It's very tempting to throw things away or even drop them in a recycling bin when we are done with them. Is there a better way?
Share your ideas for extending the “lives” of the items that we buy and use, and their packaging as well!
Reuse & Repurpose
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There are many items we either misplace in the wrong bins or could use for better purposes. Several of these purposes include turning old fabric scraps into small wraps/covers for things we use every day or turning reusable scraps into containers. For example, torn shirts or leftover cloth can be tied around jars, bottles, or small containers to protect them or give them a better grip, while egg cartons could be used as containers for small items like beads and more. It is a very simple way to reuse something that would normally be thrown out and away. Another simple idea that could be implemented is using scraps as padding for fragile items instead of buying and wasting bubble wrap/packing paper. I came up with these ideas after looking into my own life and what I believe would be the most beneficial. There are tons of cardboard boxes that I could turn into containers, and many scraps of cloth I could use around the house as well. Reusing scraps and other materials like this is beneficial to the environment because it reduces the total amount of waste we throw away and cuts down on the need for new materials to be manufactured and produced.
In my area, there is no recycling. One thing I've done to help lower my carbon footprint is take my recycling, when possible, to my local Publix and Target where they have recycling bins available! When possible, too, I reuse glass jars to store dry goods such as beans, lentils, flour, sugar, etc. Not only does this help fight against microplastics in my food, but I'm also repurposing the jars, and not having to go out and buy empty glass storage bins.
love how you're finding ways to recycle items, that truly is great and admirable of you but the fact that your area has no recycling makes me think that this is an issue that you should call change for in your community. Although is is better to try to repurpose items as much as possible rather than just tossing items in the recycle bin, According to the EPA (US Environmental Protection Agency),having a recycling bin in your area would be beneficial as,"the recycling and composting of municipal solid waste (MSW or trash) saved over 193 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2018". Not only you but the community around you should start recycling in order to make a huge difference against carbon and greenhouse emissions.
One effect reducing and reusing would have on our environment is that it would decrease the amount of pollution and energy waste that is caused because of making new products. Simple ways of doing this include recycling materials such as paper and plastic. Another way more people can help with reducing and reusing is through donating used products such as electronics. Several people around the world buy the iphone model that comes out every year. According to New Tech Recycling, billions of phones are thrown out. Instead of throwing out the old phone, it would be smarter to donate the phone so that way, less phones need to be produced to satisfy the demand. This would save energy and therefore help decrease CO2 emissions.
An idea for reusing and repurposing that I have done before was turning a plastic milk jug into a watering can. It is extremely easy, and you do not need to buy a new plastic watering can. All you need to do is unscrew the cap, clean the jug, remove the cap, and make several small holes in the cap using a hammer and nail or a drill. Then, reattach the cap, fill the jug with water, and water your plants. It is truly a great solution!
Participating in the internet trend "Project Pan" helps people combat overconsumption, and encourages them to be more resourceful. "Project Pan" is a trend that gained popularity in the early 2010's where people use up all of their beauty and hygiene products before buying new ones. This also helps eliminate waste, and teaches people to only buy things that are necessary for them and that they will likely use.
I think that using plastic water bottles for just one time, and then throwing them out is really bad for the environment and contributes to climate change. This is because all of the trash in the landfills contribute to pollution, which hurts the growth of trees, and the trees help prevent climate change by producing oxygen. I think that instead of wasting and throwing away plastic bottles after one use, they can be used many times in the future, like normal reusable water bottles.
That is a brilliant point, plastic water bottles and other things that are not reusable can tremendously impact the wildlife and environment. Especially when littered around the streets these things a get washed up by rain into rivers and large bodies of water completely ruining the beauty of nature and when animals mistake these plastics for food can result in a horribly gruesome death. I agree with your idea about using these plastics multiple times an I think talking about these consequences to more people may make reusable water bottles appeal to more people instead of the plastic ones.
Yes, Jigesh. I agree that plastic water bottles should be used multiple times, or should maybe even be discontinued in general. Plastic items take an insane amount of time to break down and take up unecessary space in landfills. They can also end up in oceans where they mess with and even harm the marine wildlife.
We as humans should make sure that the plastics we use are not just going in the Environment. It's getting recycled and no just going to waste. We should make sure we pick up the trash that is in the ground and throw the stuff that is recyclable.
Recently my parents have been making me and my brother go through all of our old clothes from when we were younger, selecting the clothes that are not torn and are in more or less good condition, and then donating them to third-world countries with kids who are in need. While it is obviously a good thing to donate clothes to those who are in need, I also realized that donating used clothes help extend the usage life of said clothes, and therefore removes the environmental ails of manufacturing more clothes.
iexist ![]()
You can further this processes by passing clothes down from sibling to sibling, or even wearing damaged clothing at home, or to bed
It’s very tempting to throw things away or even drop them in a recycling bin when we’re done with them, but many items still have plenty of life left. By reusing and repurposing, we can reduce waste, save resources, and cut down on the energy needed to make new products. Simple actions like repairing broken items instead of replacing them, turning packaging into storage containers, or finding entirely new uses for everyday objects can make a big difference. For example, glass jars can become organizers for pens, buttons, or kitchen ingredients, old t-shirts can be turned into cleaning rags or tote bags, and cardboard boxes can be transformed into storage solutions or creative craft projects. Even food scraps can be repurposed into compost or used to make homemade broths, reducing organic waste. Digital tools and community initiatives also make it easier to give items a second life. Apps and online marketplaces allow us to donate, sell, or trade things we no longer need instead of sending them to landfills. Community repair workshops, clothing swaps, and upcycling programs provide opportunities to learn how to fix and creatively reuse items. By being creative and mindful about how we handle the products we buy, we not only extend their lifespan but also reduce the environmental impact of production, transport, and disposal. Repurposing packaging is another important step. Cardboard, plastic containers, jars, and even bubble wrap can be reused in everyday life instead of being discarded. For instance, packaging can be turned into planters, storage bins, or shipping materials. This mindset encourages thinking of products not just as single-use items but as resources with potential for multiple uses.
Lately i’ve been observing how often i use plastic bottles and i realised that there is somethings i could change. One way i could reduce my use of plastic bottles is by drinking water out of a cup instead of drinking bottled water while at home and if i do use a plastic bottle i could refill and reuse it instead of using a plastic bottle once and throwing it away. If you find yourself doing this to I hope you will consider this and do it.
One way to reduce plastic water bottles is to use reusable bottles made out of metal or glass.
In Scotland a law was passed single so shops and supermarkets could give away single use plastic bags for free, there is a minimum charge of £0.05 for a bag
This has really encouraged people to reuse plastic shopping bags or take their own bags
I agree that charging for plastic bags in supermarkets is a good decision. They started charging for them in Croatia too, and after a while people realized how useful it is in reducing the use of plastic. I would like to point out something even more useful that each of us can do. We can reuse some old clothing material and sew a cloth bag that can also be used multiple times and is more environmentally friendly.
Laws made like Scotland's can help reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that production of these plastic bags cause. Also these bags are not biodegradable and can last for years in landfills. Some plastic bags also end up in the ocean and animals have injuries or die from entanglement.
Supporting these statements on how the rise in plastic bags are reducing the overall carbon emissions is show in a study done by pubmedcentral.gov “the extensive usage of plastic bags has caused detrimental environmental damage, and an influx of research efforts have been undertaken to reduce people’s usage of plastic bags.” This proves the fact that plastic bags do harm the environment. Another study done by the same resource shows “Furthermore, when plastic carrier bags are priced at RMB 2.0, 81.2% of the surveyed consumers say they will stop buying them.” This shows that an increase in plastic bags will result in a reduced consumer base. Reducing the amount of people buying bags will ultimately result in less plastic bags released into the environment. This study proves the fact that a increase in plastic bag prices will result in less plastic bags in the environment which ultimately reduces the carbon emissions.
I really agree with this its a great way to stop plastic waste. This also makes plastic bags more valuable so now people don't have to just throw them anywhere.
Recently my parents have been making me and my brother go through all of our old clothes from when we were younger, selecting the clothes that are not torn and are in more or less good condition, and then donating them to third-world countries with kids who are in need. While it is obviously a good thing to donate clothes to those who are in need, I also realized that donating used clothes help extend the usage life of said clothes, and therefore removes the environmental ails of manufacturing more clothes.





