Guest Post: 7 Things You Should Reuse or Recycle

The way we live these days is making it difficult for the environment to be healthy and in the longer term it’s going to impact our ability to survive. We have become strange creatures, who buy more than we need, don’t even get the full use out of our products, and then throw them away and buy new ones. As a result, our world is filling up with our garbage. One of the best things you can do for the environment and hence yourself, is to squeeze every bit of use you can out of your items. The following seven things are great items to ensure make it around the block a few times.

Promotional Bags

They really can last quite a long time! Whatever you initially got the paper bag for, whether it was buying mushrooms or stationary, take your bags with you next time you go shopping and reuse your bag, rather than getting a fresh one every time. You could even use recyclable green bags to save money!

Shopping

Think about it, getting plastic bags every time you get your groceries is kind of a mindless thing to do. Even if you then use those plastic bags for garbage at home, there are always way more of them than you can use. Get yourself a reusable cloth shopping bag or two and take them with you when you shop. Regular plastic bags take a long time to decompose, so save the earth will appreciate having a few less to deal with.

Glass Jars

Glass is an amazing invention as it lasts a really long time, and glass jars are one of the most reusable items in our households. Keep your jars and use them to store leftovers, as a great place to keep dry foods away from critters, or even to use as cups.

Clothes

You can look good without buying your clothes new, and in fact if you don’t just want to look like everyone else, getting your clothes second hand is the way to do it. Create your own style by digging up that awesome dress or jacket, save money and have more fun doing your clothes shopping.

Furniture

Another thing our landfills are full of is furniture, most of it in great condition. Don’t be fooled by marketing and advertisements telling you need new furniture when you don’t. If it’s a change of look you are after, you will have far more choice of styles with second hand furniture anyway.

Books

This seems obvious but some people still don’t get it, you don’t need a book to be new in order to be able to read it. Even if you absolutely can’t find a book that is totally necessary for you to read, go to the library and get them to order it in for you. Otherwise, buy second hand books.

Coffee Cups

Disposable coffee cups are an environmental disaster, unless you are lucky enough to find a place that has biodegradable ones. Make an investment and get yourself a reusable coffee mug, otherwise, keep your disposable coffee cup, rinse it out and get a few extra uses out of it.

Reusing and recycling is just a smart thing to do. There is only so much room on the planet for our endlessly accumulating stuff. Make sure your grandkids aren’t suffocating in your garbage, reuse and recycle.