Waste Not, Want Not - what have you reused/recycled today?

SailorSam

danih wrote: »

We go through a lot of milk cartoons ever week,

I chop the plastic milk bottles in half and punch some holes in the bottom half before usung them as plant pots. No good if you want them on show, but to grow on seeds in the greenhouse.

kboss2010

Defrosted some chicken breasts which had slight freezer burn, chopped off the white bits and had the rest for dinner with several last bits of bags of frozen veg.

Used half of my (hardly used and taking up shelf space) stash of mixed seeds, nuts, almonds, raisins, cranberries and desiccated coconut to make some no-bake cereal bars (added maple syrup and peanut butter and then blended, squished into a tray and drizzled with melted dark chocolate - yum!)

Threw away two bags of flour today (they had weevils - yuk! I really need to buy more airtight boxes to keep my flour bags in)

Ladyluck1

I recycled a plastic Chinese container from my mum. As a lunchbox for me so I can pre make a few lunches at once!
Also made breadcrumbs for tonight's dinner (shnitzel) from 2 hm bread crusts.

I_want_a_baby

I just wanted to say how much I love this thread!

Used up three crates of apples which have gone wrinkly and soft.
Made a big batch of apple butter in the slow cooker and lots of stewed apple for the freezer.

All peelings have been stored in my newly created compost bucket (rather than thrown away as I would have before!).

Various cardboard, paper and plastic recycled.

Crusts from the loaf made into cheese toasties as a delicious way to use them up as they were slightly stale too.

I'll post later x

Minimalist

I'm not sure if this really counts as reuse / recycling, but I'm on a mission to use up all the random cosmetics I've got cluttering up the place, before I buy any more.

Based on my initial reconnaissance, this could be some time! It's amazing how many samples / travel size packs of shampoo, conditioner, moisturiser etc that I've managed to collect - not to mention all the half-used full-size bottles I've somehow managed to carelessly stash away in the cupboard without finishing. I'm sure there's a "use by" date, but they all seem fine and don't seem to have gone off or come to any harm from lurking around in my bathroom!

So I resolve to work my way through this interesting mix of products before buying myself any more - decluttering and saving money at the same time. I've said it now, so I'd better get on and do it!

MandM90

Anyone got any ideas for 5/6ths of a bottle of awful rose wine (Barefoot White Zinfandel...yick!!!)

Totally undrinkable, so I was thinking I might chuck it in my mushroom risotto, as it's quite fruity so might contrast well if I use goats cheese in the risotto?

his_missus

I_want_a_baby wrote: »

I just wanted to say how much I love this thread!

Used up three crates of apples which have gone wrinkly and soft.
Made a big batch of apple butter in the slow cooker and lots of stewed apple for the freezer.

x

What is apple butter and what do you use for/on?

Minimalist wrote: »

I'm not sure if this really counts as reuse / recycling, but I'm on a mission to use up all the random cosmetics I've got cluttering up the place, before I buy any more.

!:)

On the Health and Beauty Section there is a challenge dedicated to using up toiletries and cosmetics before buying new ones. You should have a look.

MandM90 wrote: »

Anyone got any ideas for 5/6ths of a bottle of awful rose wine (Barefoot White Zinfandel...yick!!!)

Totally undrinkable, so I was thinking I might chuck it in my mushroom risotto, as it's quite fruity so might contrast well if I use goats cheese in the risotto?

I suppose you could freeze it in portions and throw into gravy and sauces. it's what I do with yucky red wine. Never tried it with rose wine though... have a google, see if you can find any recipes for left over rose wine.

kboss2010

You can use rose wine in risottos or anything you would put white wine in

freebiequennie

Made a chicken n gammon pie from about 4-5 little bags frozen cooked chicken where. I bung in freezer when not enough left for a meal (after a few meals anyway) n some gammon that needed using, I actually made 2 pies yesterday n had half one for dinner the other half tonight n other is in freezer.

mothernerd

Loving all the cat/ spider tales. One of our cats (the most timid) once walked all the way round the outside edges of the kitchen, giving frequent fearful glances at the 'spider creature' in the middle of the floor - one of my sons black padded gloves.

Very little freaks out caretakers and cleaners. I worked as a pub cleaner for a while and pulling handfuls of cig butts and the occasional kebab out of the urinals before cleaning was an everyday experience, as was wading through 3" of water to de-clutter all the empty spirit bottles which had been hidden in the toilet cistern. Managed to get down 2 flights of stairs to my supervisor when I emptied a small bin into the bin bag and when I took my arm back out blood was pouring down my arm (someone had put an unmarked broken crystal tumbler in the waste bin - had to check what it was to fill out the accident report).

Our cats managed to get at the defrosting Christmas turkey one year. Fortunately they had only eaten from the point where they had chewed through the plastic wrapping, so I carefully cut round an inch away from where they had eaten and cooked the rest as usual.

On using up. I am currently eating my way through the contents of the freezer, including the things foraged from my DS2's freezer, prior to moving house and restocking in preparation for an operation/ Christmas.

DS1 has been to complete digging the back garden as I can no longer do it. The border is edged with re-used decking boards, the rest went to my allotment for raised beds. The plants in both front and back are mainly neighbour's rejects or started as tiny plants (lavender, holly and ivy) used for my Christmas window sills. The broken paving stones are edging the front and the planters on top were mine, given to my mum who painted them red and now returned here.

DS1 has also put the stair rail back on the attic stairs which have recently been restored using the original steps in a different position with supports made from posts bought to support garden panels.

My 'new to me' kitchen cost less than £500 including labour, the oven (13 months old) was being thrown out by someone else and any spare doors and cupboard bits have been cannibalised to make a new meter cupboard, doors for a space in the dining room and two meter cupboards at my old house (DS2 was renting until recently). All odds and ends of paint have been used up and after lining the attic stairs walls, I passed on the remainder of the roll to the mother of two young girls to be used as drawing paper.