Zero Waste Week - tell us your best upcycling and re-use tips

GreyQueen

skeeter93 wrote: »

I haven't had much luck with freecycle. Nobody wants my junk I put it down to my area, but I think my junk is just too junky.

That's a b*mmer. Do you have to clear out your whole house/ a relative's house? I got a vague impression that you had to do a lot at once?

kboss2010

GreyQueen wrote: »

That's a b*mmer. Do you have to clear out your whole house/ a relative's house? I got a vague impression that you had to do a lot at once?

Not at all, people give away all sorts of things they just don't want/need anymore. You can post almost anything.

skeeter93

I am downsizing my parents house - we are buying a smaller house together. They brought everything with them when we emigrated, a whole container load. Every time some rellies passed on, it seems we inherited it...

Former_MSE_Andrea

Hi everyone

We're looking into a possible free eyeliner when you hand in your old one so keep an eye on our Deals and the weekly Tips email

Katiehound

Love Ilona's bags....shame I have dogs and not cats !- well not really, but it has made me wonder if I could do anything with the plastic dog food sacks. thinks........

In the past we used to be able to buy useful bits and pieces for a song from the council tip. Sadly not anymore- it is actually illegal to remove anything from the site, so even if I had the courage to ask someone if I could have an item they are about to dump it's a no no. (Last week saw a nice lamp complete with shade and bulb go to landfill- what a waste- plus we have at least 2 charity shops which take electrical goods)

My big thing is making doggy duvets out of duvets which would go to landfill. It is now easier to buy a new one than clean the old. After cutting, washing, hemming and a pillow case type cover I sell them through a dog groomers and the money goes to charity.....well over £2000 to date.

Anyone got a use for jiffy bags? 3 carriers full and no takers on freecycle- I don't want to bin!

Former_MSE_Andrea

I have a question of my own.

A comment on the Makedoandmendyear blog mentioned the trays you get when you buy fish from supermarkets.

We eat quite a lot of fresh fish at home and I'd like to be able to do something with the trays rather than recycle them but they can be a bit stinky. Does anyone have any ideas for them? Perhaps in the garden but without attracting all the local cats?!

76rosie

i had to buy a super large wardrobe from ikea to keep my clothes tidy.

but my friend had dismantled my old ones and is going to make a shelf.

i've also bought very cheap reclaimed paint from a community project in leyton. 2.50 for dulux bathroom paint can't be bad.

GreyQueen

Have brought some stuff from the parental home and taken it to the recycling center (metals) and am feeling good about that. Have also retrieved 2 brand-new discarded screws from the carpark, thus saving someone a possible puncture. I think they may be just the right size for a wee project on Sunday, if not, they'll join the small stash of salvaged screws from whence I shall take better-fitting ones.

Also have donations, worn-out textiles for ragging and various other bits and bobs to re-purpose. Every little helps.

[Deleted User]

GreyQueen wrote: »

. Have also retrieved 2 brand-new discarded screws from the carpark, thus saving someone a possible puncture. I think they may be just the right size for a wee project on Sunday, if not, they'll join the small stash of salvaged screws from whence I shall take better-fitting ones.

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My late OH had a collection of several jam jars full of screws,nuts and bolts and the times it has been used its saved me a fortune in buying stuff.most big DIY stores will sell you a whopping packet (for a whopping price as well ) and sometimes you only need a few. I also have some jars of nails, and those white wire things that you use to tack wire down onto the skirting boards.I hate to bin anything if I can find a use for it.
Washed out trays metal or plastic I find a use for if possible and I even have a small lock'n'lock box with the free pepper and salt things my grandchildren get from MaccyDs.I take it with me when we go on our annual holidays and it saves having to buy condiments at our holiday house.Definitely nothing ever goes to waste .My DDs nick name for me is Frau Frugal:rotfl:comes from growing up with rationing and a frugal fiesty little Scots mum who never wasted anything.Recycling was normal in the post war days of the 1940s-50s

Lilyplonk

JackieO wrote: »

........... I even have a small lock'n'lock box with the free pepper and salt things my grandchildren get from MaccyDs.I take it with me when we go on our annual holidays and it saves having to buy condiments at our holiday house.......

I really begrudge having to buy Salt/Pepper/Vinegar when on SC holidays . I save those as well, JackieO and always take a small sealed box of them in the picnic bag :T. I've saved a couple of small salt/pepper tubs and now refill them from larger bags/packs. For going on holiday, I cover the holes with sellotape to stop spillage when travelling. I also collect brown/white sugar sachets whenever I have a coffee out, as I don't actually take sugar myself, but OH DOES - so it saves me having to buy a bag of sugar while away .