Recycling is easier than ever these days, so we can all do our bit for the environment. But there are still bits we all get rid of regularly that we could potentially put to good use. Here are seven ways to do good with those commonly used household items:
1. Turn your leftover food into compost
Total food waste in the UK is thankfully falling, but there are still things we could do to bring that down even further.
Do you find yourself tossing out lots of food out on the daily? Think there must be a better way to deal with all the leftover goods? Well, you’re not wrong! Those leftovers could go to good use if you recycle them back into the ground. Just be sure you’re composting the right foods as the wrong ones can imbalance the otherwise nutrient-rich structure of other food and vegetation waste. Plus they’ll break down pretty slowly; and you don’t really want that.
There’s a handy guide here – Mother Nature will definitely thank you for your contribution.
2. Use empty water bottles or milk cartons to water your plants
After finishing a carton of milk or a large bottle of water, take a couple of seconds to decide whether you really need to throw it out with the rest of your rubbish. Milk cartons and/or plastic bottles can be reused too. You can use them to water plants around the house or if you’re feeling creative - try making a bird feeding device out of your used plastic bottles instead of tossing them in the bin. All the kit required to make this is super simple and you’ll be pretty happy with your efforts once all the birdies come flocking to your new hangout. Here’s a nifty guide on how to do just that.
3. Washing up liquid bottles are your friend
Need a better method to squeeze out that perfect dollop of pancake mix onto the pan, or perhaps you’re in need of a water squirter for hard to reach corners around your plant pot/s? How about turning your old Fairy liquid bottles into a tool that gets around both those things. Genius? We think so too.
4. Glass jars and old coffee canisters
From an accessory holder, to a vase, or even as a soap dispenser or candle... Glass mason jars can be used for so many different things around the house. Just be sure to wash them out thoroughly before turning them into something fun and practical. Curious about what you can transform these bad boys into? We particularly love the water candle idea – learn how to make it here!
5. Takeaway containers
Hooked on takeaways, but always end up chucking out the containers? Think twice! Instead why not recycle those containers by packing leftover food and storing this in your fridge. Better yet, the containers can even be recycled into lunchboxes for fresh new meals. Go sustainability!
6. Plastic bags
A pretty obvious sustainability hack is to avoid chucking out all the plastic bags you have accumulated in your home. There are so many different ways you can put those plastic bags to good use! Use them to line your rubbish bins, or just reuse them for your next grocery shop instead. Easy peasy.
7. Toothbrushes
Is your toothbrush coming to the end of its life cycle and you’re looking forward to throwing it out and replacing it with a brand new one? Stop right there. How about putting that old toothy aside for things like scrubbing hard to reach places, or washing it up and using it as a tool for future hair dyeing sessions?
All in all, your home is probably a treasure trove of items you can reuse, recycle, repurpose and so on. So jump on the bandwagon and change your perspective of throwing things away; because where is “away” anyway?