Ways To Repurpose Everyday 'trash'

So many plastic containers, bottles, and items we throw away can have several uses. Here are some ideas for keeping at least some items out of the land fill.

The plastic 'clam shell' deli containers and the large ones that contain greens, etc. make excellent seed starting, mini-green houses. Place soil and seeds in one, water it, and close to give seeds a quicker start before spring planting.

Prescription bottles - I'm getting older (which beats the alternative) and seem to need more prescriptions than I used to. They are handy for small craft items (beads, pins,findings, etc.) or to store screws, nails, push pins and other small items in the junk drawer.

Milk jugs make great plant or seedling protectors. Simply cut off the bottom and set over seeds or young transplants to protect them from insects or early frosts. Take the cap off so the plants don't cook on unseasonably hot days. Milk and other plastic jugs are good to fill in empty spaces in a large freezer. Fill them with water and freeze and leave them in the freezer. It keeps the freezer from running so often trying to keep empty 'air' space cold. Also, if we have a power outage, they will keep your food frozen longer.

Glass jars and bottles from pickles, jams and sauces make great storage containers for home-made condiments and left overs and are free and healthier than plastic.

Have an office or community swap. We all have perfectly good clothing, household items and 'gifts' we've received that we don't want or need. So, once or twice a year host a swap. Items left over can be donated to a local charity shop afterwards. This way we clear out our clutter and maybe find something we truly need in the process.

Be creative and think about what an item can be used for after it's served it's original purpose. It can save you money and help heal the planet too!