Wait! You Can Reuse That!

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) uses the term Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) to describe the process of reusing materials more productively over the course of their life cycle. The EPA states that by looking at the entire life cycle of a product, you can find new ways to conserve natural resources and help keep the planet green. Now, you may be thinking, “I have never thought about the entire lifecycle of a product, and honestly I don’t really reuse things either.” and that’s okay! This article is to help you realize that there are so many fun and cool ways to reuse items that you would normally just throw away!

Here are 3 creative and fun ways to reuse everyday items!

1. Repurpose Glass, Plastic and Cardboard Containers

One of the best uses for empty plastic soda bottles is as a planter for flowers and herbs.  Take an empty 2-liter soda bottle and cut off the top two thirds, leaving the bottle’s bottom third. Wash the bottom thoroughly, plant herbs or a small plant, and there you go! Now you have yourself a reusable flower pot.

In addition, empty glasses and plastic jars make excellent kitchen storage and can be used as mixing containers for sauces or salad dressing. And, if you’re a shoe shopper, keep in mind that empty shoe boxes make great storage bins for sundries like jewelry, toiletries and household items.

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2. Designate a Drawer for Plastic Bags

Many times people will use plastic shopping bags once and throw them away. Instead, designate a drawer in your kitchen where you store plastic bags so that they can be reused. That small bag that carried your milk and bread home from the grocery store can be used as a liner for the bathroom wastebasket or as a tool for cooking (yes, you heard that right!). Looking for a way to get your chicken or fish completely covered in that bread crumb and spice coating you just prepared?  Shake them together inside the plastic bag until every inch has been covered!

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3. Convert Old Sheets, Towels and Clothing into Wash Rags

This may be our favorite one! 
Old textiles such as sheets, towels and cotton shirts can easily be turned into wash rags with a good pair of scissors. Throw the old items into your next load of laundry to make sure they’re clean before they take on new life, then simply cut them up into large squares or rectangles with a sharp pair of scissors. Store them with your cleaning supplies and they’ll be ready for your next spring cleaning.