Category: Reuse

Choose an antique or vintage rug to save resources

3/1/2024

An antique or vintage carpet is unique, more sustainable than a new one, and shoppable online from trusted retailers.

An antique or vintage rug will become part of your family heirlooms. By purchasing one, you lessen the impact on resources that are used to make a new rug. You may also save material from reaching a landfill.

Read more here.

Choose secondhand items to give as gifts

12/22/2023

An unprecedented number of people will give and receive thrifted presents this year so don’t be afraid to embrace secondhand gifts, once stigmatized but now celebrated.

A profound shift has occurred in the way thrifted gifts are viewed by Americans. Gen Z is leading the charge.

Read more here.

Toss dryer balls in with your clothes rather than dryer sheets

12/15/2023

If you’re concerned about the health and safety of your family, you might want to stay away from both conventional dryer sheets and fabric softeners, say the editors of Scientific American. Wool dryer balls are a superb alternative.

Both dryer sheets and fabric softeners contain chemicals known to be toxic to people after sustained exposure. Dryer balls usually come as a set of three or six felted wool balls that you put in the dryer with your laundry. By bouncing around with the drying items, they work to separate layers and create air pockets to help fluff, soften, and reduce drying time.

Read more on this from Scientific American and Treehugger.com.

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Make your own or trade Halloween costumes

10/20/2023

Exchange, make, or buy Halloween costumes of natural materials to avoid store-bought ones that may contain PVC toxins.

The costume swap in Swarthmore Borough Hall, thrift stores, your own closet--these are all great places for costume inspiration.

Read more here:

https://nylcvef.org/citizens-toolkit/green-tips-eco-friendly-halloween/

Pack waste free lunches

9/22/2023

Packing lunches into reusable containers with real utensils and washable napkins not only cuts down on food and packaging waste but also saves you money on purchasing disposable items and small serving size packages.

Packing up lunch items into reusable containers eliminates the single use plastic sandwich bags and allows you to dispense the amount that will be eaten in a meal, cutting down wasting uneaten food. Buy larger quantities of snacks, carrots, applesauce, yogurt, or cheese, and just pack the quantity needed for one meal, saving you money compared to the pre-packaged single servings, which also produce a lot more trash. Dips, ketchup, sauces, and dressing can also be portioned into small reusable containers. Cloth napkins and stainless steel or bamboo utensils are great options for replacing the disposable ones. Pour water or other drinks into a reusable bottle, or use a thermos to keep drinks hot or cold for hours. Then pack everything in a reusable lunch box or bag! Bento box style lunch boxes offer a variety of options for container types and sizes.
See this article for other ideas.

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Make your own popsicles

8/25/2023

Make your own icy treats with high-quality stainless steel popsicle molds.

All popsicle molds reduce single-use waste and allow you to choose healthy ingredients but, compared to plastic or silicone molds, stainless steel molds are longer lasting, more dishwasher-hardy, and quickest to unmold.

Read more in this article.

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Carry home delicate produce in containers

5/26/2023

Bring hard sided containers, such as a dairy tub, to the Farmers Market to carry home strawberries and other loose, delicate produce without using a plastic bag.

Re-use take-out containers, dairy tubs, mason jars, or other hard sided containers to contain loose, delicate produce, such as strawberries, cherry tomatoes, plums and apricots. These containers will protect the produce from spilling or being bruised during the ride home. The Swarthmore Farmers Market no longer offers plastic bags at check-out. Bringing your own containers reduces the number of single-use bags used to contain loose produce. You can also bring your saved produce bags from the grocery store to hold larger items such as apples, cucumbers, and potatoes.

Use washcloths instead of disposable wet wipes

4/21/2023

Billions of disposable wet wipes are being added to the waste stream each year, clogging sewage systems and washing up on beaches, choking wildlife that attempt to consume them. Antibacterial chemicals in wipes in particular can be harmful to human health directly and by promoting the growth of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Reduce your own expenditures by using washcloths instead. See our green tip for Swedish dishcloths for a durable reusable alternative.

For more information on wet wipes, see this article in The Guardian.

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Waxed cotton food wraps are a reusable alternative to plastic cling film wrap

3/31/2023

Waxed cotton food wraps are made from fabric that is infused with a mixture of beeswax, tree resin, and jojoba oil. Using the warmth of your hand, it can be molded around food or a container, and its tackiness creates a seal comparable to plastic cling wrap. It can be used to cover containers or to wrap foods such as sandwiches or breads directly. Unlike cling wrap, waxed wraps are reusable: just rinse in cold water with a mild soap and air dry. They are commercially available at stores such as Trader Joe’s, HOM in Swarthmore, and the Swarthmore Farmers market, and they come in a variety of sizes. You can also make them yourself at home.

Read more about them at naturallivingideas.com:
https://www.naturallivingideas.com/plastic-wrap-alternatives/

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Mend jeans

3/2/2023

Creative mending will Keep favorite jeans going indefinitely and even enhance them.

Denim is like wine and cheese; it gets better with age. By repairing your loved jeans—either professionally or by yourself, you can extend the time you enjoy them, save money, lower your environmental footprint, and kick their style up a notch.

Read more here:

--https://denimhunters.com/how-to-repair-jeans/

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

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