Recycling and Reusing Items to Save Money

We used to live in an area where our waste collection company gave us 3 cans as part of our standard service: One for yard waste, one for recyclables, and one for garbage. When we moved to our present location the waste company asked if we wanted to go with the same plan as the previous occupants and I stupidly said yes, without asking about the plan. We were given two can for garbage – none for recycling or yard waste! I looked around the neighborhood and did not see any recycling bins, so I threw everything into the garbage bins. However, it pained me to throw recyclable goods away, so I finally called the company and asked if they provided any recycling. They said yes all I had to do was ask; they dropped off two bins free of charge the next week. We are able to recycle so many items that I was able to reduce our service to only one garbage can, which saves us $80.00 a year.

My family had a hard time getting used to recycling and composting again, so after a week of pulling items out of the trash I wrote a reminder on the trash can lid.

If I am able, I like to reuse items rather than recycling them. Here I am using a yogurt cup as a planter. Once this plant is big enough to go outside I will cover it with a milk jug to keep it warm at night.

I like to buy food items in bulk; it saves money and reduces the amount of packaging that has to be discarded, but then I must find a way to store those items. I use leftover glass jars (from peanut butter, jelly, etc.) to store items like spices, nuts, and seeds bought in bulk. Before I discard an item, whether it is going into the garbage or the recycling bin, I ask myself if there is a way that the item can be reused. Last weekend we threw a party and I cheated and bought a cake. As I was cleaning up I looked at the clear plastic lid that had covered the cake and thought: Instant Greenhouse!

How do you reuse items that would otherwise go to waste?