How to Reuse Coffee Pots

The four Rs provide us with sound guidelines on how to reduce the amount of garbage we transfer from our homes to the local landfill. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rethink are four words that one could consider before making a purchase.

Reduce, this can be applied to packaging, you do not really need all those plastic bags that one can gather on a shopping trip.

Fortunately, many stores offer reasonable priced bags you can use and use again. Some stores, such as the Superstore, here in Canada charge five cents a bag if you do not have your own reusable one. This is a bit of an incentive.

Reuse, if you are buying something that you toss out after one use, and then ask yourself if you really need it, what else could you do with it after the intended use?

Recycle, if you have a recycling program in your community then use it. In addition, try and buy recycled products when you need to purchase something and help create the market for recycled goods.

Rethink, do you really, I mean really need, what you are about to buy?

What do you do with a coffee pot that you no longer need; well first why do you no longer need it? If it still works and is in good shape consider giving it to an organization that resells items for a few bucks, pick a charitable organization that puts the funds to good use/ This is a great way to recycle a product you no longer want but one that still works.

Know someone who sells at a flea market, give it to them to sell; if you want split the profits.

Or, do you have a friend or family member who needs a coffee maker? A son or daughter heading to university or college may have little money but a real need for coffee.

Now, what you do with the coffee maker or pot depends upon what type it is. If it is a carafe type that does not make coffee but keeps it warm similar to a thermos, and it is not working for some reason, it could make a vase, as long as it is not leaking.

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It could also become a planter. This is the stage where creativity comes into question. You could clean it up and add a decal or two; paint it; it depends upon your level of skill and your imagination.

Do you know an artist, who works with recycled material? No, is there an art gallery in town, a call might turn someone up or if the place you live has an artists directory take a look through it, you may find someone who is looking for just such an item.

The recycling possibilities of an object are not always obvious but remember one person’s junk is another’s treasure.