ys to Reuse Them
This is the most important resource and one we seem to waste the most. Adding a grey water system for your home can help reuse this resource for flushing an indoor toilet, cleaning laundry, fire protection, washing your car or use it for outdoor garden irrigation. As well, consider installing shower heads that conserve water.
2. Paper towels
How many of these do you throw away each day? Paper towels used for drying hands, or wiping up or can be reused for future cleanup jobs. Further, if using natural cleaning products then you can add them to your compost pile. Investing in cloth dish towels will permanently stop this trash item and help you save money at the same time.
3. Plastic liter soda bottles
This is a very versatile trash item that can be utilized in multiple ways. You can make self-watering pots, grow onions, make a homemade fly trap, and even create a drip irrigation system for your garden. You can also reuse them on the homestead to bottle feed baby livestock.
4. Papers from school or homework
If you cant go paperless, consider shredding paper and using it in litter boxes or added to compost pile. Note: Keep your earthworms happy and ensure that the ink is soy-based.
5. Yogurt cups
Save your yogurt cups and make seed pots. Simply, pierce holes in the bottom and add seed starting soil mix and some seeds. Or, use them as a spill-free paint container for kids
6. Plastic berry containers
These make great mini greenhouses. You can also store sewing supplies, use them by your sink to hold sponges, store homegrown fruits and vegetables, or even make shrinky-dinks.
7. Ziploc bags
We frequently throw these out. By purchasing the heavy duty versions of these plastic bags, they can easily be washed and reused. I used this bottle drying rack to set my bags to dry. They can be also reused for storing food and snacks, small toys, medication, receipts or coupons, or use them to store first aid supplies for a miniature first aid kit. Word of caution: Hand wash and air dry your bags. Ziploc bags have a melting point of 195 degrees F, so never boil them.
8. Old socks
Those missing socks can serve another purpose rather than laboring over trying to find its match. Many of us use them as handy dust cleaners, but they can have other uses. Make a chew toy for your furry friend by tying a knot in the center, or add some catnip to a sock and knot at the top. Use for aromatherapy purposes: Take an old knee-high sock, fill it with white rice and a few drops of your favorite essential oil, and tie the end closed. When you have an aching, sore, or tight muscle, place the sock in the microwave to warm for a few seconds and place it around your neck, on your arm, or wherever relief is needed.
Snagged pairs of pantyhose can serve more than one purpose, as well. They can be used in the garden to secure low hanging fruit for support. Also, they can be used as makeshift pot scrubbers, can be used to tie rolls of newspapers together for future biomass fire logs, can be put on as a glove to test sanded wood for any snags. You can also make a handy-dandy soap on a rope, or line your flower pots with your old pantyhose to prevent soil from coming out between watering. Some have even used them to store potpourri and placed into drawers.
10. Egg shells
These are my all-time favorite trash item. Eggshells are so versatile, I could write an entire article on how to use them. Here are a few of my faves: start seedlings in it, add crushed shells to compost or feed them to your chickens for a calcium boost, add to garden for added calcium. Crushed eggshells are also great for scrubbing pots and pans too.
11. Wood ashes
I want to emphasize these ashes should be made from natural wood, not the chemical logs you buy at the store. Natural wood ash is a great source for mineral-rich dust that has practical uses. It strengthens plants that love calcium, such as tomatoes, vineyards, beans, spinach, peas, avocados, garlic, and even rose bushes. Add 1/4 cup ash before planting, It can also be sprinkled on plants to help winterize them before fro