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Recycling Heads Up!A friend left a large gift box with a top and bottom and I reinforced it inside with cardboard cut to fit the sides, on both boxes.I stapled the cardboard at top and bottom to strengthen. Now I use it to fold and store bedding. That's the beginning of the story.

 

A group of people cleaning up litter on the side of a road.

Recycling Plastic BottlesPlease recycle plastic bottles. There is a big demand for them in the recycling industry. The recycling industry has created many jobs as well as saving the life of our landfills. Recycling also saves valuable resources from which plastic bottles are made.

 

Reuse Waste Water from Water Filter - water collected in cooler

Reuse Waste Water from Water FilterWe installed our reverse osmosis water filter ourselves and instead of having the waste water drain down into the sink and be a complete waste, we route the outlet waste pipe into a bucket/cooler to collect the waste water.

 

A netted vegetable bag and some scissors

Reusing Netted Vegetable BagsI always save my net vegetable bags and use them for a variety of things, like a safe dish, bathroom or even body scrubber. Or a kitty toy. For some reason, kitty loves to play with them!

 

Recycling Dryer Lint - TP tube filled with dryer lint

Recycling Dryer LintEven dryer lint can be recycled. I recycle it in 3 different ways.

 

A waxed paper liner from a cereal box.

Save Waxed Paper Liners from BoxesThe waxed paper liners from cereal and cracker boxes have so many uses. The paper is very good quality. After you finish your box of cereal, take out the liner, and open it up so it can lie flat. It's best to do this over the sink to catch any crumbs. Wipe down with a sponge and allow to dry before using. Make sure you recycle the box, too!

 

paper stuffed envelope

Use Envelopes for Recycling PaperRecycling is really easy since everything is commingled together into one container at the convenient site. However, I don't put loose paper in the recycling bin.

 

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A Different Perspective about RecyclingI was told to remove labels and wash out the can before smashing it and putting it in the recycle bin. I did that for quite awhile until my cousin asked me which was more valuable, the water to wash the can, or the tin recycled.

 

Bathroom Recycle Bin

Bathroom Recycle BinIn an effort to recycle even more at our house, I put a small recycling bin in our bathroom. Now we can easily recycle the tp tubes, paper tp wrappers, and any little cardboard packages that end up in the bathroom. It seems that if its easy people are more willing to recycle it. :)

 

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Donate Your Plastic BagsTake the excess clean, whole grocery bags to your local food pantry or farmstand. Please do not take ones that are wet, smelly, or dirty.

 

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Donate Motors and Small Appliances to 4HBefore you toss a nonworking small engine motor or a nonworking small appliance, call your local county extension office. Ask them to check and see if any 4H clubs would like it for their kids who are enrolled in the small engine project.

 

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Best Way To Sell Aluminum TabsThe proper way to store pull tabs is in zip locks, or boxes if your into larger amounts. I have sold over 40 million of them to support my 3 charities.

 

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Good Uses for Old Phone BooksAfter getting so many phone books delivered to my home that I don't really need, I started to put the pages to some use. Here are some of the ways I use them:

 

Preserving Wild Flowers

No-Wilt WildflowersI always save the water spikes left over from florist arrangements. Whenever I go on a nature hike, I take a bunch along in my pack. I can get my wildflowers and other finds home without worrying about them wilting.

 

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Recyclebank Curbside Recycling ProgramI recently signed up for the curbside recycling program here. It's through Waste Management Systems. They pick up garbage nationwide. The recycle program is called Recyclebank. There are rewards for recycling.

 

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Recycling TVsTV repair shops will receive old TVs for recycling and reusing. Perhaps you've seen those businesses highlighted on TV shows, who hire workers to take the televisions apart piece by piece.

 

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Recycle Junk MailI recycle everything! My husband and I use the cloth bags that we use every week to get our groceries. I keep one next to my office desk, my living room chair, and the kitchen pantry, in order to toss things in after they are read.

 

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Dispose Of Used Paint At Local DumpHere in Georgia at our county dump, there is a bin marked for used paint disposal.

 

Container of batteries with label "Dead Batteries"

Proper Disposal of Unwanted ThingsSometimes it is hard to know how to dispose of broken household items. It is best to try and find an alternative to the landfill if at all possible, especially since some things such as electronics and batteries pollute if not properly recycled.

 

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Use a Mesh Onion Bag as a ScrubberPlastic mesh bags made from the smaller stiffer mesh can be rolled up and used as a cleaning scratcher, then thrown in the dish washer to cleanup for the next use.

 

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Link: Safe CFL Light Bulb DisposalIt's really important to know that CFL bulbs have enough of an amount of mercury contained in them that they can cause very serious health and environmental problems, especially collectively.

 

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Recycle Expired Credit Cards as Dish ScraperI found that expired gift cards or any credit card no longer used is excellent for cleaning dishes in your kitchen. It kinda molds to the dish, pot, or pan you are cleaning and scrapes all the gunk off.

 

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Remember FreecycleI am a major devotee of Freecycle. In the last month I have given away household linens, food, and books, and have been given stickers for a pots and pans promo at Albertson's, etc.

 

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Recycle Your Old Cell Phones And ComputersMany places take old phones and computer parts. Old phones are used to allow battered women to call 911 in the event of an emergency. The old batteries in them are recycled and disposed of properly.

 

Reusing Candle Jars for Spices

Reuse Small Candle Jars For Food StorageI was looking for spice jars in a popular department store the other day and could not find individual jars. While going down the candle aisle, it dawned on me that the smallest candle jars would be the perfect size for spice jars.

 

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Donate Blankets to Vets or Animal SheltersYou may be thinking about spring cleaning, and tossing towels and sheets that have seen better days. Take them to your local shelter. The staff and animals will be so grateful to have towels for after baths.

 

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Check On Your Area's Recycling PoliciesIf you recycle, you may want to phone your city or municipality to ensure they will accept blue bags with recycling. They picked up blue bags at my previous home. In my current city, however, I've discovered I've been wasting my money on blue recycling bags.

 

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Print On The Back Side Of PaperInstead of throwing away copy paper that has been run through the printer or copier, I have started to save them. Place the used paper in a file folder or appropriate sized box to keep the corners flat and paper unwrinkled.

 

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Link: Send Crayons To Be RecycledAre there crayons in your house that are unpopular colours? Put them in a small box and send them to the recycling program run by Crazy Crayons, where your castoffs will be melted down and turned into a new generation of crayons.

 

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More Room in Your Recycling BinMake more room in your recycling bin! Step on your 2 litre plastic bottles to remove most of the air and then put the cap back on the bottle.

 

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Paper Bag for Small RecyclingI use paper grocery bags for my recycling, I put them in the corner in my kitchen and they collect paper, newspaper, cans, and plastics. When the bag is full I just throw it out into my large recycling container in the garage and open a new bag in the kitchen!

 

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Help Organizations Start A Recycling ProgramCompared to others, I am new to recycling or green living. I learn more each day. Many people say they don't have time to recycle. Help them get started.

 

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Sort Recycling Directly Into ContainersIt was always such a bother to sort garbage to recycle, that I did not do it. Now I live in a rural area and pay to have my garbage picked up, so decided that I would recycle.

 

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Check Freecycle Before You BuyI am dismayed that not everyone seems to be aware that there is an option for getting used appliances and other stuff for free by checking for a FreeCycle group in your area.

 

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All Kids Recyclable BandMy neighbor and my self started a "All Kids Recyclable Band" last year. These kids have played for the mayor of St. Catharines. They have also played at schools, churches, and parades.

 

Coffee can clothespin holder

Coffee Container Bird Feeder and Clothes Pin...Here are two tips for the less handy among us, a bird feeder and clothes pin holder made from coffee containers.

 

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If You Can't Recycle It, Freecycle ItI am very dedicated to recycling everything that I possibly can. It is now just my husband and myself, however, we have two extra large recycling bins and one small bin.

 

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Put Your Shredded Documents in a Paper BagI try to shred my junk mail and papers that have any ID information. I was putting the shredding into a Walmart bag, but that is not very green for the land fill, so now I put it into paper bags and staple the top.

 

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Collect Aluminum Cans When WalkingWhen I am out walking, which I do several mornings a week, I pick up any aluminum cans I see. We live in a nice neighborhood and it amazes me the amount of aluminum cans thrown out of cars as litter.

 

Recycled boxes for uses in crafting.

Save Boxes and Cans for Craft TimeStart a new habit. Rinse cans and flatten boxes for a week and put aside until you have "craft time".

 

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Recycling Old Stained ClothingDon't throw away those old clothes with stains! Donate them to a charity. They sell them off as rags by the pound and it all gets recycled eventually!

 

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Save Room In Your Trash Bin By RecyclingI use one trash bag per week since I started recycling. I have cheap dollar store barrels to collect flattened boxes and cardboard, plastic bottles, glass, etc. I put it all into one barrel in my laundry room all week, then separate it on trash day.

 

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Compost Dryer LintSince dryer lint is mostly organic material, it is great for the compost pile.

 

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Pool Your Aluminum RecyclingI have recycled cans and bottles for years - but lack of space has made it harder and harder to collect enough to make it worth a trip. But throwing the stuff out made me so guilty!

 

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Donate Shredded Paper To Animal SheltersWe have a local pet shelter here that likes the community to donate shredded paper for the animals. They have may uses for the shredded papers. I have a large paper shredder which I use to get rid of junk mail and anything else I don't want to go into the trash whole.

 

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Switch To Using Aluminum CansCurrently I get 57 cents a pound for aluminum cans. I am not only reducing waste by switching from plastic bottles to cans, but also earning some money. I have made 5 dollars in less than a month as a single person.

 

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Reuse Old Carpet and Area RugsOld carpet and rugs that are still in decent condition make a nice addition to a porch, laundry room, or even in the garage in front of a tool bench. If you can't use it, maybe you know someone who can.

 

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Recycle Junk Mail ImmediatelyTake all junk mail directly to the recycle bin. Saves you time and mess. Also put any catalogs or magazines which you no longer want in the recycle bin as well.

 

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Recycle Used Motor OilUsed motor oil is recyclable. If you change your own motor oil, pour it from pan into an empty windsheild wiper fluid bottle (with screw top) when you are done.

 

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Recycling a Toaster Oven and Grilled Pizza TipsWhen my toaster convection oven broke, instead of throwing the whole thing out, I took a long look at it to see what might be salvaged and put to good use.

 

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Save Money By RecyclingCall your nearest garbage drop off to save money! I know some states pay for garbage through taxes, but for those of you who pay by bag, call the garbage facility in your area and ask about recycling.

 

Frozen juice can and lid.

Uses for Frozen Juice Concentrate LidsHate to throw out the metal disks that come from the ends of frozen juice concentrate "tubes"? They're such a nice heavy-duty metal with no sharp edges. Here are some recycling ideas from our creative ThriftyFun community.

 

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Give Leftover Paint to Theatre GroupsIf you have leftover paint of any quantity or type, contact your local community theater group or high school drama department and see if they can use it.

 

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Use City Recycling Programs For PaintCall your City Hall to see if they recycle paint. Some cities are giving away(for FREE) 50-55 gallon drums of recycled paint to people that use it to paint their homes.

 

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Reusing Ice Cream ContainersFor bag handles, I cut out handles out of ice cream lids, then I wind ribbon, fabric strip, or even string around handles for a individual look.

 

A detergent box that has been converted into a file box.

Make a File Box from a Detergent BoxI transformed a family size Tide detergent box into a file box. I attached teabag envelopes to the outside to indicate the contents of the box. I put ribbons through the handle.

 

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Gift Bags and Extra GiftsI keep gift bags from all of the holiday parties, etc. and reuse them. I also keep gifts that I don't really like and recycle them, other people like things that I don't!

 

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Using Mail in Cards from MagazinesThe first thing I do upon receiving my AARP magazine is tear out those pesky mail-in reply cards that make the magazine difficult to handle, but before pitching them, I check for blanks. Since I do not regularly stock postcards, these are a handy substitute for business-related needs.

 

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Using Expired Coupons for Note PaperInstead of buying pads of note papers, to use in your office or in a cute basket by the phone, in your kitchen, or in other areas of your home, where phones are, use the blank backs of non-used expired manufacturer's coupons.

 

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Laundry Soap Caps for Bath Tub ToysExtra laundry soap measuring cups make great bath tub toys. So do the plastic lids off of bottles of things like Wisk. When they get gunky throw them out...

 

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Laundry Soap Caps for Cookie CuttersThe lids from the Wisk bottles make the best cookie cutters for kid playdough-just right for little hands...

 

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Using Found "Pans" in BakingI am a long time baker and would like to share this tip with all. I make all different shapes and sizes or cakes and have found that you can only purchase the typical pans in the stores.

 

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Recycle Your Old Cell Phone For A Good Cause!"The HopeLine phone recycling program is an exclusive program that uses wireless services and equipment to assist victims in emergency domestic violence situations."

 

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Use for Broken Diaper Wipes BoxSo our kids broke the lid off the diaper wipe box they kept their little toys in. Don't throw it away just yet.

 

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Finding and Using Wooden CratesOne of the electronics firms here in town regularly gets rid of wooden crates. I asked if I could have them. They said "sure" as they used a lot of man hours breaking them up to go to the dump.

 

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Keep Those Milk and Juice ContainersKeep those UHT milk and juice containers. Fill them 3/4 full with water and keep in the freezer, that way you will always have an icepak available to keep drinks/food cold when you go on picnics, etc.

 

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Uses for Old MagazinesGive your old magazines to hospitals, nursing homes, senior centers, schools or clinics. Schools need magazines for research and for children to cut pictures out of.

 

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Recycle Your Computer at StaplesStaples will help you recycle your old computer(s) for cheap if you live in Washington or Oregon. It appears that the program is just in those two states.

 

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Recycling Tin CansRecycle your cans. Tin and steel cans save a lot of energy if they are recycled. Reclaiming one ton of steel or tin saves 1.5 tons of ore. Tin recycling saves an estimated 2,600 kilowatt hours per ton.

 

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Recycling GlassRecycling one glass bottle instead of making a new one saves enough energy to light a 100 watt bulb for 4 years. Glass produced from recycled glass instead of raw material reduces related air pollution by 20 percent and water pollution by 50 percent.

 

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