Recycle vs. Upcycle
Recycling is a great habit. Why doom your trash to a smelly pile in some dump when you can give it a new start as recycled material? However, we often forget about another option: upcycling. Upcycling means reusing an item in a new or innovative way. So, instead of sending that old sweater to Goodwill, you can upcycle it into a unique tote bag. Express your creativity and get more use from your things when you upcycle!
Doggy Bags: Not Just for the Dogs
Scraps are everywhere, even on our plates. It has become common practice to scrape extra food straight into the trash bin or feed them to the dog. However, leftover food is a great opportunity to reduce waste. If you’re eating out, save that extra piece of chicken for your lunch the next day; if you are cooking at home, use the drippings to make stock or reuse the grease for your future cooking.
Garden Food
Scraps can be a great addition to your garden. If you don’t have time or space for composting, burying your leftover kitchen scraps in your garden beds will add rich nutrients to your soil. Why not feed your garden after you feed yourself? Add veggie scraps, hair and fur, paper, egg shells, and even lint!