Ways in Which I Go Green at Home

Ways in which I go green at home:

I. Basic Items

I recycle almost everything:

bottles and cans (for money-kids’ allowance money)

glass

paper

cardboard

plastic

I set up separate receptacles for each type in the garage so it is really easy.

II. Containers

I reuse all containers that I find: Here are some examples:

The giant pretzel containers from BJs hold crayons, markers, glue-all the different craft stuff my kids use for school

Cool whip containers become my new “Tupperware” so friends can take leftovers home.

The Lysol wipes containers have an easy peel-off label, so I pull the label off, wrap a

piece of fabric or wrapping paper around it, and it becomes a cute container for

hair brushes, hair elastics, under the bathroom sink needs, etc. You could even

decorate it and put cookies in it as a gift. It could also make a pretty vase.

I always keep the plastic bags that bed sheets or blankets come in. These are great for

storing the kids’ hats, scarves, mittens, as well as any beach towels or blankets for

for a different season. I also use them to store table cloths, cloth napkins, etc.

(any seasonal items that need to be stored but kept clean).

ALL shoe boxes (especially boot boxes) are saved to store picture CDs, Christmas cards,

or do dads in the garage. These can also be decorated and easily labeled. Take a

picture of what is in it and stick it on the front of the box.

Shoe boxes are great for storing shoes (go figure!) If you do not have a lot of room for

your shoes (especially seasonal ones) take a digital picture of the shoes and glue it

on the front of the box so that when you store them on a shelf, you can see which

shoes are in them.

I keep Christmas cards from every year. The cards that have a pretty design on the front,

I reuse to tag a gift. I cut out the pretty design with a craft scissors (a just a

regular one), I punch a hole in it, and I put a ribbon through the hole; now it’s a lovely tag for a gift.

My kids’ T shirts become polishing rags.

I reuse my dunkin donuts styrofoam cups. If I got a cup of dunkies coffee on road, I keep

the container, rinse it at home, and then the next day when I drive to work, I make

coffee from home and pour it in my rinsed our dunkies’ cup (with the lid and all).

It keeps it hotter than the metal cups you buy.

III. Clothes

When my twins were born, I had a one year old and, since I broke my back carrying the twins, I was not mobile enough to be shopping. Hand me down clothes was my only way to go. I would say that probably 75% (easily) of their clothes then and now are hand me downs. I get together with family and friends and we swap out clothes (and toys) the kids don’t use anymore.

I often share with co-workers here too, so we give to each other.

My friends and I also share clothes A LOT.

Also, second hand stores have great clothes for great prices. Stores like CT Outfitters in Scituate and consignments shops have designer clothes that are slightly worn (and often not at all) for half off.

There are more ideas; I will add to this later.