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Re-using items is an excellent way to re-cycle. Here is a list of things you can re-use. I’m sure you can add to this list.

• Plastic grocery bags, take them back to the store and use them to bring bag your new groceries. Or use them as trash bags in your home, they are the perfect size for most bathroom, bedroom or office trash cans.
• Don’t throw away old books–donate them to libraries or schools or take them to sell, consign or trade at a used book store. Children’s books can be brought to Rumors HAS IT! and added to our Children’s Free Book Exchange shelf. Children bring in books and trade for one off the shelf. This has been a great way for children to get a new book.
• Use rechargeable batteries to reduce hazardous waste from dead disposable batteries.
• If you have old photos, journals, diaries, etc that you don’t want to keep, (but just don’t want to get rid or know what to do with), donate them to the local historical society. They will probably just love to have the items.
• Instead of using disposable paper towels, use rags, sponges or towels to clean up messes or for cleaning. I personally have bought several of those cheap packages of white wash cloths at a discount store (a dozen or two for like 3 or 4 dollars) to use for house cleaning. The kids all know the white ones are for cleaning and they are kept with the cleaning supplies. They are terry cloth and I love them for cleaning.
• If you have old craft supplies, art supplies, sewing supplies etc from hobbies which you no longer have time for and you just don’t know what to do with all those tubs of wonderful things–contact your local girl scout leaders or other youth organizations–they would really appreciate your donation of supplies.
• Plastic grocery bags can be crumpled up and used as packing material when you ship an item.
• Save the gift bags you receive with a gift and re-use it when giving a gift.
• Many organizations collect empty printer ink cartridges to re-fill, these include some office supply stores (I trade my cartridges for a ream of re-cycled paper at Office Depot). Our local post office also has a bin to collect empty printer cartridges.
• Donate your old eyeglasses to your local Lions Club for re-use.
• Donate your old magazines to doctor/dentist offices, or schools or libraries.
• Cell phones create problems in our landfills due to the batteries leaking poisons into our soil. Many organizations collect used cell phones. Often these used cell phones are programmed for 911 use only and are given to women who may be having trouble breaking from an abusive relationship.

There are many other items that you are disposing of that can be re-used. If you have ideas to share, please post your ideas. Everyone would love to hear.

And of course, shopping and consigning at your favorite resale consignment store Rumors HAS IT! is an excellent example of re-using items and keeping items out of our landfills.

Cya in store soon,

Rhonda

Did you know that houseplants actually filter the air in your house and help to rid your home’s air of pollutants in addition to making your home look pretty and welcoming?

Tips for making your houseplants work for YOU!

• Mixing night synthesizing plants such as orchids with regular plants make your plants work 24 hours a day filtering your air.
• Grow one houseplant per every 10 square yards to help keep the air clean in that area.
• Using a general mixture of plants will help filter out as many pollutants as possible.
• Protection from formaldehyde are provided from philodendrons and aloe plants.
• Protection against benzene and trichloroethylen are provided from gerbera daisies, peace lilies and English ivy.

The best Earth Day Tip of all — “Save the Planet One Outfit at a Time” by shopping and consigning at your favorite resale shop — “Rumors HAS IT!” in Scranton, KS.

Cya in store soon!
Rhonda