Not only is recycling/reusing good for the Earth, it’s good for the soul. And the pocket book. And your organized home. Read on for some bite-sized “tiny tips” on clever ways to recycle and reuse while getting organized at the same time.
Candy boxes — They’re too pretty to lightly throw away, but what can you do with them? Well, if those adorable plastic little trays that fit perfectly into their boxes can organize candies, they can organize any sort of small object. Try storing jewelry, small office supplies, even screws or nails in them. Bonus: no calories!
Bread tabs — When you’re done using these flat little tabs to close your bag of bread, whip out a Sharpie and reuse the tab to label your computer cables. Instead of sitting in a landfill, your bread tab can be bringing order and reason to the cable spaghetti behind your desk.
Soda bottles and jugs — Jugs (bottles that have handles) are great for dogs: cut them in half and use the top as a scoop for kibble and the bottom as a portable, disposable water bowl for when you’re out walking. Cut off the bottom of a soda bottle to make a funnel.
Old makeup — If you’re not using the makeup anymore, it’s just clutter and it needs to go. But the packaging is so pretty, and sometimes it’s not recyclable. What to do? Bring your old makeup to an Origins counter at your local department store. Origins wants to keep cosmetic packaging out of landfills and they’re accepting all brands of bottles, tubes and jars. Aveda has a similar program, but only for Aveda products.
Pump soap dispensers — These are far too valuable to recycle. Rinse them out and refill with soap, lotion, conditioner or even mouthwash.
Old eyeglasses — If you still like the style, the greenest thing to do is to get new prescription lenses put in. But if you’re ready for all-new glasses, bring some old ones to the optometrist when you go. Almost all eyeglass retailers recycle them.
Altoid tins — These should never be recycled or thrown away, as they are among the craft-friendliest objects known to humankind. People have made camping stoves from them, flashlights, cameras, watercolor sets, candles and survival kits. Consider making “comfort kits” with lip balm, aspirin, tissue, money and whatever else you can’t do without and deploying them in your desk, car and various purses. If you can’t think of anything else to do with them, save them up and sell them on eBay. They fetch anywhere between $.50 and $1.00 each.