upcycle

"Ghost" marshmallow brownies for Halloween

October 14 2024

Have a Boo-tiful, Sustainable Halloween

Beckey Watson Uncategorized boo-tiful, charity shop, Halloween, homemade costumes, paper-wrapped candy, repurpose, reuse, upcycle

Holidays are fun, and should be enjoyed by kids and adults. But a quick look at the offerings on store shelves for Halloween decorations and treats can be very scary! Lots of single-use plastic decorations, plastic-wrapped candies, and over-the-top costumes that can be expensive and, well, plastic-y.

We hope you’re saving your treasured decorations for Halloween (and all holidays) from year to year. If you’re getting tired of them, organize a family or neighborhood swap over a cauldron of cider, to “shop” for new-to-you decorations and kids’ costumes. It’s a great way to avoid buying new items and can be done in the setting of a nice gathering. Use pumpkins for decorations that are beautiful and colorful sans carving. They can stay in place into November for Autumn decorations and/or made into roasted pumpkin seed snacks, pumpkin pies. Anything left can go to the compost pile.

It’s hard to avoid plastic-wrapped single-serve candy, but there are options. If you’re attending party with neighbors, friends, or family that you know well, maybe you can make homemade cookies, popcorn, or small portions of bulk candy in kraft bags. There are some individual servings of candies packaged in paper, such as M&M’s fun size servings that are wrapped in paper (and packaged in a recyclable plastic bag). “Junior Mints” come in cardboard boxes that can be recycled. And Reese’s cups, Hershey kisses, and other candy is wrapped in recyclable foil. You could also consider handing out pencils or themed erasers.

Making a costume for yourself or for kids is where the creativity and fun kick in! Cardboard boxes can be turned into tombstones for your front yard, or costumes such as a Rubic’s Cube, dice, or rocket ship. Start a Scout troop, classroom, or neighborhood costume swap to score costumes that are new-to-you. Used clothing stores often are stocked with donated costumes, or regular clothes that can be upcycled into costumes, such as a dress a stuffed black dog that just needs glitter added to an old pair of sneakers to be transformed into Dorothy and Toto. Or a graduation gown that would make a wonderful wizard! There are plenty of ideas online.

With a little planning, your Halloween fun doesn’t have to end up in the trash can, headed for the landfill. Reuse what you have, shop strategically, and swap with others to celebrate in a boo-tiful way!

January 31 2022

Got Shoes?

Beckey Watson Uncategorized clothes, donate, recycle, repurpose, shoes, Soles4Souls, upcycle, upcycling, used clothes, used shoes

Have you got a crowded parking area for all the shoes you have in your closet? Maybe you’re not wearing so many dress shoes, opting more for sneakers, or even slippers? Here’s a way that you can unburden your crowded closet AND help someone at the same time. It’s an organization called Soles4Souls.

According to the EPA, on average, Americans throw away 70 pounds of textiles (shoes and clothing) per person, per year. That adds up to 21 billion pounds of unnecessary waste added to our landfills. The EPA estimates that only 15% of clothing and footwear in the U.S., is recycled, leaving the remaining 85% in our landfills. By putting no longer needed shoes and clothing to good use, textiles are kept out of landfills.

At Soles4Souls, they turn unwanted shoes and clothing into opportunity, by keeping them from going to waste and putting them to good use, providing relief, creating jobs, and empowering people to break the cycle of poverty. They also accept donations of clothing at some locations.

Something as simple as a pair of shoes can make a big difference. It can give comfort to a child wearing ill-fitting shoes, and confidence to a person looking for work. Doesn’t that make you want to head to the back of the closet and have a good clean out?

Soles4Soules has two warehouses and over twenty outdoor bin drop-off points throughout the state. You can find the one nearest you by clicking on the link, entering your zip code, and selecting either 15+ pairs of shoes or clothing (these two options will populate all the recommended options). Choose the option that works best for you!

If you want to help more, consider hosting a shoe/clothing drive at your school, church, or neighborhood. Or you can volunteer in other ways. Just reach out to [email protected] to inquire.

November 16 2020

Coping with COVID Sustainably

Beckey Watson Uncategorized COVID, litter, Litter Prevention, mask, PPE, recycle, upcycle

You probably see littered face masks in parking lots everywhere, and it probably makes you just as disappointed as we are, when a solution is so simple: use a cloth face mask that can be washed and worn over and over again! It’s even more economical in the long run. It’s obvious that we’re going to be wearing face masks for many more months, so get some stylish masks to add to your wardrobe. Virginia Taylors in Arlington, Virginia makes beautiful, colorful, washable cloth masks. Check them out!

Another problem that’s annoying is that many of us are getting plastic grocery bags when we use curbside pickup. Some stores are collecting used plastic bags for recycling, which of course is one of the best things you can do. But you can also re-purpose those bags by cutting them into strips, called “Plarn”, and braiding, weaving, crocheting, or knitting them into reusable totes and mats. Some people are making mats for pets, or donating them to organizations to distribute to the homeless for sleeping mats.

Speaking of pets, have you been cleaning out your closets and drawers? It’s easy to make no-cost fun toys for pets. After all, they’re probably bored at home with you too! An old sock and a water bottle can turn into a new distraction for your dog. Old jeans can be cut up and braided into a tug toy. There are so many possibilities for DIY pet toys.

And what about exercising for yourself? After months of working from home, often being surrounded by family at all hours, get outside while the weather still is pretty nice! Studies show that getting outside for some fresh air and a change of scenery can lower your blood pressure, and is just as good for your mental health as your physical health. And don’t forget to take a trash bag with you! Picking up litter burns more calories than just taking a stroll on its own, so they say.

So do something good for yourself, AND good for the environment. We can still be sustainable while coping with COVID.