Upcycling is a method of converting old or useless items into something new or valuable again. This is a popular trend in the green movement, as it is an extension of the "reuse" portion of the mantra, "reduce, reuse, recycle."
One item that is easily made at home through upcycling is a wind chime. Wind chimes can be bought easily, but making them with what many deem as trash is a fun exercise, especially for kids. There are many ways to go about this, depending on what upcycling supplies you have at your disposal.
If you have an empty, used tin can, you
Gifts to Warm Your Heart
by Jennifer Patterson Lorenzetti December 9th, 2011 | Household Hints
Winter holidays make gifts of warmth particularly appreciated. Items that help the recipient ward off a chill are always welcome and always used. One of my favorite gifts to make and give is bed warmers, and their smaller companion, hand warmers. Around my house, we call bed warmers “knee thingies,” owing to their ability to not only warm a bed, but also to soothe a sore muscle or joint.
To make a bed warmer, hit your fabric stash or look at the remnant rack at your favorite fabric store. You are looking for a piece of fabric that will feel cozy
To make a bed warmer, hit your fabric stash or look at the remnant rack at your favorite fabric store. You are looking for a piece of fabric that will feel cozy
Plastic Bottles
by Mackenzie M. October 27th, 2011 | 30 Second Tip
Today’s tip focuses on the reuse portion of the green motto. As stated in a past post, one of the best ways to be green is to reuse empty plastic squeeze bottles. Refill them with soap, lotion, or even homemade dressings. Another idea is to use plastic bottles for craft projects. If you are creative, or are looking for a project for the kids this winter, there are numerous websites with great ideas that are not only fun, but that will reduce your family’s plastic consumption! One idea - remove the top third of a water bottle, decorate, and use
Plastic Bags
by Lori S. July 22nd, 2011 | 30 Second Tip
Do you like to work on craft projects, and are you looking for another way to recycle plastic bags? Why not try crocheting a one of a kind tote using the many bags you've collected? Dozens of patterns on the Internet provide step-by-step "how to's" for this project. Styles available range from diaper bags to large purses, with everything in between. Basically, you cut the bags into strips, then the strips are fashioned into rows, just like you would use yarn. Most patterns suggest adding straps, a closure, and a lining. Not only are the bags eco-freindly, they are
The Lazy Environmentalist Papers Things Over
by Angela Yorke May 11th, 2011 | Easy Ideas, Environment, Recycle, Reduce, Reuse, Sustainability
As with plastic, many people would be at a loss for what to do if paper suddenly vanished from their lives. Aside from reading the news online or watching it on TV, a bit more effort can be made to preserve the resources used to make paper.
Reduce Reducing the amount of paper waste a household generates usually entails a drastic change in shopping habits, but how many things are wrapped in paper these days anyway? Have you thought of the sleeve that comes with your morning cuppa? It’s made of textured paperboard, and is disposed of without a second
Reduce Reducing the amount of paper waste a household generates usually entails a drastic change in shopping habits, but how many things are wrapped in paper these days anyway? Have you thought of the sleeve that comes with your morning cuppa? It’s made of textured paperboard, and is disposed of without a second
