With the economy in a slump, recycling is one way we can all cut our household expenses. The following is a list of ideas to help everyone stretch the dollar a little further. Even the most common items can be recycled. Cut the top out of a plastic bleach bottle, screw on the lid and you’ve got a great scoop for dog food. Use the bottom of the cut bleach bottle as a disposable garbage bowl for use when cooking. As you prepare dinner, use the garbage bowl as a catch all for vegetable peelings, wrappers, etc. and make one trip to the garbage instead of several.
An empty milk jug with a tight lid makes a cheap alternative to expensive water weights. The air trapped inside will make the plastic jug float in the water which offers great resistance when performing water aerobics. Or fill the jug with beans for use as regular exercise weights.
Recycle an empty two liter soda bottle into a plastic funnel by cutting out the bottom. The bottom of the bottle will make a great planter. Cut small holes in the bottom and recycle an aluminum pie tin to catch the drainage when you water. Old ice cube trays make great sorters for small items such as sewing notions. Create a storage shelf in your garage by recycling jelly jars. Nail several lids to a board that can be attached to the garage wall. Fill the empty jars with nuts, bolts, screws or nails and simply screw the jars back into their lids for handy holders.
Egg cartons make great plant starters. Fill the empty cups with potting soil and seeds to get a head start on Spring planting. Coffee cans are known storage containers. With their tight fitting, airtight lids, they make perfect storage for staples such as flour and sugar. With a little construction paper, markers and glue you can transform a plain coffee can into a unique cookie jar.
Recycle a mesh onion bag into a pot scrubber by scrunching it together and wrapping it with a small rubber band. A 35mm film canister is the perfect size to hold quarters. Fill one and place it in your glove box to get you through a toll booth faster. Or fill one with a small pack of sewing needles and a bit of thread for a neat travel sewing kit.
Empty toilet paper tubes make great gift holders for small gifts. Stuff one full and wrap it in the shape of a piece of candy. Bubble wrap packaging makes a great tool to add texture to the walls when you’re painting. Just scrunch up the bubble wrap and pat it into the wet paint. You’ll be amazed at the results. A Pringle’s potato chip can makes a great caddy for a ball of yarn. Cut a small hole in the lid and place the yarn ball inside. The yarn will unroll as you pull it and will keep you from chasing the yarn ball across the floor.
An empty paper milk carton will make a great mold for candles. Once a candle burns as much as possible, keep the small unburned bits of candle wax. When you have a container full, make a candle using the milk carton as a mold. Once the new candle has hardened, simply peel the carton away.
A piece of aluminum foil can replace your pot scrubber in a pinch. Wad the foil into a ball, add a bit of dishwashing liquid, and scrub away. While not recommended for use on non-stick pans, aluminum foil balls work especially well on cast iron.
Recycle small water bottles as containers for homemade bubble bath. Remove the label, decorate the outside with markers or paints, add a pretty ribbon, fill with bubble bath and give as a gift. Everyone has received an unwanted CD at one time or another. These can be easily recycled into coasters for drinks, driveway reflectors or made into shiny mobiles. Or use them under a chair or table leg as a carpet protector.
