Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

I decided that I wanted to share some of my ideas about trying to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. My environmetalist of a husband has helped me be more aware of our environment and how I can make little changes in my life. I think sometimes one could feel guilty about not doing enough, but here are a few easy things I have done. Most of these things are in the "Reuse" category.

1. I keep a pile of paper to the side of my desk that is for Leland to color or cut. The paper is anything from random junk mail that doesn't need to be shredded that is blank on one side, to other extra pages that were printed and no longer needed. She knows that is where she can go if she needs paper.


2. Cut open cereal boxes (or other boxes) for painting projects. The cardboard is more sturdy than a peice of paper.


3. Shop yard sales. With warmer weather approaching many will start to pop-up on Saturday mornings. Shop Goodwill (or DI) You have to be willing to dig and search, but you could find some great stuff. I have 2 skirts that I got from Goodwill for $3 each, one is J.crew and the other Ann Taylor. Check out the girls new doll house I found for $0.25 at a yard sale this weekend.


4. Print front and back when printing from your computer.


5. Use a letter opener to open bills, keep the envelope to write your grocery list or other lists. The pocket from the envelope is great to hold my coupons while shopping.


6. Use canvas bags for your grocery shopping. I got 4 black canvas totes from Wal-Mart for $1 each. (They say "Paper or Plastic? Neither") I don't seem to need more than 4. I am amazed at how much each can hold.


7. Accept (or give) hand-me-downs. I LOVE the clothes my sister has given to us. She was really into matching her girls so most of her stuff has a pair. The new box that I just opened for Leland had a lot of outfits that match Lucy's clothes. Leland was so excited about having matching PJs she went in her room and laid them out just before bed.


8. RECYCLE! If your town picks up from your house and you can mix everything - you have no excuse to not recycle. Find out what your town accepts and where to drop it off. A simple way to start is to get a 2nd trash can just for plastics. (That's what we use most) We have to seperate our recyling and take it to a recyling center. I have bags hanging in my laundry room for each type of material and I have a tub for paper.