Today, preserving the environment is now one of our foremost priorities. One of the easiest ways to lessen our impact is to use the 3Rs in our everyday lives: reduce, reuse, and recycle.
This sounds like a tired, old environmental campaign but, up until today, it is still proven to be one of the most practical ways to reduce waste. So, by simply following the 3Rs, we can give the environment a huge break. As an added benefit, it’s also best to focus on eco-friendly storage to further reduce waste production. This article outlines some practical tips for upcycling used items as eco-friendly storage.
How to Upcycle Used Items for Eco-Friendly Storage
According to new waste generation and recycling statistics, the world will have reached an estimated population of 8.5 billion people. This also means that more and more resources will be extracted and thrown to satisfy the needs of these people. This growing population and increased production and disposal of materials highlight the absolute need to reduce, reuse, and recycle items.
As an individual person, you can do your part by starting with your habits, routines, and organizational systems such as re-thinking how you store simple household items. So, instead of buying yet another plastic bin to store toys or getting new pots for your plants, here are some tips on how to organize things in your home in an eco-friendly way.
Don’t throw away plastic bags
Single-use plastic bags are among the most numerous waste materials dumped into the environment. That’s why it’s best to use a recyclable bag so you can store groceries and other items in it. There’s no need to use plastic bags which you’ll just throw away after emptying its contents.
But you can reduce the dumping of plastic bags by giving them a second life. Here are some common ways:
Use them as a liner for your trash bin.
Use them as a waterproof pouch for your cell phone, batteries, headphones, and other small electronics.
When taking out your dog for a walk, bring a couple of plastic bags with you; you can use them as poop bags.
Plastic bags are quite tough. So you use a plastic bag over and over again. For example, if you’re a prolific camper or traveler, you can use the same plastic bag to keep your fresh clothes dry.
You can also get creative and take on DIY projects using plastic bags or grocery bags.
COVID-19 Tip: Reusable grocery bags are usually made out of synthetic fiber material called low-density polyethylene. According to this how-to video from CBC News: The National, reusable grocery bags can be cut and used as a 2nd or 3rd protective lining for fabric or 2-ply face masks.
Reuse plastic bottles
Like plastic bags, single-use plastic bottles take up a lot of landfill space and contribute to the global plastic pollution problem. The best way to deal with plastic bottles is to lessen their use in the first place. For example, you may want to bring along your own reusable water bottle or thermos so you don’t have to buy bottled water.
If you have empty plastic bottles though, you can use them to store household liquids such as dishwashing liquid, all-purpose cleaner, or liquid floor wax. Just make sure that you’re storing a liquid that doesn’t eat through the plastic.
Bring plastic bottles with you if you’re going to a zero-waste store. Use it to refill stuff such as shampoo, lotion, body oil, and soap. By using a plastic bottle, you don’t have to buy pots and jars that zero-waste stores often sell.
Finally, if you’re a hiker, use plastic bottles to store foodstuffs such as grains, sauces, spices, or raw de-shelled eggs for scrambling. By closing the lid securely, you can prevent any kind of spill, no matter how vigorous your adventure is.
Repurpose empty boxes
Empty boxes are almost ubiquitous in your home. They came along when you bought shoes, clothes, appliances, and many other things. Use them as storage units rather than buying new storage bins. You can store tools, craft supplies, beauty products, jewelry, and many other household items in those boxes. Think about it: you get readily available storage units---for free!
Reuse empty glass or plastic jars
Have you recently run out of coconut oil, pickles, or mayonnaise? Peel off the label, wash them thoroughly and dry them. Once dry, you can use these jars to organize items such as pens, kitchen utensils, and art brushes. You can also reuse them to store foodstuff and ingredients such as cereal, grains, oats, and spices.
If you have a crafty side, you can use these jars as decorative holders for scented candles, pendant lights, chimes, and more. Check out this link for creative ideas about repurposing empty jars.
Reuse empty bottles
Do you have empty glass bottles at home? Don’t throw them away, especially if they look really interesting. After taking off the label and washing them, you can use empty bottles as cool-looking flower bases. The long narrow neck and the small opening of the bottle make them ideal for securely holding a bunch of stems.
Glass bottles are also perfect for storing liquid kitchen ingredients such as cooking oil, soy sauce, vinegar, and more.
Search for unused cabinet spaces and drawers
Check your cabinets or shelves; it’s likely you’ll find an empty or underutilized space. Use this space to store towels, washcloths, bed sheets, curtains, and other linen. Smaller drawers can be used to store and organize table napkins, tissue papers, blotting papers, boxes of wipes, and more.
Repurpose empty baskets
Woven or rattan baskets are perfect storage spaces. Place one at the front door where people can put their shoes and flip-flops in. You can also put one beside the living couch where you can store magazines, books, and other reading materials. Or you can use one to store dirty clothes to be laundered.
Use strips of cloth or strings as cable ties
Messy cables and wires only provide clutter to workstations and home entertainment centers. Organize tangled keyboards by using ties. Now, you don’t have to buy those plastic one-use ties. You can use strips of cloth from old shirts or jute strings to tie down those cables.
Conclusion
Many items that we have in our homes and offices that we deem ready to throw away can be reused. The tips above are just some of the ways in which you can use such items rather than chucking them in the trash bin. By repurposing and upcycling these items, we exercise the 3Rs, reduce waste, and preserve Mother Nature.
About the Author:
Brett is a writer at ID-Mag. An enthusiast and expert when it comes to sleep products, Brett dedicates a lot of his time reading, researching, and reviewing about both traditional and emerging sleep brands that manufacture varied types of sleep products – from eco-mattresses, smart pillows to cooling sleep systems, Brett has probably reviewed them all. Brett also finds sleep especially important since he juggles a small business which he runs from home, makes sure he spends time with his daughter and he also writes during his spare time – you can definitely see that he needs a great forty winks all night, every night so he’ll make sure that you get great sleep, too!
