Select a category of products from the following list or
scroll through this page. Each category contains tips on how to reuse the
items in the category.
Appliances |
Books, Magazines, Comics |
Camera, Photographic Equipment |
Compact Discs, Records, Tapes |
Clothing |
Furniture, Antiques |
Garden Tools, Outdoor Furniture |
Home Computers |
Home Decorating/Building Materials,
Tools |
Musical Instruments/Books |
Sports, Recreation Equipment |
Toys, Toy Making |
Appliances
Reuse Tips
- Before purchasing an expensive new appliance (such as a microwave oven
or food processor), borrow one from a friend or rent one from a rental
agency to make sure it is really what you need.
- Buy used appliances from charitable organizations.
- Buy durable appliances from a reliable manufacturer and get the longest
warranty possible.
- Maintain your appliances by following manufacturer's instructions. For
example, don't overload your washer and regularly clean your dryer's
lint filter.
- Tune-up, overhaul items such as sewing machines, vacuum cleaners and
sharpen the blades on your lawn mowers and coffee grinder to keep them
in good working order.
- Repair appliances when possible. See the Telephone Book Yellow Pages
for "Appliances - Service & Repairs."
- If you need to get an appliance repaired and no one is able
to stay home for the repair person, barter time or a
service with a neighbor or friend who is available to stay
at your home for a few hours.
- Be aware that if appliance parts are made out of single molded plastic
or metal pieces, they are crimped together instead of being welded or
bolted. This results in a lower cost of production, but means that it
is more difficult and expensive to repair.
- Watch out for modularized parts - clusters of components. You may end
up replacing a bunch of parts because they are connected to a single
part that doesn't work.
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Books, Magazines and Comic Books
Reuse Tips
- Instead of buying, borrow books from libraries and friends.
Lend or donate books and magazines that you no longer need.
- Share a magazine subscription with a friend.
- Donate used books and magazines to hospitals, senior citizen homes, and
community centers.
- See if your local library can use some of your old books. Many
libraries welcome donations of used popular paperbacks.
- Pass on children's books and comics to families with younger children
in your neighborhood.
- Donate children's books to women's shelters, daycares, and preschools
in your area.
- Encourage your children to trade comics with friends rather than buying
new ones.
- Cover your reference books and textbooks with old maps, posters, paper
bags, gift wrap, or fabric pieces to protect the covers from dirt and
stains. Not only will your books last longer, but also they will also
slide on and off the shelf more easily .
- Check university and college bookstores for used text books.
Reuse Categories Menu
Camera and Photographic Equipment
Reuse Tips
- Buy durable goods and repair them when possible. See the
Telephone Book
Yellow Pages for "Photographic Equipment - Repairing."
- Find out if your local school would like a donation of photographic
equipment for their art classes or for school newspaper and yearbook
clubs.
- Rent a camera or video recorder for a trip or special celebration.
- Buy a used single-lens reflex (SLR) camera, or sell your own SLR camera
at a camera store.
- Return small plastic film canisters to your film processor, or reuse
them as containers for flower seeds, screws, buttons, pills, or salt
and pepper in your picnic basket.
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Compact Discs, Records, and Tapes
Reuse Tips
- Borrow compact discs (CDs), records, and tapes from libraries
and friends. Lend your own recordings to friends.
- Donate recordings of children's music and stories to a school,
daycare, or preschool in your area.
- Maintain your CDs, records, and tapes so that they will still
be in good resale condition when you no longer want them. Music
stores that buy used recordings want no scratches and prefer
records in original sleeves and CDs in intact boxes with
original inserts.
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Clothing
Reuse Tips
- Buy durable clothing. Clean out your closet on a regular basis. When
you do so, make four piles:
- clothes to keep
- clothes that need mending
- clothes for resale (these are items in very good condition that
no longer fit you or flatter you)
- clothes for donation
- Repair your clothes and accessories so that you can use them
longer. See the Telephone Book Yellow Pages for "Shoe
Repairing," "Jewelry Repairing," and "Invisible Mending."
- Sell good quality clothes that you no longer want through consignment
stores.
- Donate old clothes to one of the many charities that can reuse or
resell them.
- Donate old clothes to a theater company (see box in this section).
- Cut up old bedding, towels, drapery, and clothing to use for household
chores.
- Instead of discarding good-as-new clothes, set up a "Laundry Store":
hang freshly laundered and pressed clothing in the laundry room of your
apartment building. Trips to the laundry room can become exciting free
"shopping" ventures that reap considerable savings for you and your
neighbors. Donate the leftovers to a charity.
- Organize a neighborhood "Exchange Day": declare a time and place for
the exchange of clothing and accessories. Donate the leftovers to a
charity.
- Keep old clothing items and use them for Halloween costumes or for
children's dress-up. For example, costume jewelry and an old
crinoline can create a princess; dark stockings can be the basis for a
black panther costume.
- Try renting formal wear or costumes instead of buying something you
will only use once. See the Telephone Book Yellow Pages for "Formal
Wear - Rental" and "Costume Rental."
- If you buy or make something special that you will only wear once, such
as a bridesmaid or evening dress, sell it to a consignment store.
Old jeans
- Make cutoffs.
- Make a baseball base: cut two squares from the legs of old jeans, sew
the squares together on three sides and half way on the fourth side,
fill with sand using a funnel, then sew up the rest of the fourth side.
- Use legs of old jeans to make gift bags (perfect for ski poles),
storage bags (keep bulky items such as car chains stored neatly in the
trunk of the car), and sports bags.
Fabric scraps
- Use scraps from old clothes and fabric to make hats or other
accessories such as headbands, ties, and bows.
- Save scraps for quilt patches, cushion covers, or for pot holder
padding.
- Save fabric from shortened skirts, dresses, and trousers to
make belts, sashes, scarves, pocket handkerchiefs, or
headbands to match the original outfits or to contrast with other
outfits.
- Donate old blankets, towels, and fabric scraps to animal shelters for
pet bedding.
- Cut up old T-shirts, worn out sheets or fabric remnants to make braided
rugs.
Discarded Pantyhose
- Put a sponge inside an old pantyhose leg and use it for washing dishes
or windows; the rough texture of the stocking removes dirt.
- Because they are washable, old pantyhose make good stuffing for
homemade pillows, quilts, and toys.
Down-filled coats and vests
- Launder old down and use it again in pillows, or to make a lap robe or
baby bunting.
- Make a new vest: pull apart and save the down for reuse. Use the old
vest fabric as a pattern to cut out a new vest, then sew the pieces
together and stuff with the old down.
Patterns
- Look at your used patterns before buying new ones. By making a few
changes or by using a different fabric, you can create a whole new
look. For example, you can omit a pattern piece such as a collar or
sleeve, make shorts from a shortened pattern for pants, or make a
sleeveless waistcoat from a suit jacket, a shell top from a blouse
pattern, or a mini-skirt from a pattern for a long skirt.
- See if a neighborhood group, a nearby public library, or a local
fabric store has a "free pattern exchange" network. You can choose a
pattern you like and replace it with one you no longer need, such as
patterns for children's clothes.
Reuse Categories Menu
Furniture and Antiques
Reuse Tips:
- Buy durable goods and repair them when possible.
- Refinish, paint, and restore furniture yourself. See the Telephone Book
Yellow Pages for "Furniture - Repairing & Refinishing Supplies."
- Use the services of professional repairers and refinishers when
necessary.
- See the Telephone Book Yellow Pages for "Furniture - Repairing &
Refinishing," "Antiques - Repairing & Restoring."
- Donate old furniture to a theater company (see box in this section).
- Find a new use for an old piece of furniture. For example, an old
ashtray stand can be used as a plant holder.
- Rent furniture for parties or short-term use. See the Telephone Book
Yellow Pages for "Furniture - Renting & Leasing."
Reuse Categories Menu
Garden Tools and Outdoor Furniture
Reuse Tips
- Buy durable garden tools, new or used, and look after them so that they
will last. Repair when possible.
- Rent or share with a neighbor any garden tools used only occasionally
(such as a rototiller, post hole digger or aerator). See the Telephone
Book Yellow Pages for "Rental Service."
- Buy durable outdoor furniture and repair when possible.
- Cover outdoor furniture with large garbage bags or bring indoors to
protect it from the rain and extend its life.
Garden Hints
- Cut a piece of garden hose and use it to cover the blade of an axe or
an ice skate.
- Add more holes to a leaking hose with a flat nail, then use the hose to
soak the lawn or garden.
- Use old rake/mop/broom handles, pieces of molding, and pipe as garden
stakes. Tie plants to the stakes with old pantyhose.
- Store your flower bulbs over the winter in old pantyhose or plastic
mesh bags hung in a dry, dark place. Use twist ties to section off the
bulbs by plant type and color.
- Use old wheelbarrows, washstands, or boxes for interesting plant
containers.
- Use plant containers to hold gifts of seeds, garden
tools, or cuttings from your favorite plant.
- Find out if your local garden center can reuse your flower trays, pots,
and containers.
- Share plant cuttings with neighbors and friends.
- Collect seeds to share, use, or combine in seed packages for gifts.
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Home Computers
Reuse Tips
- Consider renting a computer or renting to own. See the Telephone Book
Yellow Pages for "Computers - Renting & Leasing." Look for
advertisements in free computer magazines.
- Exchange a skill you have for time on a friend's computer.
- Watch for swap meets specializing in computers and software.
- Donate your old computer or software when you upgrade to a school, a
special needs group, a senior's organization, or a charity.
Reuse Categories Menu
Home Decorating and Building
Materials and Tools
Reuse Tips
- Buy building and decorating materials and tools at garage sales and
demolition sales. See the Telephone Book Yellow Pages for "Building
Materials - Used."
- Use alligator clips cut off of old jumper cables to hold workshop
projects together.
- Instead of buying a tool that you only need on a few occasions,
consider renting or borrowing one.
- Find out if your old tool needs a small part or minor repairs to get it
working again. See the Telephone Book Yellow Pages for "Tools -
Electric - Repairing."
- Check for recycled content when buying materials to make repairs.
Gypsum, insulation, and roofing materials made with recycled content
are available.
Paint
- Use up that last bit of paint by applying another coat in heavy use
areas.
- Try new wall painting techniques to use up small amounts of paint. Try
sponging, stenciling, or using old combs, dry cleaner bags, and pieces
of corrugated cardboard to create special effects. See home decorating
magazines in the library for ideas.
- Instead of repainting the walls to brighten a room, paint a plant
stand, mirror frame, or chair that has seen better days.
- Tired of your drab rattan or bamboo accessories? Give them a makeover
by painting them white or a bright color. Use a brush and
environment-friendly paint to add flowers or vines.
- Transform those unmatched chairs into a new "set" for your dining room
by painting them all the same color or painting each one a different
shade in a high-gloss paint.
- Revitalize battered, hand-me-down dressers and tables by painting them
in bold, high-gloss colors.
- Call to see if you can donate leftover paint to a community center or
summer camp.
- Give leftover paint to a neighbor, or use it to paint the inside of
the garage or an old fence.
Fabric
- Brighten up a room with pillows made from fabric scraps. This is one of
the easiest and cheapest ways to accessorize a room.
- Give solid-colored rag rugs a new look by sewing strips of fabric
around the edges.
- Instead of spending a lot of money to reupholster a worn sofa in the
family room, just wrap the cushions in blankets and throw a folded
blanket across the back.
- Use a permanent-press flat sheet to make an economical tablecloth that
washes and irons beautifully.
- Frame a piece of fabric left over from upholstering or decorating.
- Use leftover fabric to cover a lampshade.
- Create a table runner or placemats using pieces of fabric.
- Weave, braid or crochet a rug using strips of leftover fabric.
Wood
- Add thin layers of dampened sawdust to your compost bin. Make sure the
sawdust has not been chemically treated.
- Sand pieces of wood to make a set of children's building blocks. Use
lead-free paint or oil to finish.
- Make kindling from any wood that has not been
pressure-treated or dipped in creosote or painted (these
materials produce toxic emissions when burned).
- Refinish small wood scraps and screw in cup hooks to create a key
holder.
- Use scrap wood for garden stakes.
- Use scrap wood to make bird houses or feeders.
Reuse Categories Menu
Musical Instruments and Music Books
Reuse Tips
- Buy durable instruments and repair, restring, or
recondition them when possible. See the Telephone Book
Yellow Pages for "Musical Instruments - Repairing."
- Take your instrument out of the closet and begin playing it again.
- Lend, sell, or donate your instrument if you no longer need it.
- Put a notice up at the music school your child attends and offer to
pass on sheet music and books -such as sight reading and scale books-
as your child progresses.
- Help to set up a library of music that is only used occasionally, such
as duet books.
- Help set up a library for choirs and bands to share and exchange music.
- Use musical instruments that can no longer be played or repaired for
home decorating.
- Donate unplayable instruments to a theater company (see box in
Furniture section).
Reuse Categories Menu
Sports and Recreational Equipment
Reuse Tips
- Buy durable goods and repair them when possible. See the Telephone Book
Yellow Pages for "Sporting Goods - Repairing."
- Watch for swap meets where you can buy or sell equipment for a
particular sport, such as skiing, hockey, and baseball. These meets are
usually held at the start of the sport's season.
- Donate equipment you no longer want to a charity, a Boys' and Girls'
Club, a Scout group, or local team.
- Put up a notice to exchange, sell, or donate equipment at the community
center, golf course, or health club - wherever it makes sense to
advertise the piece of equipment. For example, advertise your used
tennis racquet at a community center that offers tennis lessons.
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Toys
Reuse Tips
- Find out if your local daycare center, hospital, preschool, or
kindergarten will accept used toys.
- Pass on toys your children have outgrown to relatives, friends, or
neighbors.
- Instead of buying new toys, exchange a box of your toys with a box of
your friend's or neighbor's toys.
- Try making toys from everyday household items-paper, cardboard, or
fabric (see box in this section).
Become a Toy Maker
- Make a cast of puppets from old socks decorated with buttons and yarn.
- Use old greeting cards glued to popsicle sticks to make puppets.
- Create a book about numbers, letters, seasons and holidays. Cut out
numbers, letters, or pictures from old magazines and glue into an
exercise book.
- Write your own story and illustrate it with photographs or pictures
from magazines or greeting cards.
- Use poster paint and cardboard boxes to design your own doll house, car
garage, or play store. If you make a store, stock it with empty
containers, food boxes, and tins.
- Sew doll clothes from fabric scraps.
- Make a cardboard "tickle trunk" and fill it with old clothes, hats, and
curtain material.
- Glue a favorite photo from a calendar to a piece of cardboard and cut
it into pieces to make a puzzle.
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