspecified time in the future.
We’ve obtained 4 canines, 4 cats, and two African Gray parrots. In case you have or have had parrots at anytime, you realize that you simply use newspaper to line their cage flooring to make it comfy to stroll on and simple to wash.
One other use for newspapers, is as reward wrapping. I did this for a couple of years working at flea markets – wrapping fragile ornaments in newspaper to stop breakage.
10. Junk Mail
Relying on the kind of spam, you should use it for wrapping issues up (like with newspapers). If it is available in an envelope, reuse the envelope to ship your personal mail. You can even shred spam into mulch on your backyard.
11. Previous Hair Equipment
Use hair clips to carry your curtains open and hair ties to safe branches and/or stems within the backyard. In case you have a trellis and you want to preserve a plant upright, use an outdated hair tie to maintain it in place.
12. Previous, Unused Keys
We’ve all obtained drawers in our homes filled with random odds and ends – what Michael McIntyre calls a ‘man drawer’ – proper? It’s a draw that’s filled with junk that we expect we’ll want however that we by no means truly use.
Amongst all that junk, we’ve obtained unused keys to issues we most likely don’t personal anymore. Effectively, you’ll be able to take these outdated keys and make some attention-grabbing jewellery and/or arts and crafts tasks.
13. Aluminum Foil
Use aluminum foil to replicate daylight to get extra mild in your crops in shady spots. Create water-tight packages for seeds. You can even seal leftovers for freezing and line pans for baking.
14. Unneeded CDs, DVDs, or Videotapes
Use unneeded/undesirable CDs and DVDs to maintain the pests out of your backyard. Merely dangle them from tree branches and the daylight and wind will do the remaining; combining motion with the reflection of the solar off the shiny aspect of the disk.
Tape from VHS tapes can be utilized to safe stems and branches in your backyard.
15. Previous Cell Telephones
We reside in an ever-changing world of know-how. Yearly new telephones, laptops, and tablets are launched which render the earlier ones out of date.
Except you retain the cellphone as a backup, it finally ends up on the native landfill – including to the environmental air pollution.
You may, assuming you don’t wish to preserve the outdated cellphone as a spare, reward it to somebody who wants a cellphone (simply just remember to’ve cleared any and all private stuff off of it first).
It’s most likely additionally a good suggestion to get in contact with the producer and discover out if they’ve a re-purchase program – the place they purchase the outdated cellphone again from you once you get a brand new one.
16. Previous Wine Corks
Previous corks are very helpful and permit for some inventive crafting concepts. Every thing from toothpick holders to desk ornaments to magnets, the probabilities are there to be explored.
In case you’re not the artful sort, you’ll be able to promote them to crafters who use them of their tasks.
17. Moist Wipe Containers
In case you’ve obtained a couple of empty moist wipe containers mendacity round, why not flip them into DIY dispensers for string, ribbons, one thing else arty?
18. Previous Jars
There are quite a few recycling applications that use glass jars, I do know my aunt makes use of them in class tasks along with her college students.
If you wish to get rid of bacon grease or outdated cooking oil with out making an enormous mess, put it into an outdated jar and toss the jar within the trash.
You can even use outdated jars for storage functions to maintain all of your little odds and ends in a single place (instruments, sweets).
19. Jar and Bottle Lids
We’ve all had furnishings which leaves unpleasant divots in our carpets, proper? Effectively, sticking a bottle lid (assuming it’s large enough) underneath the toes of the furnishings may also help keep away from that downside.
20. Tree Branches
Tree branches are nice for inventive artwork tasks (i.e. DIY furnishings, carpentry, and many others.) and aren’t troublesome to seek out.
Make just a little DIY Christmas tree by sticking a couple of branches in a vase and keep away from the trouble of unpacking/repacking a Christmas tree yearly.
21. Printer Cartridges
That is nice contemplating how briskly printer fashions come into and exit of manufacturing. Many producers have a recycling program the place you’ll be able to ship outdated cartridges in for recycling as a result of clearly, not all printers will take the identical cartridges and for those who can’t use them, why preserve them mendacity round the home/workplace?
22. Books
Books are an enormous factor in our home, my complete household is filled with bookworms. In case you have many onerous copies mendacity round and also you wish to do away with them; you’ll be able to donate them to hospice/charities, and/or promote them at flea markets – which we did a couple of occasions.
23. Paint Water
In case you do quite a lot of portray, or you’ve gotten children who like to color, take the water and chuck it in your crops.
Now, I ought to level out that this might probably rely on the paints you employ – it shouldn’t be a difficulty with watercolors however acrylic/oil paints would possibly pose an issue as there’s every kind of stuff in them which might harm your crops.
24. Previous Tyres
Previous tyres have a wealth of inventive makes use of. You can also make tyre swings, obstacles for impediment programs, and even use them for weights coaching (in the event that they’re large enough).
I’ve even seen guys make martial arts tools out of those which, if you realize something about martial arts courses, can prevent a reasonably penny or two. Verify this out:
There’s additionally a person in Lagos, who makes use of outdated tyres in artwork tasks; how cool is that?
25. Empty Lip Balm Containers
The climate right here in South Africa is beginning to calm down, and the winter climate brings a number of its personal issues – together with chapped lips (ouch).
This makes lip balm a standard buy however what about when these containers are empty?
Effectively, you’ll be able to put a little bit of moisturizer, or no matter cosmetics you need/want into them and make them helpful once more!
26. Previous Pictures, Paper Scraps
Previous pictures and paper scraps can be utilized to make inventive birthday playing cards.
27. Previous Paper
You should utilize outdated paper sheets to take in leaks on the backside of your trash can. Why not do some origami (crafts product of folded paper) to maintain your self busy?
28. Cardboard Containers
Cardboard containers can be utilized for storage and transport. You can even use cardboard to make arts and crafts tasks and toys.
29. Bread Ties
In case you have quite a lot of electronics, then you definately most likely have cables galore they usually’re probably going in every single place?
They get twisted up and it’s a nightmare to repair them, so how do you get round this downside?
It’s fairly easy: take the ties from a bread bag and thread the cables by them.
This helps to maintain every thing organized and neat and avoids the mess of tangled cables round your desk.
30. Egg Cartons
Egg cartons are a preferred selection for arts and crafts tasks and make nice planters for seedlings in your backyard. I’ve additionally seen some guys use egg cartons for makeshift soundproofing for YouTube/reside streaming content material.
31. Paper Plates and Cups
Paper cups can be utilized for storage and for water for portray, and paper plates can be utilized to make enjoyable masks for teenagers. You can also make stencils for arts and crafts with them.
32. Empty Contact Lens Circumstances
Very similar to the lip balm containers, you’ll be able to wash out outdated contact lens circumstances and retailer small quantities of cosmetics for handy journey – that approach you don’t have a ridiculous variety of bottles taking on house in your baggage.
33. Crayons and Coloured Pencils
Make DIY image frames utilizing outdated, damaged crayons and coloured pencils. One other cool use for outdated crayons is candle making. You may soften down the outdated wax crayons and make candles out of them.
34. Common Pens and Pencils
Sadly, common pens and pencils don’t at all times make the recyclables record BUT you should use them to make attention-grabbing Christmas decorations and toys, you can even make frames with them (like with the crayons). In case you have extra pens and pencils, donate them to colleges.
35. Toothbrushes and Toothpaste Tubes
You may reuse outdated toothbrushes to clean these hard-to-reach nooks and crannies in the home.
You can even use them to use hair dye and brush your eyebrows and clear instruments. Toothpaste tubes can be utilized as frosting piping tubes, you can also make funnels out of them.
36. Previous Razors
I’m fairly certain we’ve all obtained a couple of disposable razors mendacity round, and I’m additionally fairly certain that quite a lot of us simply reuse them when we have to shave.
With that in thoughts, how do you forestall rust? In spite of everything, utilizing a rusty blade is NEVER a good suggestion.
Effectively, for starters be sure you put the plastic cap over the blade once more once you’re completed. You can even apply a little bit of child oil to the blade.
37. Aluminum Cans
Aluminum soda cans make nice pencil holders/stationery organizers, they usually’re versatile sufficient to make attention-grabbing artwork tasks.
38. Yogurt Containers
I really feel like we’ve talked about this a couple of occasions, however yogurt containers are good storage choices, you can even make respectable makeshift pots for crops.
39. Plastic/Glass Bottles
Aside from the plain use – ingesting – bottles can be utilized a couple of methods. You can also make stationery organizers and funnels from plastic ones – at all times helpful – and you can also make wind chimes from glass ones.
40. Shoe Containers
One phrase: storage. Shoe containers make glorious storage choices for all of the requirements that you simply don’t have house for in your cabinets or in your cabinets.
41. Shredded Paper
Shredded paper doesn’t appear usable, however you can also make it into mulch on your backyard, for those who’re so inclined.
42. Empty Meals Cans
Aside from the plain makes use of for empty meals cans (i.e. storage), you can also make a couple of attention-grabbing toys – does anybody bear in mind making telephones? You can even make billy cans for cooking small meals over a campfire.
43. Scrap Wooden
In case you’ve obtained sheets or items of scrap pine/plywood, you should use that for quite a lot of DIY tasks. You can also make furnishings, organizers, toys, and spice racks amongst different issues.
44. Espresso Pods
Personally, I gravitate in the direction of immediate espresso as a result of it’s immediate – I don’t have to attend for the machine to ding and inform me the espresso’s prepared.
With that mentioned, for those who want brewed espresso over immediate espresso and you’ve got a type of pod machines, you’ll be able to break down the pods into their major parts (aluminum, plastic, paper, and low grounds) and recycle them.
45. Espresso Grounds
Espresso grounds are nice on your compost heap, I’ve additionally seen them use them as air fresheners.
46. Previous Athletics Sneakers
There are a couple of corporations which have recycling applications for outdated footwear which is incredible, but when your footwear are in fine condition they usually don’t match anymore you can even donate them to charities.
47. Previous Electronics
Previous electronics can’t be recycled with every thing else; they should be recycled individually.
Take them to recycling facilities which are outfitted to cope with them the place they are often damaged down and all the fine details put to new makes use of.
48. Batteries
Rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries are recyclable. Relying on the place you’re, there could also be a mail-in program, a battery drop-off level, or a particular recycling heart that works with batteries.
49. Previous Vacation Decorations
Cleansing up after the vacation season generally is a actual mess. In case you have quite a lot of broken decorations and lights it solely provides to the confusion. With that in thoughts, take these outdated, broken decorations to be recycled.
50. Inhalers
This can rely on the place you’re as not all pharmacies can have a recycling program for inhalers. In the event that they do, the inhalers shall be damaged down into plastic and aluminum and despatched off to be recycled.
51. Cosmetics
No, not the merchandise – the containers. Tubs and tubes could be recycled and reused with out a lot issue, and a few corporations can have a recycling program in place to help within the course of.
52. Mattresses
Sure corporations will recycle mattresses for scrap metallic (springs), foam, or fibers/materials.
53. Bras
Sure, you’ll be able to reuse bras – fairly apparent, proper? Effectively, what if the bras don’t match anymore? Effectively, then you definately ship it off to be redistributed to somebody who wants it.
54. Eyeglasses
This one is smart, nevertheless it additionally type of doesn’t; let me clarify. The concept is that you simply donate outdated pairs of glasses to individuals who want them; that’s nice!
The place it will get a bit complicated is that sun shades could be non-prescription (once more, that is nice) however prescription lenses are additionally donated.
So, what’s the issue? Effectively, I used to be at all times advised to not fiddle with different folks’s prescription lenses as a result of they’d harm my eyes.
No two prescriptions would be the identical, so there’s no assure that your outdated prescription spectacles will work.
Nonetheless, it’s a good suggestion and there are particular applications for recycling eyeglasses so it’s not unimaginable.
55. Listening to Aids
Okay, a lot just like the eyeglasses, there are particular applications obtainable for recycling/repurposing listening to aids to be despatched out to individuals who want them.
56. Previous Greetings Playing cards
This can be a cool one which I needed to embody as a result of it really works in the direction of an incredible trigger. The St. Jude’s Ranch for Youngsters has a program the place they recycle outdated greetings playing cards to make and promote new ones.
The gross sales of those new playing cards assist to fund applications for abused, homeless, and uncared for youngsters – see why I needed to embody it?
57. Backpacks
I grew up on climbing trails and any hiker will inform you, your pack is certainly one of your greatest buddies.
Sure corporations just like the American Birding Affiliation gather backpacks and different gear to be redistributed to researchers and conservationists who’re working to protect/defend wildlife.
We solely have ONE Planet!
The quantity of recyclable waste that we’re simply ignoring is scary. We solely have one planet on which to reside and if the atmosphere is gone then so are we!
As irritating as recycling could be, we have to on the very least put within the effort to maintain the environment wholesome. Each little bit helps, proper?
I hope you guys and gals loved the article and located it informative. Possibly it gave you a couple of concepts on issues to reuse.
As at all times, thanks for studying and I’ll see you within the subsequent one. Till then, take care!
