- Carry a durable and refillable water bottle
- Use reusable travel mug for coffee or other beverages while also saving money. Some coffee shops will give a small discount for bringing your own mug.
- Take your own reusable tote bag when shopping.
- Pack a reusable lunch bag with reusable utensils ( no single use items such as plastic utensils or straws)
- Use cloth napkins or hand towels
- Purchase refillable pens and pencils
- Donate things such as magazines, “gently used” clothing, children’s toys, surplus equipment to a school, church, or a local charity
- Repair items. Check out DIY videos for simple repairs.
- Upcycle. Turn an item you no longer want into something different with a new purpose. Repurpose, refinish, reclaim outdated items.
- Participate in a paint collection and reuse program.
- Styles and clothing change with the season, but clothing does not have to go to waste. Shop consignment shops, or have a clothing swap.
- Have a garage sale!
- FreeCycle Network is an online system to give away or swap useable items
- List of national donation resources (EPA website)
- Green Toys: Children’s toys made from curbside recycling plastics ( in the USA). Check out the Recycling Truck!
- Recycled One-of-a-Kind Handmade Cards
- Goblets made from recycled wine bottles –
- Serving tray made from recycled aluminum
- Tire swing made from recycled tires–
- Instant Tote Bags made from recycled water bottles–
- 4Ocean Bracelets made from trash found in ocean and coastlines–
- Compost bins – www.cboinc.com/cvwma
- Reusable Produce Bags
- Reusable BeesWax Wrap
- Reusable Stainless Steel Straws with cleaner brush
- Reusable bamboo Eating Utensils
- Eco friendly gifts such as movie passes, theater tickets; museum memberships or gifts from the heart such as offering to make dinner, walk the dog, help with gardening or home repairs
What can YOU do to reduce the amount of trash generated each day?
Reduce. REUSE. Repurpose. Recycle. The Solid Waste Management Hierarchy lists reuse as one of preferred waste management options. You can reuse items by using them over and over again for the same or alternate purposes, repairing them for reuse, donating them to charity and community groups, or swapping them. If you reuse an item it does not need to be reprocessed before it can be used again. Check out our Pinterest page for ways to reuse items at home, in the garden, in a classroom, and more!
DYK? If 100 people used a reusable thermos they would save 50,000 disposable cups per year!
Easy ways to reuse:
Additional resources include: