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Recycling Little Things by Nikki Willhite How many things do we throw away that could be repurposed?  No matter how little the item, we save money when we repurpose or recycle.  Pennies turn into dimes, and dimes into dollars.  It all adds up. When we buy retail items, they are usually heavily packaged. How many of us think of other uses for those packaging materials? We live in a disposable society. My children laugh at me each year as I pick up and save all the bows after opening our Christmas presents.  Each year I am told that I can buy a whole new bag of bows for just a dollar. Each year I pick up the bows. Yes, they think I'm cheap.  I try and tell them that if you save on the small things, you can buy the big things. I've finally done a couple "big things" with money lately, and I think my message may finally be getting through. It is amazing how much more money you have when you are careful with small amounts of money. With that in mind, here are some repurposing or recycling ideas for little items found in households. Cleaning Bottles - Fill with your own homemade cleaning solutions.  - Use empty bleach bottles to store emergency water.   Cereal Boxes - Use the empty boxes, cut down in front, to store magazines - Save the boxes for Christmas and use for wrapping gifts. Clothing and Linens - Anything knitted that is no longer wearable can be unraveled and the yarn used for something   else. - Shoe boxes have always been repurposed. Lots of storage potential. - Cut down worn items and make smaller ones. For instance, sheets to pillowcases, and  towels   to wash rags. - Old blankets can be used in quilts. Sheets can be used as quilt backing. Clothespins - Clip bags of chips closed after they are opened. - Christmas craft projects. They are easy to pin on the tree. - Quilters use them to hang mini-quilts from hangers. - They also work to hang pants and skirts with wire hangers. Dryer Lint - Works as a fire starter Food Cans, Jars and other Food Containers - Use the tops of juice cans to make Christmas ornaments. Punch out a design, and glue  lace   around the edges.  Or cover with felt and attach a small picture. - Use cans to hold pencil, pens, scissors, craft tools, tooth brushes, etc. Replace when necessary   for wet items. - Make candle holders, or just store candles. - Use jars as canisters or for food gifts. - Use as plastic containers like Tupperware. - Use egg cartons to organize small items like buttons or jewelry. - Plastic soda can holders work as scarf holders. Junk Mail - Use as paper for notes. - Save pictures for craft projects such as decoupage. - Reuse envelopes by placing a label over the old information. - Keep your kids occupied punching the holes in bubble wrap.   Kleenex Boxes - Cut small rectangles, fold over,  and use for gift tags - Store plastic bags. Newspaper - Use  to wash windows - Do messy tasks on it in the kitchen and in the garage for quick disposal and clean up. Plastic Milk Cartoons - Store emergency water. - Cut down and store small items.  Use the tops as funnels. - Punch holes in them, fill with water, and place next to plants for drip irrigation. Plastic Bags - Use to line your trash cans. - Cover shoes when packing. - Picking up after dogs. - Covering items you don't want to get wet when outside. - Carrying wet items so you don't get wet. - Lunch Bags. - Dispose of dirty diapers.   Sewing - Use old machine needles as nails to hang small pictures. - Make an abacus or other toy from empty thread holders.   Styrofoam Plates - Cover and use as plates when dropping off goodies. - Use to hold paint for art projects. Tubes from items like Christmas papers, Paper Towels and TP - Long tubes make good swords for little kids. - Medium tubes hold plastic sacks and keep them compressed. - Medium tubes hold knitting needles if you seal one end. - Medium tubes keep extension cords compressed when stored. About the Author: Nikki Willhite, mother of 3 and an interior design graduate, has been writing and publishing articles on the topic of frugal living for over a decade. Visit her at www.frugalhappyfamilies.com - where you will find hundreds of frugal living tips and articles. Frugal Happy Families- more than just money!

 

 

 

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