Reusing the Waste

I finished up the series on reducing the waste, now it is time that we started talking about what we can do with the waste we still have. We have cut back on the waste, but there is still some that we use. Milk no longer comes in glass bottles that we return, get sanitized and then filled again and sent back. They now come in plastic jugs. Most of us do not can or freeze things on our own, we purchase things pre-packaged. This includes waste. So what can we do with the waste so that it can be used again? After we get this down, then we can discuss recycling what we cannot re-use.

Crafting is huge. There are so many projects out there about crafting with leftover materials. I keep a jar full of buttons from damaged clothing. Another one for beads that are no longer used. When I go to Saturday Market, or the Farmers Market, I always check out the crafts that people are selling. If they do not mind, I get pictures and will post about them here. I have a couple that I plan on sharing in the next issue in this series.

I use ripped clothes for rags. Larger tubs can be used to hold paints, the aformentioned buttons and bead. They can even be used for leftovers and other storage. You can use kitty litter bucket or paint buckets for a lot of household and garden related tasks. More about household uses in a later issue.

If I am no longer using something that is still usable, I donate it and let someone else get use out of it. Donating not only gets it out of your house, it keeps it out of the dump, a needy organization gets money from the sale of it, or a needy person gets to use it, and you get a tax deduction. More on donating and some organizations you can donate to in the last issue of this mini-series.

Fell free to leave comments with other reusability ideas you have. Comments are welcome and encouraged. Scroll to the bottom of the page to leave one. If you are a blogger or web site owner, this will also allow you to leave a link to your own site.