Reuse and Recycle

Reuse and Recycle

Before you throw it out – think about it – does it have an alternative use?  Back in our Nanna’s days – they were natural recyclers – money was scarce – so you had to make do with what you have.  Let’s learn from these master recyclers and re-use what we have!

Kitchen Things:

• Use old margarine and butter containers to grow seedlings for your garden.  Egg cartons can be used the same way!
• Newspapers can be used as wrapping paper, or to help light your wood heater, or as a weed matt in the garden – never throw them away!
• Egg cartons make great art work fodder for kids – keep them for your own – or donate them to the nearest child care centre.
• Plastic Shopping bags are not good for the environment – but you can at lease re-use them – they make great ‘nappy sacks’ for dirty nappies.  Tie a knot in the top and dispose of wisely. Another alternative it to donate them to charity stores – they are always looking for clean plastic bags to use.
• Re-use wrapping paper or use it to make colourful xmas decorations at the end of the year.
• Put your food scraps in a sealed ice cream container and use it either in your compost heap or worm farm if you have one – or give it to the chooks!
• Old jam jars make terrific containers for buttons or birthday candles or anything small and non-perishable.  If you get quite a few jars the same – fill them up with different coloured items and put them on display – looks very rustic and beautiful!
• Save some seeds from your fruit and vege and try and grow your own!

 Other Stuff:

• Re-carpeting your home?  Why not use a few squares to line your doghouse – keep a few spare so you can replace them as they get grotty.
• Shoe boxes make great storage boxes for loose photographs or letters you would like to keep