In a recent post, I wrote about reducing, reusing, and recycling. There is so much more to be said on this topic, so let’s talk about it! Below is a list of some ideas on how to do this. You can start with easy items and go from there if you’d like.

• Repurposing old tshirts to rags or cutting them up and using them for scrap rugs!
• Reusing gift bags! I do this all the time! Saves money and waste.
• Reusing cards to make gift tags!
• Packing paper! We use it often to start fires in our woodstove. (I get mine from work, we get a lot of boxes and my colleagues know to save it for me)! You can also it for kids to color on or to wrap gifts with. This applies to newspaper too!
• Regifting. It’s okay to do this and if you’re not going to use something and you think someone else would enjoy it!
• Reusing glass jars! You can use them to can food, store dry goods on a shelf, or store leftovers.
• Repair items before just throwing them away or purchasing new ones! However, sometimes it makes more sense to replace vs repair; so ask about cost for both options.
• Reduce food waste! Find creative ways to use leftovers or make food you know your family will eat again. You can also freeze leftovers, which is so nice when you need a quick meal (think soups, chilis, bread, etc).
• Recycle pop/soda cans! This can save you money and help the environment! You can even watch for posts on social media. We had someone give us nearly $100 in pop cans one time.
• Reuse plastic/paper bags as trash bags! We do this all the time in our bathroom specifically. We also keep them in our diaper bag in case our baby has a stinky diaper while we’re out or blows out of her diaper and onto her clothes.
• On the flip side – reduce! Bring reusable bags to the grocery store instead of using plastic or paper ones! Some stores may even give you a discount for this.
• Recycle old glasses by donating them! Check out your local Lion’s Club for more details!
• Keep a reusable water bottle with you and refill it throughout the day!
• Reuse cardboard boxes. You can use them for starting campfires (or woodstove fires), for building forts with the kids, or to place gifts in and then wrap (a box is much easier to wrap then some things – like sports balls).
  

What other ideas do you have? Please share them below!