"Repurposing" things - what have YOU done? Or what do you have that needs a purpose?

RuralDreams

Few things I've done:

- pallets - broken down and split for kindling. Built a compost bin for manure. Built log sheds from them

- old cloths/clothing - shredded into lengths and used as alternative to ties/string to fasten plants/flowers to canes

- garden pruning - any twigs and green waste is composted. Larger branches are cut and dried for kindling and very large branches or trunk are dried for the log burner

- broken washing machine - used the drum to make a fire pit

- old shed - all internal wood that could be salvaged was repurposed to make a potting shed come greenhouse. The plastic membrane from roof has been saved for a future project

- old kitchen worktops - became worktop benches in the shed

- old bed slats - became adjustable shelving for greenhouse. When the tomatoes grew tallied the slats were removed so could grow the full length.

- coffee jars - house screws, nails, clips, etc

That's just a couple of things from around our house and garden

Mee

What do people do with the bubble wrap inserts in fruit and veg containers? I know the whole packaging is less than eco-friendly, but would like to make some use of them.
Also, I noticed Poundland are selling moisture absorbent inserts for fridges. I normally use kitchen roll, but wondered whether using spare capillary matting would do the same thing (or stupid and wasteful)?

luvchocolate

I also use kitchen roll for the veg drawer but wondered about using a tea towel which of course can be washed

house_elf

Good Morning Folks,

Just popping in to say hi, as I have only just noticed you

I shall enjoy reading back.......

One of my latest re purposing, has been to use an old IKEA CD shelf as a plant trough. It is now the perfect home for 10 heather plants.

I don't expect the MDF will last very long in the rain, but it is quite a statement piece for this winter. :cool:

Have a lovely day

house_elf

Mee wrote: »

What do others do with the wax used to cover cheese? Can it be melted to make candles, or are there other uses?

One year, when DS2 was in primary school, he had one of those 'Baby' cheeses in his lunch every day.........we saved the wax, and at the end of the year, we made candles in a jar, (using glass yoghurt jars). He gave them as thank you presents to the staff. :cool:

I make candles in a jar with one of my 6th form groups. (I work in a special needs school). The staff collect used jar candles from Aldi, IKEA etc and we melt them, (old slow cooker and tin cans), clean the jars and then re pour them to make new candles. I buy wooden wicks from Amazon, so we don't have to mess about with string wicks :rotfl: They sell really well at school fairs etc.

Molly41

Repurposed an old table cloth and made some lovely napkins x

Mrs_Salad_Dodger

Large plank of kitchen floor tiling cut to make 2 sturdy cake boards - covered in foil.

JaneandBeth

For years I have used my frying-pan Fish Slice as a wallpaper scraper when we redecorate. My husband was horrified at first, but as I pointed out, it has rounded edges, so doesn't dig into the wall like a triangular scraper, the handle is long enough to reach up to the celing instead of having to balance on a chair or stepladder, and being metal it is perfectly safe to wash up and treat with boiling water to remove any of the anti-fungal products in the wallpaper paste. (I have since bought a non-scratch one for the new non-stick frying-pan so the metal fish slice is a permanent addition to the decorating equipment)

thriftysixty

As suggested the top half of a plastic bottle is very useful as a funnel and I use the bottom to protect new plant cuttings.

thriftysixty

Bottom half can be used to protect new plant cuttings.