Recycle Week: Re-use, Recycle and Save Money

Martyn1981

MSE_Andrea wrote: »

Recycling isn't timely. Simplistic, I know, but the more we can encourage people to reduce and recycle waste the bigger impact we can have on peoples' pockets and our environment

Absolutely true. But just checking, you did get the joke?

What I've found funny is that my father complains about re-cycling, and all the bother etc etc, but growing up we re-used everything, and he was the master of recycling one item into another. He even admits that cleaning out the shed and throwing away all the bits of wood 'that'll come in handy one day' nearly brings a tear to his eye. So it's odd that filling a single bag (very easy recycling system in Cardiff) is seen as a pain. All a matter of perspective I suppose.

I'm in my element packing cardboard boxes flat. How sad.

marrowgirl

just bumping this thread as I enjoyed reading it all and adding to the things I need to do. A few little ones from me.


*I use the oil cleansing method for cleaning my face and taking off make-up. A bit of coconut oil (decanted into a recycled face cream pot) and a flannel. I moisturise with coconut oil and use it on my hair too.
*we have a veggie swap at work. Those of us with gardens or allotments bring in our excess veg/fruit and swap it for something we can use. It also means if anyone buys a 3 for 2 deal at a supermarket we can all take advantage of that too so none goes to waste.
* our company is poor at recycling (I hate to see the skip outside) so my colleagues and I try to re-use what would get thrown away. E.g we use the plastic sheeting from packaging on our greenhouses or for covering our plants over winter. We do ask the boss before taking anything though!
*we use Furoshiki (fabric wrapping) for presents. So far mine is just old scarves from charity shops but I want to try printing/painting on an old sheet and cutting it up (then overlocking on a sewing machine). Otherwise my pressies to people have tended to be "wrapped" in a pretty bamboo or canvas bag which they can reuse for shopping etc.

Katiehound

Last weekend had a great time. The neighbours from h*** had moved (rented accommodation) leaving a whole line of washing flapping there for two weeks plus.

I asked the landlady if I could have the washing if she was going to bin it. Turns out there were 3 more bags of assorted clothes stored in the shed (in shop bought carriers too!)
Sorted through and washed some- it wasn't all clean
Result:
1+1/2 bags of reasonable clothes went to 'down market' charity shop where they believe in the 'pile it high, sell it cheap philosophy!'
1+1/2 bags of rags- tatty clothes, mucky (but clean) towels etc to the Hospice shop who will get paid rag weight.
1 pretty jumper given to dog walker's teenage daughter
1 child's rara net skirt, mended - to Hospice shop together with a framed embroidered picture
some sheeting + tablecloth- kept to make in doggy duvet covers for charity

and the best bit of recycling :T:
buggy bag, well I think that's what you might call it with showerproof black outer and yellow fleece lining. Rubbery picture on the outside peeling so not saleable and hood missing.
Took out the double ended zip to reuse elsewhere.
Turned the top layer into a very nice fleece lined showerproof hound coat. Perfect size Just had to buy 1.5 m of tape which ties round the tum. I don't think my girlie will mind that she has a 'pea green boat' on her back! Total expenditure: 80 pence!

Katiehound

Martyn1981 wrote: »

Perhaps the idea could be used over and over again?

That's what I do with my bank accounts, except it's not an idea- £1k cycles round between accounts to fulfil the minimum pay-in t&c requirements. True recycling!!!

Former_MSE_Andrea

Katiehound wrote: »

Last weekend had a great time. The neighbours from h*** had moved (rented accommodation) leaving a whole line of washing flapping there for two weeks plus.

I asked the landlady if I could have the washing if she was going to bin it. Turns out there were 3 more bags of assorted clothes stored in the shed (in shop bought carriers too!)
Sorted through and washed some- it wasn't all clean
Result:
1+1/2 bags of reasonable clothes went to 'down market' charity shop where they believe in the 'pile it high, sell it cheap philosophy!'
1+1/2 bags of rags- tatty clothes, mucky (but clean) towels etc to the Hospice shop who will get paid rag weight.
1 pretty jumper given to dog walker's teenage daughter
1 child's rara net skirt, mended - to Hospice shop together with a framed embroidered picture
some sheeting + tablecloth- kept to make in doggy duvet covers for charity

and the best bit of recycling :T:
buggy bag, well I think that's what you might call it with showerproof black outer and yellow fleece lining. Rubbery picture on the outside peeling so not saleable and hood missing.
Took out the double ended zip to reuse elsewhere.
Turned the top layer into a very nice fleece lined showerproof hound coat. Perfect size Just had to buy 1.5 m of tape which ties round the tum. I don't think my girlie will mind that she has a 'pea green boat' on her back! Total expenditure: 80 pence!

Please post a photo of the coat Katiehound. That sounds amazing!

Katiehound

MSE_Andrea wrote: »

Please post a photo of the coat Katiehound. That sounds amazing!

Sounds lame but I still don't know how to do that!

I actually don't have a photo- yet, but sure I could get my head round that problem. I just need to get madam to stand still and pose!

I have to say it's my most innovative bit of recycling to date!!

Former_MSE_Andrea

No worries! And feel free to just take a photo of it on a hanger. You don't need to have someone in it

Katiehound

MSE_Andrea wrote: »

No worries! And feel free to just take a photo of it on a hanger. You don't need to have someone in it

No it wouldn't look that good on a hanger, it needs a real live dog inside!! Need to wait for a nice day and a space, oh and a dog who is able to pose.
When I have the photo will then worry how to post it!

Martyn1981

Katiehound wrote: »

Last weekend had a great time. The neighbours from h*** had moved (rented accommodation) leaving a whole line of washing flapping there for two weeks plus.

Other people's rubbish!

I had lot's of lucky finds from builders fly tipping on a quiet road I used to cycle. If I saw anything interesting I'd put it aside and come back with the car later. Got an unused 3 pack of loft insulation, loads of timber, and 2 entire lengths of fascia boards (about 5m each) still with the protective plastic on - one of those is now the internal liner on the bathroom window!

I did spend half an hour sorting a load of driveway paving blocks, putting about 200 unused ones to one side - then when I got back with the car, all of my neat piles had been taken. Some you win!

Just used the old polycarbonate roof off our conservatory, when we had it replaced with a double glazed unit, to line the outside of the local cat rescue center now that cold and drizzle is getting in. I new it would come in handy one day ...... just like all the rest of the carp sitting in the shed (possibly not)?

Katiehound

MSE_Andrea wrote: »

No worries! And feel free to just take a photo of it on a hanger. You don't need to have someone in it

Okay, I have the photos taken, my girl is looking very hang dog (how apt!) as she had to wear coat but not go out for 'walkies'!! How mean could I get
Help please now.
How do I post them here?