I call myself a Rabid Recycler. I cannot bear to throw away anything that might be reused or repurposed. My family members are not always appreciative of my efforts, but I carry on - undeterred by their lack of enthusiasm. When my flannel sheets became a little too worn for use on the bed, I repurposed them into napkins for the dinner table. I save boxes, much to the dismay of my husband. He frequently complains about my box collection in the basement. But you always need a good box, right? I wash and reuse Ziploc bags. I made a special bag drying rack that sits next to my dish drainer, made out of repurposed items, of course. I shop at resale stores, buy used books, and watch the local Freecycle site on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/349460405130602 for anything useful. I also offer up many items on Freecycle rather than throw them out.
I will also confess to collecting all manner of junk from the side of the road if I think I can use it for something. I have created many items of clothing and artwork from repurposed items. I find it so satisfying to give new life to something that might otherwise have been discarded. One of my latest passions has been to create skirts out of old t-shirts. They are very cool, unique, and comfortable to wear. I recently snagged a ceiling fan that a neighbor put out to the curb. I repurposed it into a dragonfly for my garden.
I love to shop at resale stores and garage sales. Most of my clothing has belonged to someone else before me. Not much makes me happier than finding a great fitting pair of jeans or sweater for a fraction of the price charged for brand new items. I get an extra bit of satisfaction from knowing that it's good for my pocketbook and the planet.
We get a lot of "junk mail" at our house. I imagine that you do as well. It pains me to think of the trees being killed to satisfy our need for paper. Especially when so much of it goes straight to the recycle bin. I have joked with our mail delivery person that I'm just going to put the recycle bin on the porch. Then she can throw the mail in it and save me a step. Any piece of paper that is blank on one side becomes note paper, used for grocery lists and other assorted notes.
We have one garbage bin and two recycle bins. The recycling in our area is picked up every two weeks. I really wish that it was picked up every week. The two bins are full to the brim every time, while the garbage bin is usually only half full. Every scrap of paper, cardboard, plastic and glass goes into the recycle bin. Plastic bags go into a bag hanging on the laundry room door, destined for the collection bins at the grocery store. My kids chastise me for going through their trash cans, pulling out plastic cups and other recyclable items that they would happily throw into the trash bin. I have tried to impress on them that I am committed to leaving the world a bit less cluttered (for them) when I am gone.
I have heard varying reports about the real effectiveness of recycling, but I believe that there are a great many economic and environmental benefits to recycling and repurposing. And I think that it's good for the soul. Of course, the real answer is to consume less. Check out my book pick of the month, Affluenza. Like my grandma said, "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without".
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