Eco Friendly Products Re-Use
In this series on eco friendly products – and what makes them ‘genuinely green’ – we’re using the mantra “reduce, re-use, recycle’ to help easily identify the right products.
Having looked at Reduce (less packaging, fewer chemicals) (and don’t believe all the labels!), we’re now going to look at Re-use.
There are 2 main ways of re-using an eco friendly product:
- A new product that you will re-use many times
- A product that is not new, that you will re-use
New Products, to be Re-used
Products made from plastic are generally considered ‘bad’ because plastic is made from petroleum (a non-renewable resource which pollutes during its extraction, use and disposal).
However, there is no denying that plastic is very useful.
For example, having moved from a very dry climate to my little tropical island, I discovered that I could no longer leave food in its original packaging, as it spoiled quickly.
So I invested in a number of air- and liquid-tight plastic containers. They were very well priced (because everyone uses them here) and good quality. I re-use them all the time. They’re much more eco-friendly than disposable zip-seal bags, and when they eventually ‘die’ I can recycle them.
(Glass containers would be even more eco-friendly, but here they are hugely expensive with little selection, and I can’t re-cycle glass anywhere on the island – so you always need to look at your own specific circumstances).
Other examples of new products to re-use are tote bags or shopping bags which you re-use constantly.
Tip: if you have plastic grocery bags, re-use them as garbage bin liners or even for more shopping – most will cope with more than load (and they fold up really small for storage). There’s always another use somewhere around the home or office for plastic bags.
Re-used Products
A used item is more of an eco friendly product than a new item, because
- It is one less new thing that needs to be manufactured
- It prevents an item ending up in landfill
Particularly in today’s economic climate, it makes sense to visit market stalls, car boot sales and charity or thrift shops, as well as online (eBay, Craigslist). You’ll gain new furniture, toys and clothes at bargain prices, and most items are in excellent condition.
Re-using also includes re-purposing. Here are some easy examples:
- re-use old cans as planters for herbs or small flowers,
- re-use an empty wine bottle as a vase,
- re-use old glass jars to store odd-and-ends,
- re-use old clothes as cushion covers or dusters,
- re-use scrap paper as a notebook or for kids drawings,
- re-use old newspaper and cardboard as packing material for postage or when moving house or storing items.
Next: eco friendly products are Recycled
Phot Credits: reuse = passionategreen.net
reduce reuse= photobucket.com
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Well said. I was glad to notice that my daughters [ 13 and 16 ] are becoming aware of “green” and “ecofriendly” at their young ages. I expect the world will be a bit greener with their help.
I’ll pass these tips along.
Be Well.
Jc
Clare,
I find you re-using tips very benefitial. To me the one that explains about how re-use old cans as planters for herbs or small flowers. Great tips.
Thank you
Just was reading about plants that repel mosquitos and planning to put them on my patio at my new office…will use some old cans to get them started!
Sonya Lenzo
I love my reusable shopping bags!
I knew a lady who would save the plastic bags that bread came in half. Then she would take the half with two open ends, go to her sewing machine and sew one end shut, making herself two bags from storing things in.
Suzanne
Wow, that’s creative! Good for her!
My wife re-uses the plastic grocery bags as garbage sacks for our cars. Every little bit to make something last longer than it was originally intended for sure helps.
Yours In Health!
G.E. Moon II
Absolutely!
I have a staff member who is always thinking of how to re-use a product. For being so young she is very aware of how plastics and throw-aways affect the planet. She is a great reminder for me.
Yours In Health!
Dr. Wendy
Hi Clare,
Reusing products, I was researching how to reuse sawdust. Love your innovation!
Reuse sawdust – loads of options – use as mulch in the garden, or add to compost heap. Or use as kindling to light a fire in the home or while camping, or press into briquettes for barbecues…….
Hi Clare!
I use some of your tips already but need to implement a few others still…thanks for sharing them and making the world a more concious place.
Years ago, I was exporting mixed scrap paper to Taiwan. 40-foot Cans.
People there would hand sort – incredible – the contents (e.g. card stock, 20 lb, etc.) and ship it back to US for recycling.
Interestingly, at that time, there was no “standard” on percentage content to declare “Recycled”.
Is there now a standard … other than making napkins brown?
Regards,
Lyle
Walking our girls daily (2 large – 4 legged furry beings with longfluffy tails) gives us a great use for any plastic bags we can get our hands on. Reuse – good stuff!
I always try to re-use or to buy things that I can use repeatedly. I’m not always successful, but I do make an effort. Thanks for the great suggestions on how to re-use!
Cherie Miranda
Great tips as usual, Green Goddess,
I reuse boxes to ship our products and once in a while, will get a call from a customer about receiving their product in a previously used box. I explain to them that we try to re-use things as much as possible so as to care for the only Earth we have and encourage them to reuse the box if it is not completely tattered and frayed.
Stay Amazing, Neil
Just as you mentioned, I reuse plastic grocery bags as trash can liners. I use them for trash in my car as well. And the plastic food containers are filled up again as soon as they are emptied and washed in my house. Thanks for the tips too, there are several there that I will use.
Lisa McLellan
I really like the idea of reusing items as a way to reduce the impact on the environment. I wonder how many people threw away their straw and plastic easter baskets after the holiday when those could be used in many other ways.
Michael
I have implemented so many of your ideas already that I can’t wait each day for the next post to learn more.
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