2010 Tips of the Month

January |February| March

January Tip: 31 Ways to Reuse Household Items

Reusing items destined for recycling or garbage is a great way to reduce the amount of waste we produce. Here are 31 ways to reuse common household items:

1. Save plastic bread bags to use as sandwich bags.
2. Instead of using plastic carry bags supplied by grocery stores, save up bread bags and use those to buy bulk foods.
3. Reuse plastic bags as garbage can liners.
4. Use glass jars (i.e. pickle jars) to store food or odds and ends.
5. Take glass drink bottles and turn them into flower vases.
6. Use old margarine and yogurt containers to store leftovers.
7. Save mini shampoo and conditioner bottles to refill for travelling.
8. Collect rain water in milk jugs to water your plants.
9. Take single-sided paper, cut up into squares and make your own notepads.
10. Take used envelopes, place a blank label over the address and resend.
11. Use envelopes to store receipts, carry coupons or write grocery lists on.
12. Cut up old greeting cards and use as gift tags.
13. Cut up cereal boxes into magazine holders.
14. Wrap gifts in comic strips, magazines or newspaper.
15. Donate textile scraps, pens, pencils and old magazines to schools and daycares for craft projects.
16. Take used aluminum foil and use as a scouring pad.
17. Use meat trays as paint palettes.
18. Instead of using Styrofoam peanuts, use shredded paper for packaging.
19. Sprout seedlings in egg cartons prior to transplanting.
20. Punch holes in tin/aluminum cans and turn them into tea light holders.
21. Melt candles that are no longer usable and make new ones.
22. Take non-reusable clothing, cut up and reuse as cleaning cloths.
23. Revive unwearable band t-shirts by cutting out patches and sewing them onto canvas bags or plain t-shirts.
24. Fill old pantyhose with homemade potpourri and place in your drawers.
25. Use dryer lint to start a fire in your fireplace, wood burning stove or on your next camping trip.
26. Use spent fabric softener sheets to collect dust around the house.
27. To leave your windows clean and streak-free, use a vinegar solution and wipe with newspaper.
28. Use old toothbrushes to clean window sills and computer keyboards.
29. String together your unusable CDs/DVDs and make light catchers to hang in the yard.
30. Donate old eyeglasses to an organization that distributes them to those in need, like the Canadian National Institute for the Blind.
31. Have a hole in your garden hose? Poke more holes throughout the length and turn it into a sprinkler.

For additional information, contact the RCBC Recycling Hotline, Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm, and Saturdays 9am to 4pm at 604-732-9253 (Lower Mainland) or 1-800-667-4321 (province-wide).

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February Tip: Green Sports

Looking for a challenge? Take a page out of the 2010 Winter Games and incorporate sustainability into your sports! Here are a few tips on how to be green while keeping fit:

• Looking for equipment? Check out local sports consignment stores and reuse websites for used equipment in good condition. For a list of local sports consignment stores, contact the RCBC Recycling Hotline. For a list of reuse websites operating in BC, visit www.bc.reuses.com.
• Purchase equipment that is made from sustainable or recycled materials. For example, Arbor sells snowboards and surfboards made with bamboo and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified sustainable wood.
• Repair and reuse old gear before purchasing new gear. 
• Clothe yourself in organically grown cotton or recycled polyester sportswear. Mountain Equipment Co-Op (MEC) carries a line of eco-friendly clothing as well as PVC-free floatation equipment. 
• Fuel your body by snacking on an organic energy bar, for example a Clif Bar or a Bumblebar. 
• Use public transit or carpool to your destination. 
• Limit outdoor activities that require fuel, such as snowmobiling, as they contribute to air and noise pollution. Instead, take up zero emission activities, like surfing, cross-country skiing or kayaking. 
• Respect the surrounding environment. Do not leave behind litter, including food packaging or water bottles, and avoid disturbing local plants and animals.
• Support local organizations that work to preserve the environment in which you play, such as the Surfrider Foundation.

For additional information, contact the RCBC Recycling Hotline, Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm, and Saturdays 9am to 4pm at 604-732-9253 (Lower Mainland) or 1-800-667-4321 (province-wide).

March Tip of the Month: Renting over Buying

Before purchasing a new product, ask yourself will I use this product frequently? Is it costly to maintain and store? Is it worth buying? If it isn't worth buying, you might want to look into renting.

By renting you avoid the hassle of ownership, reduce the amount of natural resources (i.e. fossil fuels and timber) needed to create more of that product, reduce the amount of waste that ends up in the landfill because you are reusing and in many cases, save money!

Here are a few things that you can rent instead of buy:

• Need a car for the day? Look into a car sharing program, like ones offered by Co-Operative Auto Network or Zipcar. In cities with extensive public transit systems and walking/biking routes, car sharing is a great alternative to owning a vehicle. Due to the popularity of car sharing programs, many cities are now looking into or have set up bike sharing programs. For example, Montreal has the largest bike sharing program in North America.
• In need of home repairs? Instead of purchasing costly tools for a project, rent professional tools from your local hardware store. Many hardware stores offer hourly, daily, weekly and monthly professional tool rentals.
• Rent infrequently used home appliances, such as pressure washers and carpet cleaners. 
• Looking to take up a new hobby but don't know if it's for you? Rent sporting equipment instead of purchasing brand new ones, that way if it's not for you, it won't collect dust in your closet.
• Rent a plot at a community garden. Community gardens are open to the general public and are organized through neighbourhood groups. They provide food security by supplying communities with affordable and fresh produce. Visit City Farmer at www.cityfarmer.org, for a list of gardens in your community. 
• Going out for a special occasion and want to look your best? Rent an outfit! More and more retail outlets are offering clothing rentals. 
• Hosting a large party? Rent extra party supplies, such as utensils, plates and even decorations.

For additional information, contact the RCBC Recycling Hotline, Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm, and Saturdays 9am to 4pm at 604-732-9253 (Lower Mainland) or 1-800-667-4321 (province-wide).

Looking for 2009 Tips?  Click here.