Reusing and Recycling 101

August 13th, 2011

Green Goes Simple


Green Goes Simple: Conservation at Home

Reusing and Recycling 101

By Dana Goeglein for Green Goes Simple

You want to be green, but it’s hard to know the difference between reusing and recycling. Fortunately, it’s not that complicated. Recycling and reusing have the same goal: to keep items out of overflowing landfills. The two tactics just go about it in very different ways.

Recycling involves reprocessing an old item — such as a can, glass or newspaper — and turning it into something new. Recycled paper products may be reprocessed into toilet paper and old tires may become a compound used to resurface roads.

Reusing, on the other hand, means avoiding the reprocessing plant altogether. Old items like containers, bags and appliances can be used again in their current condition for a similar — or completely different — purpose. Takeout containers can be turned into food storage (think: free plastic containers!), and plastic bags can be transformed into waterproof liners for planters or drawers.

“Reusing extends the lifetime of a product, from the time it is purchased to the time it goes to a landfill [or recycling plant],” explains Janine Kubert, director of operations at iReuse, a company that helps businesses and individuals become better reusers.

When you extend the lifetime of a product, you not only reduce the need to buy something new (which takes energy to produce), but you also save on the energy it would take to recycle that product. “Reusing allows us to get the most out of our virgin products and raw materials, and aside from reducing consumption entirely, it is our best resource for waste reduction,” says Kubert.

Whether you’re an avid recycler or new to waste reduction, here are some simple ways to reuse and recycle every day:

Reuse

  • Reuse bags, boxes and containers. For example, turn old shoe boxes into storage containers, packaging for gifts or a treasure chest (have kids cut out pictures from magazines and glue them to the outside of the box for a customized container).
  • Rather than buying a new product, borrow, rent or share items you use infrequently or for a short period of time.
  • When babies and kids outgrow toys, books, cribs, high chairs and strollers, sell or donate the items rather than throw them away.
  • Invest in quality, durable products. You may spend more initially, but they’ll last longer, which saves you money over time.

Recycle

  • Become a full-circle recycler. Buy products that can be recycled; sort and discard them according to your community’s standards; and finally, purchase products made from post-recycled materials.
  • For more information about recyclable materials, check out the EPA’s website: Epa.gov/waste/conserve/rrr/recycle.htm.

Going Above and Beyond
While waste reduction starts at home, communities nationwide are forming around the premise that less is more. Freecycle (Freecycle.org) — started in Tucson, Ariz., before spreading throughout the U.S. — helps people be the best possible reusers. Through the Freecycle network, members are able to donate — or pick up — used products, such as appliances, furniture, toys and bikes.

In need of a reduce, reuse and recycle tutorial? Companies like iReuse (iReuse.com) give personalized consultations to help you reduce waste, donate reusable products and save money.

If you’re not sure about your community’s procedures or standards for reusing and recycling, check your town’s government Web site or ask a neighbor. Through community boards, donation banks and home and school recycling programs, it’s getting even easier to do more to waste less.

Dana Goeglein received a bachelor’s in creative writing from Sarah Lawrence College and a master’s in food studies from New York University. She is a writer, yoga instructor and whole foods educator in New York City, where she strives to help others create harmonious, connected lives.
Posted by ecomommy | August 13th, 2011 Filed in Uncategorized
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Buy Local – The SEEDSTORE in Inner Richmond San Francisco

June 7th, 2011

I was very happy to discover the SEEDSTORE today. It’s an amazing boutique that has many eco-friendly items – upcycled jewelry, vintage clothes, and awesome garage sale art work. If you live in the bay area I highly recommend you make a visit to this store. It is owned by two sisters that both have excellent taste.

SEEDSTORE
is a boutique and collaborative space that brings to the Inner Richmond men’s, and women’s apparel + vintage goods. Born out of love, sweat, and laughter of sisters, Jennifer and Cynthia Huie. We love fashion, music, art, and collecting. Our vision has been to create a space to display the fashion that we enjoy and share the stories of the designers and the love that they’ve put into their creations.

Posted by ecomommy | June 7th, 2011 Filed in Uncategorized
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Goodone – Fashion made with reclaimed fabrics

May 31st, 2011

Fashion created with reclaimed fabrics Goodone Biography.

Posted by ecomommy | May 31st, 2011 Filed in Uncategorized
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Cool Upcycled Leather Bags- reMade USA

October 21st, 2010

Some really cool bags made from old leather jackets – pricey but eco-chic reMade USA — Products.

Posted by ecomommy | October 21st, 2010 Filed in shopping
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Turn Something Old Into Something New

August 1st, 2010

Green Goes Simple: Family Footprints

Turn Something Old Into Something New

By Alison Baenen for Green Goes Simple

It’s easy to forget that the components of the classic sustainability slogan “reduce, reuse, recycle” are actually listed in order of importance. Recycling is undeniably significant, but reducing and reusing — using less and using something again — have a greater impact. Enter “upcycling.” It may sound like a tortuous spin class maneuver, but upcycling is nothing more than reusing with a twist.

The process of upcycling involves taking something old or unused and turning it into something usable — and often beautiful. The online arts and craft community Etsy.com has a seemingly endless amount of upcycled goods: Discarded fabric scraps morph into adorable dresses; buttons become earrings; and fallen timber is used as a canvas for cozy, chic wall hangings.

Want to give upcycling a shot? Read on for some tips and inspiration:

Getting Started

Start the upcycling process by finding something worthy of a second life. Meg Allan Cole, DIY expert and host of ThreadBanger’s (Threadbanger.com) Decor It Yourself web series, recommends shopping for used goods at thrift stores as well as Craigslist and stoop sales. And don’t forget your own closets: Cole turns garments handed down from her grandmother into beautiful upcycled clothing and accessories.

You can also look to nature for inspiration and materials. Home stylist guru Tim Neve’s beautiful driftwood lamps is a great project to do with the kids (find instructions at TimNeve.com). But of course, not all upcycling equipment can be found in nature. Cole recommends stocking up on a few basics: protective gloves, a glue gun, a staple gun, galvanized wire and a sewing machine. She’s found all of the above on Craigslist and at yard sales, making her projects even greener.

Finding Inspiration

Cole says the first step to a successful upcycling endeavor is changing your vision. “I’ve learned that you have to retrain how you see solutions,” she told us. “Instead of just buying something to solve a problem quickly, look at the resources you have and see how you can breathe new life into them.” For example, in honor of Earth Day, Cole turned a collection of old spoons — some of which she scooped up for cheap at thrift stores — into a gorgeous pendant lamp.

Upcycled projects can go from the simple (think DIY with your toddler) to the glamorous. Natalie Chanin, who heads the Vogue-vetted fashion label Alabama Chanin, makes her romantic, full-skirted dresses and exquisitely detailed outerwear from a combination of vintage, repurposed and organic fabrics hand-stitched by local artisans in or around her home base of Florence, Ala.

For Cole and plenty of other crafty types, materials may be cheap — or better yet, free — but inspiration is usually rich. Cole’s design idols range from Coco Chanel to Grey Gardens’ Edie Beale, not to mention a soft spot for the TV classic “Dallas.” First-time upcyclers should dream big, says Cole. “Keep your eyes open to what you’re drawn to, to where you find beauty,” she says. “Even if you don’t have a place for it now, you will.”

Alison Baenen is a freelance writer based in Brooklyn, N.Y. Her writing has appeared in Style.com, ContributingEditor.com, Epicurious.com and Concierge.com. In addition to editorial work, Alison is a copywriter for Theory, Gilt Groupe and PRPS.

Posted by ecomommy | August 1st, 2010 Filed in Uncategorized
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