Saving Your Planet
Reusing is an Art - How to Reuse Basic Essentials & More.
Reusing is simple, its easy - we've just got to learn how to do it!
Its time to embrace the world of reusing instead of disposing. We all love the satisfaction of buying new products, getting rid of the old and replacing it with the new. But there's a problem with that, and today we're going to combat it. The art of reusing is simple, its easy, we've just got to learn how to do it! When you reach the end of this article, be sure to be introduced to this new unknown and extremally important sustainable way of living and inspired to try out this new method.
Important information is highlighted to make this an easier read!
1)
Easy Renewables Living in Your Home
a. Paper
Paper is an excellent resource. It was made from wood - which is natural, recyclable and renewable, meaning the product is also biodegradable. It also has a far longer lifespan than many other alternatives.
So why not take the opportunity to reuse the paper around us? Newspapers, magazines, paper bags, notebooks to name just a few examples. Instead of throwing out those paper bags you always get in a shop, keep it and use it for storage, as a gift bag, or as wrapping paper. Or that notebook you never use, instead of throwing it out take out the paper and make envelopes out of it or fold and cut to make some diy sticky notes. Its all about thinking outside the box!
b. Plastic Bags
Here's your opportunity to use all those plastic bags lying around! They can be used to pick up pet waste and/or as trash bags! And when you get to the end of a cereal box, take out the plastic inside, wash it and dry it out and it is perfect to wrap sandwiches or lunch in the next day. Any plastic already in your home can be your replacement for cling film, why would you need any more? Create a little box in your storage cupboard to store your plastic bags instead of throwing out and you can always reach to it if you need a bin liner, emergency thrash bag, a wet bag to carry those wet swimming togs!, or to store paint brushes for later use. You'd be surprised how those bags can come in use.
c. Old and Worn Clothes/Bedding
Of course all new and clothes still in good condition can and should be passed on to other family members and friends, but what do you do with the old and worn-out clothes? Well, cut them up and make them into new cleaning cloths, or scrunch them up to make them a good cushion stuffing, cut jeans or tracksuit bottoms into shorts (even if they're just comfy ones to wear around the house) and keep the remaining fabric for a crafty member of the family! Otherwise, bring to a charity shop or torn clothing to a clothing bank to ensure they aren't disposed of. Same goes for bedding, use the material for something new suggested above.
d. Seeding
If you have your own vegetable garden or know someone who does, remind them of this tip! Let a couple of your vegetables or flowers to go to seed so they can be saved for next year. This way you will not have to repurchase seeds next year and will be conserving in the long run. Be sure to share some with family and friends!
e. Bathroom Products
We forgot how useful toothbrushes can be - they're not just perfect for cleaning your teeth but are also a valuable cleaning product (and good at getting in between those cracks!) They can also be used as eyebrow brushes, when applying hair dye, cleaning your nails or shoe soles and or for removing marks on the floor. Deodorant cans or skincare/makeup tubes/bottles can be used to put other creams or serums in if you want to separate it or give a tester to somebody, and toothpaste tubes are a perfect frosting tube for icing cakes!
2)
Easy Ways to Make 'Reusing' a Natural Practice
1) Products
When you're next shopping in Tiger, Sostrene Green or Mr Price, buy a couple of cheap reusable products. That means reusable straws for your kitchen instead of plastic ones, reusable water bottles for you and your family so you are not using up plastic and reusable coffee cups for whenever you are out buying a drink. You can even go to your local supermarket or grocery shop to pick these up, but these cheap and simple products are a logical step to reusing and saying goodbye to plastic.
2) Storage
If you have space in a cupboard at home, invest in 3-4 cheap reusable boxes whether it be from Tiger, a grocery store, Mr Price or even a carboard box reused! Each one can be allocated to a different item, for example plastics, newspapers, glass jars or bottles and paper shopping bags. That way whenever you need a bag to carry something you can reach to this box and you don't have to use up any one-time bags! Or if something spills you can use the newspaper to dry it or as a cover over the table if you have young kids who like painting, that way you wont be using up any more tissue. All these products are highly reusable and its important we try to give them as many possible lives before we throw them out.
3)
5 Products You Didn't Know Could Be Reused
a. Old Discs & CD's
Millions of discs end up in landfill and incinerators every year. So now is your chance to avoid that. DVD's and CD's are a credit to keeping pests away - by hanging discs around your garden on tree limbs or from the wall, you can steer birds away from your plants. Make ornaments by cutting and styling the DVD/CD forming beautiful glass ornaments for your home or Christmas tree! Otherwise, bring your CD/DVD's to The CD Recycling Centre which also accepts ink cartridges, mobile phones, holiday lights and other electronic devices.
b. Tea Bags
Most people wont know that tea bags are actually highly reusable. Here are some new experiments for you to try: Try a calming bath by adding used tea bags to the warm water for some relaxation and free skin therapy or enrich your soil with the contents of the tea bag by ripping it up and spilling over your plants to rejuvenate them. Tea bags can also be used to soothe cuts and minor burns by refrigerating them before placing over the cut or burn. The can also relieve puffy eyes if refrigerated and place over the eye. Otherwise, be sure to compost them if the methods above aren't suitable for you.
c. Wine Corks
Corks are actually great for the garden. They can be used as a plant marker to know where each plant is or can keep plants moist after blending and sprinkled over the soil. Make sure you don't use any rubber or plastic corks. They can also be used as a pin cushion when sewing as needles and pins can be placed in them.
d. Egg Cartons
Egg cartons are largely found in homes across Ireland and are disposed of every day. So why not try to reuse them from now on! Why not give them to little ones to use for arts and crafts or start a little seedling by adding soil to each compartment and planting a little seed. Or use it as a paint palette by using each hole for a separate colour. Otherwise, donate your egg cartons to local farmers or buy your eggs from local farmers and put them in the old egg carton.
e. Coffee Filters
Coffee filters can actually be used for more than one brew as long as the grinds are removed and dumped. But if you have a pair of dirty shoes, give them a rub with the coffee filter to make them shine again! To dispose of these, after they cannot be used again be sure to compost them.
So, now you know how to do it!
So now you know how to do it, its your turn! Start to implement this into your lifestyles to make it more environmentally - friendly and sustainable. From paper to plastic and garden to house, you can all play your part in saving your planet!