[Dreamweaverr]

Recycling is not just about taking cans and bottles in to the centers. Recycling can be anything reused and sometimes reused again. Take childrens clothing for example. Hand me downs are a great way to recycle and then when the clothes become too worn, cut them up and use them for rags for cleaning instead of using new paper towels, or use them for gardening or working with crafts and tools or work around the house. They are washable and last a lot longer too. I know in our consumer societies hand me downs are often sneered at, but children grow through clothing like weeds and it is just silly to toss them out like I have seen so many do. Of course they can be donated to shelters or churches or larger orgnizations. In fact sometimes it is better to go to a shelter or church. They are grateful to have the help and it is more one to one.

[peachy]

I LOVE HAND ME DOWNS. You're right dreamweaverr...it is a fantastic form of recycling. Me and my group of friends have recycled our clothing between at least 6 kids. I would say maybe a handful of outfits have been ruined because of the colour running or it being plain worn out. Talk about a money saver too.

I'd like to take some of my broken dishes one day and make a mosaic/mosaic table. It would be a meaningful table to me and the items could be reused for something in the house. Maybe handed down to my kids too.

I'm sure people here could all add in examples of what they do with recycled items. I'd be interested in seeing some different things...I could definitely learn a lot from all of you.

[horselover]

I donate my clothing as well. It's a good way to get rid of it, yet help others at the same time.

I've yet to go through some more to get rid of for the spring, but I'll get to it at some point in time.

[Dreamweaverr]

Here is another one. Try sharing your books if you are comfortable with that. It is also a great social activity. The book publishers won't be thrilled but the forests will. Or go to a library...

[Woday]

Recycling cloths, car oil, composting, (composting toilets are cool) and yard sales. "What is one man's garbage is another man's gold". Putting almost anything on the side of the street these days with a free sign attached will disappear in a hurry. HGTV has a TV show about it now with those garbage guys.... Life good eh?

Woday

[peachy]

Dreamweaver...yes, I totally do the book exchange with friends and family. And of course, just going to the library!

woday...composting toilets?! Really???? I feel like I'm living in the dark ages! I've never heard of those! And yep, add that free sign and someone will take it. My in-law's 25 year old couch was totally snapped up. It was awesome! Out in my area, every year, the city says allows one day for a city wide "place your item out in the street" day. A TON of stuff gets "recycled."

[earthbound1]

I posted some of this on another thread, but thought it may belong here.

One man's junk is another man's treasure. This maxim rings true on the many freecycle sites that spot the web these days.

My wife joined a group a couple of years back called FREECYCLE.ORG and what participation does, is keep things out of landfills and in homes where they can continue to be useful and appreciated. In the two years we have seen things from toasters to televisions, washers and dryers, even vehicles (boats, cars, trucks, RVs) up for giveaway on the sites.

So if you like the idea of saving the earth and saving money, try it out.

I've also found Craigslist to be useful for finding free stuff and bartering too.

Hope this helps some families and individuals out there.
Eric

[Dreamweaverr]

I thought ypu might like to read an article I wrote on recyling ideas. Here is the link.
Unique Recycling Ideas - Associated Content

[TheQueen31]

I am big into re-using too. Not just because of the money saved, but because of the waste saved.

I keep a bag going in my closet, which I fill with donations to Big Brothers and wait for them to call me every couple of months. That way, when an item no longer is of need to me, it gets passed on to someone else, and Big Brothers gets to earn some $$ along the way.

I also use Craigslist. It’s so true – some thing need a bit of repair that I have no interest in doing, but someone else would be thrilled to do it and have the parts.

[Stepper]

Great ideas, Dreamweaverr. Here's a site with more ideas on sharing books: BookCrossing - The World's Biggest Free Book Club - Catch and Release Used Books