REUSE Old Coolers:
Submitted by J. Willis: New use to recycle old form coolers. Read this in a Farmers
Almanac. Use a form cooler as a planter for summer veggies. Fill with
potting soil, punch holes around the bottom, just above the bottom for
drainage. This was used by full time campers that would stay at a
camp-ground for the season. They formed groups that helped, using the
extra sunny picnic tables to place the boxes on. Comfortable height
and was just right for older folks to weed, water and harvest.
Reuse: Another use for the dog/cat/chicken feed bags has been tried and pronounced a winner! It was time to make another batch of laundry detergent. I pondered which method to best mix all the powdered ingredients (baking soda, borax, super washing soda and grated Fels Naptha). When added all together, these fine, sifted powders can be a bit messy if not done carefully. So, I grabbed one of the feed bags from my collection of saved bags....and proceeded to add all the ingredients to this bag. I closed the top of the bag, rolling it down several times, just like when you close the top of a lunch sack, making sure that when I tipped the bag upside down, the ingredients wouldn't spill out. Time to shake the bag up and down and side ways. Tip the bag upside down and right side up a few more times and voila! All mixed! Careful to open the bag over a big sheet of paper to catch spills, I loaded up my empty detergent containers (I use two large Maxwell house coffee containers, one Coffeemate quart size bottle and one plastic cottage cheese container to hold my batch). -Kimberly
Reuse:
I have a new idea for planting seeds, cuttings etc. I have
thought of using the large plastic containers that we purchase salad
greens. Use them as mini green-houses. Cut the t-tissue (wrapping
paper rolls) into shorter lengths fill with rooting medium and place
seed,cutting in the medium, placing them into the bottom half of the
container punch a few drainage holes into bottom of container and use
the lid to protect, or cover, prop up later for air. -Jo W.
Reuse: Saltine cracker box makes a perfect 'gift box' when you are out of the traditional gift bags. Dress it with a bit of colorful tissue paper and use wire-edged ribbon for a handle. The recipient will be delighted with your thoughtfulness! -Jan L.
Leftover pieces of bar soap? Collect remnants in an old sock and use for
'soapy scrubber' for babes at bath time. -Linda W.
Reduce:
Make Composting easier: "I'm going to use some buckets and plastic storage bins I already have on hand and put them around the yard at sites convenient for composting. You know how these items can pile up. Even plastic garbage cans. -Jo
I like to keep my chargers (for camera, phone, etc) handy but keeping them on even if not in use still uses electricity; I plug them in a strip with an on/off switch.
*Additional Note: DVD players should not be left with the little light on. That takes more electricity than if you were playing a DVD -Margaret G.
Check out this YouTube video about solar lights from plastic bottles! -sarahpass@bellsouth.net
Reuse: Plastic coffee cans make
make a great con- tainer for mailing cookies to troops overseas. -Kay
Reuse: Aside from the tote bags I've made from the sturdy dog/cat/chicken/horse feed plastic bags, I've recently begun using these same strong plastic weave feed bags for several projects: Sturdy enough to collect yard trash or trash along the street, they are easy to carry if you roll a little cuff at the top to hold on to. GREAT way to cut down on black plastic trash bags for outside cleanup. I recently used three deer feed bags to store kindling in; easy to pick up and carry. And finally, I'm experimenting with using these same feed bags to compost chopped leaves, cut grass and kitchen scraps. When the bag is full, I'll fold over the top and clamp it closed...and let it sit over the winter. We'll see what kind of breakdown occurs after a few months. Easy to store and turn upside down and shake. -Kimberly
Make Composting easier: "I'm going to use some buckets and plastic storage bins I already have on hand and put them around the yard at sites convenient for composting. You know how these items can pile up. Even plastic garbage cans. -Jo
Recycle: Donate, donate, donate! Find a home for gently used items by donating to your favorite Thrift Shop. Those of you who know me, know that I have a soft spot for the Humane Society Thrift Shop. - Jan
Recycle: Never throw away a magazine. The Ozark-Dale Co. Public Library is happy to accept your magazines and in turn allows patrons to take these magazines free of charge. -Kimberly
Reduce: I hang clothes 3/4 of the time on my outside clothes line.
It's amazing how fresh they smell. There's nothing like fresh crisp
smelling sheets that were line dried. It makes for a good nights rest. This cuts down on the
electric bill. -Alice
Reuse: I use a lot of zip lock bags to store food. Afterwards, I wash them out and use them for storing non-food items like loose nails, screws, rubber bands, etc. but mostly for propagating plants. They come in so handy. - Carole
Reuse: I use a lot of zip lock bags to store food. Afterwards, I wash them out and use them for storing non-food items like loose nails, screws, rubber bands, etc. but mostly for propagating plants. They come in so handy. - Carole
Reuse & Recycle: Thread a rope through the handle of a plastic Maxwell House coffee container (or two, one for each hip), run it through your pant loops and tie it. Rest the container in front or on your hip. Then pick your berries or cherry tomatoes using two hands and a container to drop your fruit into. This would also be a great way to gather seeds in large quantity. -suggested by a member in the audience at the "3 R's: Living Green" seminar
Reuse: Save all those junk mail envelopes and say Thank You. They are great for storing seeds. I keep some downstairs and they are so handy for gardeners to collect seeds in. Write the name of the flower and date and you are set for the following year. I probably have close to 50 envelopes with seeds. The seeds stay nice and dry in paper envelopes (if any seeds have moisture in them, they will mildew in plastic). The seeds are usually good for two years. -Carole
Reuse: Save all those junk mail envelopes and say Thank You. They are great for storing seeds. I keep some downstairs and they are so handy for gardeners to collect seeds in. Write the name of the flower and date and you are set for the following year. I probably have close to 50 envelopes with seeds. The seeds stay nice and dry in paper envelopes (if any seeds have moisture in them, they will mildew in plastic). The seeds are usually good for two years. -Carole
Reuse: Use odd kitchen
pots as plant containers. Try a tea pot. I even used my husbands old
sneakers. Fall ideas included a hollowed
out pumpkin or gourd and filling with potted mums and ivy. You don’t
have to buy expensive containers; an old trash can or basket can be
turned into a container. Wrap a can
with ribbon or yarn or rope to use as storage container or plant
container. As a planter, punch holes in the bottom of the can. Stage several
containers with Fall Flowers. Or paint them with a high gloss red
paint, trim with gold or silver ribbon or braid and use for Christmas decor with a Rosemary topiary or small evergreen. Paint or decorate
to suit your decor. Use for holding buttons. Hot glue shells on the
container as a treasure can from a beach trip. I think a large coffee can would even
hold a roll of toilet paper? Use a decorated can upside down to cover a
roll of toilet paper on a bath room self. Glue pictures to the can to create a collage for a pencil holder or clutter collector. -Ona
Reduce: 1) Reduce irrigation station run times by two minutes. 2) Use a broom instead of a water hose to clean driveways and sidewalks. 3) Add mulch (2"-3") around trees and plants. -Ona
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