Cut your Consumerism!!!! (recycling, green house, mpg, eco-friendly)
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I would love to find out what others are doing to "cut back" and be more responsible w/ stretching dollars . . . while recycling and re-purposing.
For ex., years ago my friends and I would have a "kids clothes exchange" every month or so. Things one child had outgrown - others could use. Is anyone doing this in the neighborhood where you live?
And re-purposing. Take your own clothing, and cut off pants to make capris, or take off a collar to create a new look w/ a jacket . . .
I know people have yard sales, but what about finding something at a yard sale and re-purposing it. For example, finding an old step stool, painting it and using it as a plant stand.
I would like to hear what others are doing to cut their own consumerism and at the same time, save resources by finding better ways to use discarded or unwanted things in our homes.
great post.
I'm a big freecycle & craigslist user. My DH built a green house for me out of old windows that were being thrown out, a used sliding glass door & used front door & the floor is made of free rocks we got on craigslist
here's a picture of it before it was finished.
We give stuff away instead on throwing it out too.
We are pretty thrifty.
I would love to find out what others are doing to "cut back" and be more responsible w/ stretching dollars . . . while recycling and re-purposing.
For ex., years ago my friends and I would have a "kids clothes exchange" every month or so. Things one child had outgrown - others could use. Is anyone doing this in the neighborhood where you live?
And re-purposing. Take your own clothing, and cut off pants to make capris, or take off a collar to create a new look w/ a jacket . . .
I know people have yard sales, but what about finding something at a yard sale and re-purposing it. For example, finding an old step stool, painting it and using it as a plant stand.
I would like to hear what others are doing to cut their own consumerism and at the same time, save resources by finding better ways to use discarded or unwanted things in our homes.
Buying second hand is better than buying eco-friendly NEW products for sure...
I buy second hand clothes for myself and my kids at St. Vincent De Paul. I sell or give away my kids clothes to my friends, and I buy really nice second hand (or antique) furniture from local people. I've used my kids baby socks, stuff them with scented flowers w/ essential oil, and put them in my kids/my clothing drawers...
trying to think of something else but I'm drawing a blank...
Me and my wife do not buy second hand clothes, always new. We are both very hard to fit even when looking in a nicely organized store with everything in order. Often we have to go to several stores to find the right fit.
We do however wear most of our clothes until they are completely worn out. We still turn them in to donation centers because someone with no clothes will gladly take a worn garment over nothing.
As far as cutting consumerism, we just don't buy hardly anything that is not a necessity and we try to purchase minimally packaged items. We try to throw away as little as possible and give away anything we can.
Keep these suggestions coming! I give away things to friends and family first; then, I will give to Goodwill or the Salvation Army.
I also ask around if I need something, in hopes a friend or relative will have what I need and be willing to give it away or sell it for a good price. You just never know til you ask. I have not purchased off craig'slist yet but I have been looking for a piece of furniture I need, and think it will eventually show up! I like estate sales and yard sales, as well.
KELLYFG - I am sooooo impressed w/ the greenhouse! I would LOVE to have a greenhouse. What a wonderful way to use the discarded windows! Your DH is quite the handyman to put this together. I am going to save the picture of your lovely little greenhouse in hopes some day I might find the materials to make one for my house.
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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Probably there is a website that ranks goods by the size of their ecological footprint to create. Those of us who "re-use" should probably focus on keeping those things alive, if we have any use for them.... This winter I've been getting a lot of use from my down coat that is 35 yrs old. I look like I've come from the hen house when I take it off, as it leaks a bit of down...
Probably there is a website that ranks goods by the size of their ecological footprint to create. Those of us who "re-use" should probably focus on keeping those things alive, if we have any use for them.... This winter I've been getting a lot of use from my down coat that is 35 yrs old. I look like I've come from the hen house when I take it off, as it leaks a bit of down...
Hee Hee! I can just see you w/ the feathers flying, LOL! Hey - if it keeps you warm . . . maybe you need to re-stitch some seams or put on a patch???
Or maybe it is more fun to just let the coat do its thing . . . 35 years . . . that is a lot of living!
Only bought one new car and it wasn't planned... it just worked out for me in terms of value and convenience...
If they stopped making cars today, I think we would still have enough of them to last my lifetime at least... Over the years, I've picked up quite a few cars for free or for very little money... I still don't understand why someone will toss out a perfectly good car when $35 in parts is all it would take to fix it.
I got my Plymouth Valiant this way... it quit running and it was offered to me if I would come and get it... I bought a new $35 timing chain and two hours later I was on the road and have been driving the car for over 20 years...
Good tires are available for next to nothing at the wreckers... I get a good deal and it keeps the tire out of the landfill...
Rental Properties... I used to manage a number of Rentals and I can never understand how some people can generate so much trash consistently to the point where the can is filled to overflow weekly... and all those made in China Christmas gifts end up in the waste stream before the year is out... I've often seen perfectly good bicycles put out for the city's once a year bulky trash pick-up with nothing wrong other than a flat tire... and the people tossing are often low income and receiving aid.
The Daughter of a Tenant was expecting a baby and I let her know that someone from work had complete furniture for a nursery that she could have for free and it was all nice stuff... My Tenant told me that her Grand baby wasn't going to have someone else's hand me downs... like a baby would even know. I carried all of the new baby stuff she bought to the curb 18 months later...
I think part of the problem is that almost nobody fixes anything anymore... even cars are fast becoming a disposable commodity... I don't know whether it is by design of preference but America must be a very rich country judging by what we throw away...
My Grandfather always told me... "Buy a quality item and it will last a lifetime" and quality doesn't have to equate expensive.
Last edited by Ultrarunner; 04-28-2008 at 12:19 AM..
Odd pieces of wood, leftover lumber from projects. Maybe I'll use a piece to repair a smaller area or make a decorative something or other for the yard. Took down a section of wood fence last year, bottom's all rotted out. Cut the bad pieces off and made the wife some posts for bird feeders.
Any old metal stuff gets picked up free by a local fellow that sells it to the recycler. That's how he makes his money and I don't have to throw it away or pay to have it hauled.
Plastic or paper bags get saved and the wife uses them when she holds a yard sale or heads to the flea market.
I'd say 90% of my clothes come from the local thrift shop. I've got all manner of items incuding my suits, ties and dress wear. Some brand new in the plastic. Can't remember the last time I bought something new besides underwear and socks.
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Repair and Reuse is my Motto.
