Ways to reuse those household goods

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July 12, 2010

The GreenYankee by David Zoffoli

I love being a parsimonious Yankee; I grew up in the generation that thinks globally and acts locally.

GreenYankee™ is a natural consequence of who I am and, I hope, apparently my passion. This monthly column offers "eco-tips" (the heart of my mission on greenyankee.com) and other ideas for enhancing your sustainable life.

Our Yankee forefathers (and their mothers!) lived "sustainably" before it was an urgent necessity. I believe we needn't reinvent the wheel to "go green"; rather we should learn from those who lived an environmentally friendly life because they were savvy and cheap. Reusing and repurposing the stuff you already have is an eco-smart solution for a simpler lifestyle.

Today, it's called upcycling. 100 years ago, it was the norm. My grandmother had a small back room upstairs where she kept her "reusables." They included: an entire wall of stacked paper egg cartons (which often helped organize her button collection); a small bureau with drawers filled with ironed gift wrap categorized by color and occasion; at least a dozen rubber band balls; piles of flattened tin and aluminum foil; old blankets to become quilt batting; and boxes filled with used envelopes to repurpose as notepaper, among too many things to name here. She was certainly a collector and a savvy home economist before it was taught in school. An avid gardener, she regularly divided her bulbs and rhizomes to build a magnificent backyard garden for pennies. It just took time and patience.

Reusing is surely better than buying more stuff that's cheaply made and may not last. Here are 10 of my favorite, often surprising, ways to give new life to old stuff.

Cork corks

Yes, they can become cork boards, trivets, wreaths, crafty stamps and placecard holders (who uses these anymore??). But, we like using the buoyancy of a cork to locate a bouquet garni in a stew pot or a bag o' mulling spices in hot apple cider. Simply tie the cork to the string of the bag. It's much easier to retrieve that hot, dripping bunch of herbs or spices since the cork stays cool.

My favorite reuse for cork corks though is as garden mulch. Corks retain moisture (like perlite) and, when mixed with the soil, can add tilth to help your garden better survive periods of drought. Grind up the corks in a food processor (preferably using a blade that needs replacement) and dig it into your garden beds.

Of course, you could always use them as corks for your homemade wine, vinegars and oils.

Old books

I love this idea of turning old books into planters. The Italian project entitled Gartenkultur takes old books that would otherwise be discarded and turns them into functional pots for plants. Check out http://ifitshipitshere.blogspot.com for more info in English.

Banana peels

Slipping aside, bananas are naturally high in potassium which encourages plant growth. Use the peel or puree the entire banana and bury with soil. Especially good for roses. Also, get this: tape a piece of the peel over a splinter. The enzymes will help dislodge the splinter and heal the wound. Similarly, this tip will help remove a wart. No kidding.

Stubby pillar or votive candles

Use these in the sewing room as pin cushions. Great for distinguishing different sized or specialty pins and needles.

Old toothbrushes

These little brushes are the perfect size for so many cleaning tasks. In the kitchen, remove the grundge from the refrigerator's door seal, your sink fixtures and the knobs on the stove. Clean out your dehumidifier with a vinegar and baking soda paste. This solution works well on tile grout, too. Soft bristle brushes make an excellent mushroom brush to gently remove the dirt. Sanitize them first in the dishwasher, or by soaking them overnight in hydrogen peroxide or vinegar, and allow to air dry.

Pill bottles

Great storage containers. Paint them if you want, or not. Use them for saving seeds, dried herbs, precious saffron threads. Hide extra keys; organize jewelry making and crafting supplies; paper clips, thumb drives, those little wrenches for IKEA furniture. Create a ready-to-go travel kit, both more economical and eco-friendly.

Dress shirts into pillow covers

If you're handy in the sewing room, men's dress shirts—blue or white, stripes or solids—make soft, breezy pillow covers, perfect for a 3-season porch. Even Martha likes it! She provides simple instructions under Sewing Projects for the Home on her website www.marthastewart.com

CDs

Hang them in the yard to deter deer and other creatures that are inhibited by the moving light. We have created a "curtain" of them that acts as a divider between the yard and the woods. (It really works.) Cover, decorate, or paint them to make coasters. Apply felt pads if you like.

Electric shaver

For the handyperson, this is the only stud finder you'll ever need. It will make a different sound when you hit a stud.

Croquet stakes, bats and broomsticks

Sturdy, rigid garden stakes that can be employed individually or in groups of three to corral flopping perennials like Baptisia and peonies.

David Zoffoli owns and operates greenyankee.com.