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10/1/11 9:04 P

I agree. We have a tendency to 'collect' things. Especially in this country. I think a lot of it stems from the depression era. It's not practical for us to think that much of this stuff is going to have any real value in the long run. Thanks for adding REFUSE to the list.

current weight: 214.0

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10/1/11 2:06 P

That is a great point! Just because it's free is not a reason to take something. It's nice to hear things like that. Thank you for sharing!
I think that there are still a fair amount of people out there who do not realize that they are paying for packaging on most items.
I love figuring out how to repurpose things.

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9/29/11 11:47 A

The biggest one people forget is REFUSE...refuse to buy unnecessary items that will end up in landfills, refuse to buy items with excess and/or non-recyclable packaging. Refuse to take anything or buy anything you don't need or can't find a way to reuse.

I was tabling at an environmental event on Tuesday, and giving away free reusable totes to people who signed up. One woman signed up, and refused the tote. She said that she already had a lot, and that it would just go to waste...through being unused, when someone else could use it! It was inspiring to hear!!

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9/26/11 2:06 A

I have been sharing my old clothes that I have shrunk out of with friends that are also downsizing just behind me. Problem is I have to keep updating my wardrobe too and no one is downsizing just ahead of me. That is when I go to thrift shops. Gotta stock up on the next size down in jeans soon.

current weight: 214.0

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Posts: 1,090
9/25/11 9:17 P

I'm fortunate in that the area that I live in has a recycle drop off, so I am sure to check all package to be sure I can indeed recycle it.

I've had clothing swaps with my friends in the past, where we each bring items to someone's house and litteraly swap clothes. It saves us all money, and it's a great way to get together.

Egg cartons are generally wanted by the local school for the art classes.

My sister and I car pool whenever possible.

Reusable bottle for my water.

Posts: 916
9/16/11 3:17 P

I compost and use the compost in the spring as a fertilizer in my many flower beds and the garden.

My place of work does not recycle... SO... I brought a bin in the main office building and take it home every two weeks. My office building was a previous crisis home where clients would stay before they went home (kind of a half way house for inpatient mental health care). When the building was closed the furniture stayed. We donated all of the bedroom furniture (13 bedrooms) to families in the area. I started a donation "closet" which is a room full of clothing, donated tolietries, and furniture for families served. In addition to finding many other great items, I found laundry baskets that were previously used for their normal purposes. I use these in this office now as recycling bins also.

Dog hair can be used in your garden to keep animals out.

Mason jars to hold cotton balls or q-tips- much more of a visual pleaser than a box

Old shoe boxes to store christmas decorations.

A bucket can be painted and used as a planter

Old shoes can be donated to different non profits to be send to other countries who do not have the money for shoes

A plate can be used under an indoor plant to catch extra water

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8/22/11 6:49 P

That is so cool that you can dye your wool coat. Good for you. I have replaced cushions and apatched things up too. In fact, I love to renew things that are perfectly functional.

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8/22/11 4:27 P

I'm an ecofriendly cheapskate, though I'm not sure which came first. One of my favorite tips is a bit of advise I read about when it comes time to replace something. Most of the time when we think we need to replace something - a washing machine, a table, a stained chair, clothes, whatever - we actually DON'T need to replace it.

Clean it, paint it, dye it, tailor it, fix it... you'd be amazed how long these things can last.

Almost all of my pants have been tailored. When my dining room chairs got stained, I removed the seats and simply stapled a pretty new fabric right over the top of the stained fabric and screwed them back on (no one can tell they didn't come that way - redneck reupholstering at its best). Furniture can be patched and restained, glass can be replaced, etc. Even your computer can be upgraded instead of junked. I have a nice cream colored wool coat with some spots that won't come out - I think I'll have a nice gray wool coat when the weather turns again, or maybe red.

Save money and the world.

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8/20/11 12:27 A

Even the little steps we make can have an impact. We all have this little phrase embedded in our minds, but what do we do? and is there more to being eco- friendly than that? Go ahead and post some ideas that help us to think about stuff that others may not know. Consider this a tips thread.

current weight: 214.0

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