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Note from Sweet Greens: The following post on 6 ways to repurpose old items in your home is a sponsored post from Home Rehab Online writer Allison Lind. Allison is a home decor and home improvement expert who has extensively written on the topics since 2004. For two years, she worked with home improvement celebrity Ty Pennington, of ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.”

Our landfills are growing by the second — but there’s plenty that we can do to help, while also adding some extra functionality or style in our homes! Find decorating inspiration in these five unique ways to reuse items you already have. Mother Nature will be pleased.

1. Bottle Beauties
Instead of tossing empty glass wine, beer or soda bottles, take a look at them from a different angle. Many bottles have a beautiful shape or color, and could easily stand alone as decorative vases. For a modern look, consider painting the exterior of a bottle in a color that matches your home décor.

If your bottle has a label, soak it in hot sudsy water (use dishwashing detergent) for 5 or more minutes until the label becomes soft. Gently peel it away; use a scrub brush to remove any leftover residue. Before use, clean the insides of the bottles too — fill ¾ with warm water and a bit of dishwashing liquid. Cover the bottle with your finger or hand and give it a good shake. Rinse until the suds are gone and place upside down on a towel or dish rack to dry.

2. On a Roll
Empty toilet paper rolls are tossed in the trash faster than you can flush. Give them a new shot at life by using them to organize and store extra cords (the ones you’re not sure what they go to but you’re too afraid to toss them) to keep them from getting tangled. Wind a single cord into each empty paper roll and store side by side, standing up in a shoebox.

3. Book It
Do you have a pile of old books that you can’t bring yourself to get rid of but are just gathering dust? Opt for this unique idea: Purchase shelf brackets that are slightly smaller than the width of your favorite hardback books (from spine to opening). Secure the bracket to the wall and place the book on the bracket to create a decorative shelf. Stagger a few favorite tomes in a cohesive display and top with bud vases or small decorative items.

4. Display Case
Do you have an old cutlery tray that no longer has any use? Line the inside of the tray with pretty fabric or paper scraps — or paint it a favorite color. Attach small cabinet knobs and/or tiny hooks within each segment of the tray and use them to hang and organize favorite necklaces, bracelets and earrings.

5. Mad About Mason
Empty mason jars have so many reuses you might find yourself overwhelmed with the options. Here are some of our favorites:

• Fill the jar part way with sand or rocks and top with a tea light candle. A grouping of these beauties will provide lovely candlelight for an intimate gathering.
• Use them as single bud vases, grouping three or more together for extra effect.
• Use them as drinking glasses at backyard BBQs — and save the planet from more tossed-aside plastic cups.
• Store useful items such as sewing kits, colored pencils, ribbons, office supplies or any other items you find yourself stashing away in your junk drawer. The clear view allows you to easily see what’s inside so nothing ever feels too lost.
• Create a hanging vase or candle holder: Wrap sturdy wire around the opening of the jar (under a ridge so it’s secure). Then use another piece of wire to wrap through that first wire at two points to create a handle. Hang from a wall or garden hook and fill with flowers or a tea light candle.

6. Bonus Round!
Looking for even more ideas? Try these five quick-and-easy reuse ideas for everyday items:

• Turn old picture frames into cute little serving trays.
• Use old shower hooks to hang purses in your closet.
• An old hanging shoe rack can easily organize your pantry. Hang it on the door and separate snacks or spices in the pockets.
• Need more jewelry organization? Use a cupcake tray to hold small items.
• Use large clamp binder clips to keep computer and phone charger cords handy. Clip them to the edge of your desk and pull the cord end through the metal clamp hole.

Does your local area offer a recycling program? If so, you may be lucky enough that all you have to do is throw your recyclables in the recycling bin, then tote them to the curb on pick up day. However, did you know that in order for your recyclables to actually get recycled you need to follow a few simple tips? It’s true – first things first, you want to find out what items your local public works or recycling center can recycle, then follow these simple steps. 

1. Cleanliness Is Important
Cans, containers, bottles, and packaging caked in food and liquid aren’t going to make the cut. It makes it difficult to recycle if the bottles aren’t rinsed out. Also, please don’t tote your paper recyclables out to the curb while it is raining – wet paper and cardboard aren’t going to make the cut either.

2. Use The Right Bin
Depending on where you live and what type of recycling services are offered, you may or may not have several different colored bins for your recyclables. If you do have separate bins, please pay close attention to which recyclables go into which bin. Many bins will list on the side what items can be recycled in that particular bin. If not, please contact your recycling center and ask them which items you should be placing in each bin and stick to it!

3. Know What Is Recyclable? 
Just because your local recycling center recycles plastic – it doesn’t necessarily mean that they recycle all types of plastic. Check with your recycling center to find out which ones are suitable for recycling and then check the bottom of the item to find it’s recycling number. For example; our local Public Works Department does not recycle plastic milk and juice bottle caps. And many recycling centers do not recycle Styrofoam – it’s a good idea to find out what items your recycling center doesn’t recycle and then steer clear of those packaging options when doing your shopping.

4. Will They Pick Up Electronics, Household Items And Garden Debris? 
Not usually – again you will want to check with your local recycling center to find out what items they are able to recycle. A great resource for finding recycling centers for almost everything is Earth911.org – you can search by item and find a location in your area that can recycle it. However, if the item is in good working condition, please consider donating it – someone else most likely would love to have it! If you have a composter or your local community garden does – consider taking your garden debris there.

5. What About Hazardous Materials? 
These items usually need to be disposed of separately – again check with Earth911.org for local recycling centers. Hazardous materials include; batteries, motor oil, car batteries, pesticides, chemicals, paints etc; Also, many local grocery stores such as Whole Foods has recycling bins for batteries, plastic bags, and more.

Are you recycling properly? Or, are you guilty of throwing the milk jug and cap in the recycling bin?

photo via epSos.de

With a new year comes so many new possibilities. I think that is why we spend so much time reflecting on our goals and resolutions for the new year. We want to challenge ourselves to make even better choices for the upcoming year and writing them down is the first step. If saving money and the environment are at the top of your goal list for 2013 – check out my 7 ways to save both, read on and here’s to a happy, healthy, budget-friendly, and environment-saving new year!

#1: Rethink Your Budget
Many people set a budget at the beginning of each new year – however, most fall off of the budget bandwagon within the first month. The simple act of taking the time to set up a budget isn’t enough to actually stick with it. I highly recommend using a budgeting system such as Mint – which will allow you to see exactly where every single penny goes – and will alert you when you go over your budget for any category.

#2: Rethink Organization
If you aren’t organized, chances are you are wasting money and energy. For example, if you are running to the store because you can’t find something that you are positive you have in your home – you are wasting both money and energy. Organization is one of those things that ties everything else together – if you are organized you will easily see how you can save money and the environment. I suggest starting with your finances and then moving on to organize every room in your home.

#3: Rethink Energy, Water, and other Resources
Being conscious of the amount of energy, water and other resources that you are using in your home is the first step to green living. Next, it’s time to consider how you are using those resources. If you are taking 30 minute showers or filling that giant garden tub everyday – you should reconsider your bathing options. Instead of turning the heater up during the night, add a couple of blankets to your bed and during the day, throw on a sweater! The idea is to rethink how you are using our natural resources and then make tweaks to get the most bang from the environment’s buck.

#4: Rethink Your Kitchen
Our family has decided to rethink our kitchen this year – especially our refrigerator, freezer and pantry. Our main goal in the kitchen this year is to eat down our refrigerator, freezer and pantry each month. Our reason behind this – we want to utilize all of those food odds and ends that find their way to the back of the pantry, and the bottom of the refrigerator and freezer. We are planning on consuming a lot of smoothies and soups – since they are great for throwing in all of the leftover produce! The second part of our reasoning  – we want to eat all of the food that we have on hand before adding new items to our stock. Not only will we save money (since we won’t have to buy as many groceries each month), we are saving the environment by eating all of the food we have including some that may otherwise go to waste.

#5: Rethink, then Join a CSA
Are you less than impressed with the quality of your supermarket’s produce section? Or, are you tired of the less than stellar selection of organic produce? Have you considered joining a CSA? We joined a CSA a couple of months ago and the quality and quantity of produce that we are receiving definitely outshines anything we could find at the grocery store – and it’s organic too! The best part, our CSA is actually very affordable, we get to support a fantastic local organic farm and we are experimenting with new recipes every week!
 
#6: Rethink Fun
As a mother I know how easy it can be to spend money on entertainment. Also, as a green lifestyle writer, I can see how easy it can be to have an amazing time with your family without spending a dime. This is an area where if you add a little creativity, you will be amazed at how much fun your family can have. It’s the time that you spend with your family that matters, the activity is just an added bonus.

#7: Rethink the Way you Buy
It all comes down to this one question, “Do you need it?” I ask myself this question every time I am considering making a purchase – if the item isn’t something that we need, I skip it. If it is something that we need, then I try to find it via an eco-friendly vendor or second hand store. And although there will be purchases that you don’t necessarily need but want – that is alright, because all of those previous times you were able to say no.

#8: Rethink Your Eating
Eating out is expensive, if you are looking to save money in your budget – this is a great place to start. Not only is getting out expensive, many times the quality of food isn’t as good as what you could prepare at home. When you make your own meals, you can choose to use the freshest, whole ingredients and will get a lot more bang for your buck. This idea also goes for lunch, instead of picking up fast food or going out to lunch, spend a few minutes each morning making a healthy, organic lunch that you can take with you. This goes for your morning cup of Joe too – have a cup at home in the morning and if you need another one to-go, fill up your reusable mug on your way out the door.

#9: Rethink Your Cleaning Routine
Cleaning products in general are expensive – however, you don’t have to buy any cleaners when they are so simple to make at home. Cleaners are easy to make using a few ingredients that you most likely already have on hand. To get your started you started, here are my favorite diy laundry cleaners.

What ways are you rethinking your green strategy for the year – are these ways going to save you money in the new year too?

photo credit

Hello, Friends! Can you believe the holidays are upon us already! I have officially finished all of my gift shopping and diy projects! Now, I am ready to sit back and enjoy the rest of the holiday season. Have you finished getting your holiday gifts together? If you are looking for a quick, simple, and perfect last minute gift to give someone special – why not a succulent?

I adore succulents and will be giving them as gifts this holiday season. Watch for a great children’s diy project at Inhabitots next week! And would beam from ear to ear if I received a succulent garden this holiday season. In fact, while we were at the farmer’s market last weekend, I saw these fantastic succulent creations and thought they may inspire you to put together a succulent garden this holiday season.

Are you a fan of succulents? Have you ever given them as gifts?