I guess that you could say that I’m a little bit obsessed about reusing and recycling . I’ve owned a home consignment business for nearly 20 years and make my living getting my customers to buy someone else’s stuff. Now that’s serious recycling. It’s something that’s better for you and better for the earth. However, there’s a lot more you can do when it comes to reusing and recycling. So today I’m offering some creative uses for things you would ordinarily toss or recycle. You can literally take your trash and turn it into something attractive and useful.
Uses for Things You Recycle: Clementine Box
Clementines boxes are oh-so-cute, and yet we toss or recycle them. Hold that thought for a sec. I have been using these boxes for years to “containerize” fruit and veggie trays both at home and when I’m asked to bring one somewhere. The ridged sides of the box make standing the cut fruits or veggies a snap. And the best part is that at home they’re reusable and away you can leave them, with your compliments, and not worry about getting Grandma Kathleen’s best platter back. It’s a win-win! Clementine boxes also make great planters and are the perfect size to organize things like ribbon.
Prescription Bottles – They Have So Many Other Uses
I am on a quest to take as little medicine as possible these days, but try as I might there always seems to be the need for an allergy pill or an occasional antibiotic. But there’s no need to pitch the pill bottle when you’re done. Prescription bottles have lots of upcycle uses. Consider:
- Using them to house your earbuds in your handbag or briefcase
- Creating a mini first aid kit with the larger ones (Band Aids, Tums, Tylenol, aspirin, Neosporin) that you can keep in your car, your desk, etc.
- Making your own sewing kit for those button emergencies when you travel. Just throw it in your cosmetic bag or DOP case.
- Saving a little touch up paint for your project furniture.
Being a Caffeine Junkie Has Its Perks
My Dad saved every coffee can and peanut butter jar that came into my parents house. He used the former for all kinds of tools and the latter for all kinds of nuts and bolts. You too can upcycle these great containers. Not only can coffee cans be easily painted, but they can be easily drilled and turned in to festive luminaries. Coffee cans can also be wrapped in twine or raffia (with the help of a little hot glue) and they make excellent containers for herbs, pens/pencils as well as kitchen tools.
Glass Jars Can Have a Second Life Too!
So you ate the last pickle… what’s the big deal… they’re fat free, after all. Now, guess what? You’ve got the jar to recycle or better yet upcycle. With a quick trip to Home Depot or Lowe’s for a few knobs, or a stop at the consignment store for the same, you can make this jar, and all the others turning up in your world, into cool apothecary jars for the kitchen or storage jars for toiletries for the bath. The options are almost endless and the benefit is three-fold: organization, earth-friendliness and more pickles! Win-win-win!
So how’s that for creative uses for things you would ordinarily recycle. And believe me, my friends, this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Insider Tip: Thrift and consignment shops, like Consignments Ltd., are great places to find embellishments and other inspirations for all your recycle upcycling projects. If you’re hungry for more, check out my previous blogs like: Best Moving Tips and How To Add Whimsy to Your Home.
