Saturday, June 21, 2008

Refuse, Reuse and Repurpose!

I heard these new 3 R's not long ago, and I’m doing my best to adopt them. In my own small way I feel like I’m making a difference. But it’s not just about the little bit of trash I’m keeping out of the landfill. It’s about living in accordance with your beliefs and about setting the example for others. Hold your head up with pride when you go through the checkout with your repurposed and reusable grocery bags. People get into routines and do what’s normal and expected because … well, it’s normal and expected. So shake things up a little and create a new norm in your neighborhood!

Refuse!

“Paper or plastic?” Just say, “No, thank you.” There are lots of fun options for reusable grocery bags and totes. These are larger and much stronger than your standard plastic grocery bags. So refuse those flimsy bags, and rest assured that your new durable grocery totes won’t tear open on the walk home!









Fabric grocery bags


Cotton totes

Fun Tote

Reuse!

I reuse as much as I possibly can. My family teases me about never throwing anything out! I also reuse packaging materials for shipping my products, and I turn cardboard tea boxes and cereal boxes into candle packaging.

Choose reusable instead of disposable. Are you throwing out diapers or floor cleaning pads or menstrual pads? You don’t have to – there are reusable options! Of course there are many other reusable versions of disposable products that you can find of but this is just a few examples of some great products!


Moonpads


Mop covers

Diapers

Repurpose!

This one might be a bit more of a challenge for those who aren’t crafty types. But if you use your imagination I’m sure you can think of lots of everyday items that can be repurposed. The bags shown above made by http://zJayne.etsy.com are made out of old t-shirts. And something I’ve been playing with is crocheting using “plarn” which is made from strips of plastic retail bags. The EcoEtsy team has a blog with lots of ideas, including some fun projects for repurposing. http://ecoetsy.blogspot.com/ And while you’re there don’t forget to check out some of the great EcoEtsy member shops. Here are a few fun repurposed items.


Plarn tote


Fairy pendant

Funky bracelet

5 comments:

Unknown said...

Good for you, if we all did this a bit more (& I think we will as the price of gas bites into our pockets) thing would be better. The city I live in is in the process of banning plastic bags.

Jane Pierce aka zJayne said...

Great blogging and thank you SO much for including my tshirt market bags. I had to leave mine in my trunk to remember to have them with me at the grocery store. It became a habit and one I do feel good about too.

These are great finds ...som are new for me to find too. Thank you for sharing!

~waving,
zJayne
www.zjayne.etsy.com

Unknown said...

Really nice blog. I am on the EcoeEtsy team with Zlayne( I have Kootsac re-usable bags and Inkyspider). Her tshirt bags are so awesome. Just another example of creative innovative ideas from people who care about our precious planet.

CraftyDragon said...

Thanks for the comments! And morgen I've seen listings for your Kootsacs! Great idea! :)

Rascallion said...

Great selection, go green go!