Recycling Old Stuff at Home

Nowadays, people are very aware of the dangerous effects caused by pollution, whether it is in air,  water or land. So many things can negatively influence the environment, such as not using procedures when disposing of products. Undeniably, we can witness how our nature is struggling with extreme changes all over the world. Most of us believe that we can still lead a well-rounded lifestyle. It will be truly rewarding and beneficial to the future generations of our planet Earth’s inhabitants.

One of the best ways to save the planet is recycling. There are three key factors when thinking about how to recycle – The 3 R’s; Unless you live a zero waste lifestyle, there is always room for improvement when it comes to taking care of the Earth.

Reusing packaging and other items, we can reduce our waste even further, as well as saving money and resources by avoiding buying something new. Recycling packaging like aluminum cans, jars, newspapers and bottles, will surely help lessen the amount of trash that goes to the landfill.

Check out these easy and fun ways to reuse and recycle at home whether you are in The Windy City or in any city all over the globe.

CDs DVDs and VHS Tapes

With today’s technology and modern world, most of us has gone digital. The easiest way to get rid of these stuff is checking your local recycling center and hope that they’ll take them. If not, then these are some options you may consider:

• Recycle at a local arts and crafts center, as they use them as gift bag bases or drop spindles for spinning tool.

• Decorate your wall or even the ceiling by creating a collage of reflective CDs.

• Upgrade a scarecrow by creatively using CDs. The light that reflects through it will keep birds and most of daytime critters off your garden and farm.

• Bind posts together in your garden by using VHS tape instead of plastic rope.

Wine Corks

Collecting wine corks? Why not make it to something more useful instead of just having them sit on a jar. They are just waiting for you to turn it into something amazing.

• Use them to cork bottles of sauces, oil and other preserves.

• Be artistic and decorate your refrigerator with cork magnets.

• Create your own useful and useful cork board for your home office by cutting them in your own desired height.

• Prop up garden pots and use wine corks as aid drainage.

Envelopes and Junk Mails

We get these mails once in a while even with today’s modern way of communicating or sending bills or whatnot. Here are some ways of getting rid of them and give a new purpose instead of throwing them to the trash bin.

• Keep used envelopes n hand and use them to keep garden seeds, or you can tape them below drills to catch dirt and dust.

• If reply envelopes are still in good condition, you can actually reuse them when you send out your own mail.simply cover any logos, or writings seen on the envelope and replace it with your own details and information.

• Shred the envelopes and other paper that are no longer needed. These can be used to create your very own organic  mulch in your garden

• Fill up pillowcases to keep outdoor pets warm and comfortable, most especially in winter.

• Recycle all other paper products that you are not re purposing.

Plastic Bags

When you’re out doing your weekly or monthly grocery shopping, start practicing refusing the use of plastic bags as much as possible. You may either choose to use paper bags or  bring your own bags as well. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll find it much easier than dealing with plastic bags. Here are some ways on recycling plastic bags and turn them into something more useful.

• Save them to wrap                                                                                                                   

• Recycle them supermarkets and some certain curb sides

• Use them for projects, arts and crafts

• Use them as garbage bags or even grocery bags, especially when buying wet groceries.

• Use them to cover tables or areas that easily gets messy in your home.

Aluminum foil

Before recycling this kind of item, make sure that it is clean, and free from any substance of food. There are loads of ways to reuse aluminum foil, and here are some of them.

• Jewelry cleaner: Yes, you read that right. Line a small dish with foil then add hot water and one tablespoon of powdered laundry detergent. Mix well and swirl the jewelry into the mixture you made. Leave it for 1-2 minutes then remove and let sit to dry.

• Utensil Sharpener. It’s surprising, but yes it’s 100% useful. Fold a used aluminum  foil over to 6 layers thick. Sharpen scissors or knives by cutting through the foil for several times.

• Reflector: Create this by placing the foil behind plants in the shade, or those that are not reached by sunlight. By this reflector the light can finally reach them and help them grow.

• Dryer Ball: This will help remove static cling and wrinkles on clothes. Simply make it by crumpling a 2 to 3 inch ball and place it inside the dryer along with your wool dryer clothes.

 Old electronics, cellphones and other devices

Gadgets, cellphones and  other electronic devices has multiplied as years go by to the point that it seems to grow triple times as population increases. I know, a lot will surely relate to this gadget waste. Honestly, we now have an “e-waste” that we need to take control as well.

• Clean up your old phone, get a new cover, and give it to someone who badly needs it as a present instead of just leaving it with a dead battery on the shelves.

• If you're using an electronic that is still in-demand and has average to high value, why not try selling it?

• Check Earth 911 for how to recycle a cellphone in your area.

• Disassemble the phone. Recycle the battery and other parts that are still useful at a computer or any electronic recycling units.

• When upgrading to a new phone, use the manufacturer’s Take Back program.