Reusing a Strawberry Basket

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Hello there!

Happy Hump Day! 

Lately, I’ve been in a crazy reuse mood so everything I see gets dissected and often times is recreated into something new. Last week, we bought a 2 flats of organic strawberries. I can hear you now, big deal.  It is a big deal in a sense because those flats come packed with individual plastic containers to keep the strawberries contained. The ONLY part I hate about purchasing strawberries is the pesky plastic green containers. They’re so nostalgic to me, actually. I can remember my grandma handing them to us to forage for the strawberries that grew in her yard and not to mention, all the strawberry shortcakes I’ve eaten … just something about them.

I did happen to notice the recycling symbol on the bottom of them now.Quite honestly, I don’t remember that always being the case. So, big green eco thumbs up!

After eating up all the delicious “super sweet” strawberries the plastic baskets began to pile up on  my kitchen counter top which became somewhat of an eye sore. Yes, I could just toss them into the recycle bin and be done with it; wipe my hands and walk away but lately I’ve been trying REALLY, REALLY hard to reuse things. I have always been good about it but I’m trying to take good to the next level.

Over the weekend, I was preparing a dish and cutting away at some veggies for din-din (and staring at the little green baskets),  … I instantly thought…”garbage bowl” after I scooped up some scraps and needed to find a place for them. They rescued the veggie scraps instantly and it made me a happy camper.

For those of you who watch Rachel Ray, you may be a fan of the “garbage bowl” already… for those of you who do not… well, simply put the “garbage bowl” is for all the food scraps to sit in while you prepare your meal. Granted, her kitchen bowl is twice the size of a strawberry basket but size doesn’t matter here, people. LOL!

It has seriously come in handy for all my kitchen scraps. Especially since most of the kitchen scraps go to the chickens & worms. The green baskets make it convenient to toss in all the waste as you go rather then tossing it into the garbage each time. I’ve been surprised at how much kitchen waste one little basket can fit and remain inside.Even garlic peels stayed inside

Granted, I won’t need that many “garbage bowls” but at least a couple will serve a purpose for awhile. The others are going back to the stand at the farmer’s market so they can be reused. I also have one in use for garlic bulbs! And… I’ve even used one as an Easter Basket (can’t find post with it pictured) for Tristan’s first Easter and will more than likely be doing it again for both this year!!! Just add reused paper stuffing or raffia to fill it up with and it’s ready for eggs or whatever you wish. Oh! and if you notice in the picture above there’s the agave bottle I’ve been waiting on (and the garlic bulbs are in the pic too- swear!).

Next time you get some strawberries reuse the green little basket as a kitchen scrap bowl, you’ll be happy you did!

Here are just a few other things I’m reusing:

* Piece of cotton from prenatal vitamin bottle; will be reused for crafts.

* 2 ice cream sticks; reused for crafts.

* Plastic case a necklace came in; keep my bobby pins inside.

* Very old Malt O Meal box; cut top open and poured baking soda inside for easy pour and no ‘poo regime.

* Plastic shoe case; have several of these in use for misc. crap objects.

* Jar tops; have several of these also for many uses… change holder, picture magnet frame and great for crafts.

Reusing is Rad!

What have you been reusing lately?

the {upcycled & recycled} Soda Tabs

Hi guys!

Happy Friday.

Today’s edition takes me back to my junior high days…

Back in junior high I was obsessed with soda tabs. I remember a dirty little rumor about them but at some point someone told me they could be recycled at the hospital for cash. I never understood why. It was almost like an urban legend sorta thing. Soda tabs & tootsie pop wrappers… I had a tin full of both!

Anywho, I knew other people who were collecting soda tabs so I just went along with it. After looking it up on snopes, I feel like such a goober. LOL!  According to snopes it IS an urban legend and the tabs are collected for kidney dialysis. Apparently, Ronald McDonald still accepts and recycles soda tabs. Who knew? Interesting, to say the least.

Besides recycling soda tabs why not use/save them to create something for yourself or someone else!

I love the idea of crocheting with “pop tops”.

::uber upcycle cuteness::

How about learning to make a belt from soda tabs

OR

you can always download an ebook called Keeping Tabs and start upcycling with soda tabs right away.

This video will show you how to make a bracelet… which seems easy enough for me to do.

Except, we don’t normally buy soda pop so that could take awhile! 

Oh, and if you like the earrings above you can get them here.

As always Etsy is a great source to find upcycled fashions!

Have a marvy weekend everyone.

Have you upcycled anything lately?

5 Ways to Reuse a Mylar Balloon

Hiya! TGIF!!!

Last week, the eco tot came home with this Mylar balloon. Apparently, one of the personnel from Vons grocery store was taking down holiday inventory and gave it to him (he was with grandma). I wanted to cringe when I saw it! I’m not fond of them because they don’t break down easily. Which as you know is bad for the planet!  Tons of them get tossed into the trash and end up in landfills to sit and rot for a LONG time.

We always try to follow the REDUCE, REUSE & RECYCLE hierarchy whenever possible…

But, after tossing the Crayola markers and a comment left from Evergreen; I vowed to look at the 3R’s hierarchy more often and consider the REUSE rule more patiently and carefully.

So, I looked at the shiny Mylar balloon sitting in our living room beginning to deflate and thought about it’s second life, maybe even third, perhaps; fourth.

AND

Here’s what I came up with!

5 WAYS TO REUSE A MYLAR BALLOON:

1. Reflate it! Mylar balloons can be properly deflated and used again. Your local party store may or may not properly deflate your balloon. The trick is to keep the valve inside the balloon intact. If you’re feeling tricky and think you can do it yourself … check out these instructions. Seems easy enough!

2. Use it as gift wrap. Turn it inside out or use as is!

3. Cut up into long strips and use as stuffing. Put into easter baskets, gift bags, shipping boxes etc.

4. Save for  scrapbooking, decoupage, or a craft project. Cut out letters & shapes, etc.

5. Turn it into a pinata (my favorite idea) !! The eco tot’s 3rd birthday is on the way (I’m already scheming on ideas). Last year, we attempted to reuse a latex balloon. Things would’ve been fine except  that it popped by accident (our fault). Just fill balloon up with your little ones favorite treats; preferably eco friendly ones and secure bottom- then hang with some twine. Instant pinata!

The balloon also has a clip (weight) attached to it. I plan to reuse it as a “chip clip”. Even though, I don’t normally buy chips they come in handy for securing other miscellaneous items.

Do you have any suggestions? What have you done in the past with these metallic celebratory messages?

Have a great weekend.

Get Crayola to Recycle Their Markers!!!

Photo credit: via bojudge

Hola dear readers! Baby C is teething so I apologize there wasn’t a {Meatless Monday} post.

Today, while I was on Facebook (another great way to connect with others) I came across a group called

Take Back The Markers: Help Convince Crayola To Recycle Their Markers.

Wonderful! I thought. Just the other day, I finally tossed out 3 old marker boxes (luckily, I was able to recycle the paper box they came in). Their classic colors, scented and a bold pack that had a “painters” tip on it. I was a huge marker junkie way back in the day.  These were seriously Circo 1993!! I’ve read articles in the past about Crayola not recycling their markers so I shamefully tossed them into the trash after allowing the eco tot to reuse them several times as paint brushes.

I let him dip them in water to get the color out the first time but they were so old it really didn’t do much and when we dipped it into paint it was a little messy but it did do the trick.

They finally got their doom’s day though. I would of been much happier tossing them into a recycle bin!

So, back to the facebook group; what a great way to get others involved and to spread the word about this. Crayola should be recycling their old markers. All the plastic that goes to waste and toxic crap going into the environment from the ink could be avoided. So, if you’re like me and want to see Crayola start recycling their markers then join this group. Apparently, Crayola recycles the excess plastic from the tube making process but do not accept old markers to recycle. Why not accept old marker tubes and recycle them too?

BUT

Most importantly write to them via snail mail. That’s right get out the paper and pencil and write a good ole’ fashion letter to them (most effective way).

“Crayola makes 500 million markers every year. Crayola markers are made from polypropylene #5 plastic, not widely accepted at recycling facilities. Let’s urge Crayola to take back their markers and recycle them into new markers.”

Update:

After joining the campaign I found out Terracycle will accept Crayola markers as part of their Writing Instruments Brigade

TerraCycle accepts Crayola markers for upcycle/recycle through its Writing Instruments Brigade! TerraCycle makes affordable, eco-friendly products (to sell) from a wide range of different non-recyclable waste materials. They will pay .02 per marker (and pay for postage to mail the markers to them) and you can designa te the money to a non-profit of your choice.

Please take note that Crayola is not listed on the Terracycle website yet but are proudly accepting their markers. Also, be sure to check out the list of other product waste they accept. You’ll be surprised!!! It’s worth looking into- Makes me wonder how many schools in my town are participating in this? Maybe it’s time to start a brigade! I’m going to at least spread the word to some of the teacher I know; that’s for sure!

Also, Beth Terry @ Fake Plastic Fish started a forum at her site and has included the Take Back the Markers campaign! She is a chock full of knowledge when it comes to environmental activism and getting a company to make the “green” switch. What a great way to help spread the word and get this action started.

Crayola start recycling your markers! Please!!

Recycle Your Day, America + Green Mom’s Carnival!

**Attention: GREEN MOM’S CARNIVAL at end of this post!

Ever wonder where the title Recycle Your Day came from? To make a long story short, in my opinion, recycling is one of the easiest forms to contribute in helping to save the planet and within our day we do what’s necessary to improve the planet from recycling to wearing your jeans over and over again. It all happens within our day and starts all over again the next. So, there you have it; the root of my reasoning in a nut shell.

Tomorrow is America Recycles Day. Do you have any plans to celebrate? Last year our local bowling alley had a recycling drive but this year it seems to be quiet. Nothing has been coordinated and of course by the time I checked in it was too late to plan anything. I don’t think I’m going to let this happen again next year. November 15th is actually a pretty significant day for me- not only is it America Recycle’s Day, but  it’s also my parent’s 34th anniversary and my sister’s 33rd birthday too!

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the {upcycled & recycled} vases that fold & wreaths that last!

Ever heard of eco-artware.com? Me neither. Not until I stumbled upon their unique online shop the other day then realized I’d been following them on twitter for some time  LOL! 

eco-artware carries gifts that have been recycled, reused or made with natural materials. A perfect feature for the {upcycled and recycled} series this week. I say, get an early start this year and take advantage of stay at home shopping.

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Ziploc Bags: A Wonderful Solution!

Just a quick check in to let you know things are still in place as far as a cleanup around here. You’re about to witness a new face here at RYD and other changes. Basically, it will be a bit more organized and focused…not so scattered like my brain these days!!! At least that’s the plan anyway- LOL!

I’m pretty pumped about the change and hope you will help me embrace it. I hope to bring you more surprises as we revamp…stay tuned!

Aside from the new look- I have a question for you…

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A Greener Shaving Solution: RetroRazor

Okay, so it’s been a month since I’ve discussed my experience about the Ditch the Disposables challenge. Just a reminder in case some of you are new… I challenged myself to do away with disposable razors. I’ve found the perfect solution too! My goal was to try and find an eco friendly wax of some sort…which I did come across at the Whole Foods Market.

It sounded like a great solution until I realized that it too was disposable in some way. After a few uses I’d have to buy a brand new box again. Plus, I’m still leaving trash behind (if not more)…wax paper- the tin the wax came in, the paper box etc. (all recyclable -but still!)  One method came with a plastic applicator just depending on how you wanted to apply it.

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the {upcycled & recycled} jean junkie + Fair Indigo

Photo credit: bluryee (via Flickr)

I’m a jean junkie! Plain and simple. I love jeans. I’ve worn the heck of most of the jeans I own. A few of the jeans I own are from thrift stores and happen to be some my favorites. I don’t mind if they’re holey, faded or patched! Jeans are my comfort wear!

My mom once told me jeans can be worn more than once. So, I wear a pair of jeans up to a week  sometimes. I think the more worn in they are the better! They become you’re best friends. Besides,  I like know I’m saving a little water and soap while I’m re wearing! Anytime is a good time to wear a pair of jeans and one day that I’ll get the opportunity to buy a pair of organic jeans! 

Did you know that you know that jeans- aka denim, is being used in sustainable building?

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the {upcycled & recycled}Why I Love Preserve

About a month ago, our Costco collection of toothbrushes came to an end! While on a quick run into Trader Joe’s I saw these Preserve toothbrushes and decided to purchase them. I’d read a lot about them previously and figured it was the best eco option. We’ve been using them for a couple weeks now and like them.

I love all the features about Preserve products! I honestly can’t believe I haven’t invested in their products sooner. I’m thrilled to share the wonderful information with you.

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