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Earthwatch
Eco-Friendly Tips to Save Money
by Carol Bozich
Our planet is a small part of the universe. The rhythmical cycle of our earth plane sustains us physically, spiritually and emotionally. As we, the seekers of truth, continue with our personal healing, gaining environmental awareness and understanding can ensure that future generations are left with a clean and healthy planet.
Millions of tons of waste are dumped into landfills every year, mainly due to our everyday household rubbish. However, the news is not all bad; we can all do a tremendous amount to recycle, reuse and reduce.
By being mindful of our purchases, we can reduce our household clutter and save money. Beware of half price sales and infomercials that persuade people to buy the latest gadgets and gismos. These are often forgotten about and usually end up at the bottom of our cupboards. Selling household goods through the Internet or garage sales, and giving to charities, family, and friends are all good ways to offload the clutter we tend to accumulate. This enables us to restore the flow and harmony of our homes, lightening the emotional and sometimes physical burden a disorderly living space can cause.
The following ideas will save you money and shopping time, while helping to preserve the planet.
Cards
You can reuse the front of holiday or birthday cards. To do this, simply cut out a section from the card, then shape and attach it to the front of a gift.
Cardboard boxes
To make a “magazine tidy” out of a cereal box, measure about 10 centimeters up from one of the bottom corners of the box and record the measurements by marking the front of the box. Draw a line from the mark to the top opposite corner of the cereal box and cut. After you have completed the magazine tidy, you can then design a cover for the box with reused paper or cloth if desired.
Newspapers
Newspapers have a multitude of uses. You can line the bottom of a bird cage or scrunch them up and place them in a suitcase or a container for two weeks to remove stale odors. Protect your window glass while painting: Wet old newspapers and completely cover the glass, allow the paper to dry and commence painting. You can also clean your windows with newspapers.
Plastic Bottles
To make a convenient door stop, fill a plastic bottle with stones and cover it with fabric or paint to complement your décor. If you are having a gathering, put water into plastic bottles up to ¾ full, freeze, then put the frozen bottles in a large container and add your drink cans/bottles to keep them cool. To keep wool or string from getting tangled, cut off the bottom of a bottle and insert the wool or string. Tape the bottom back on and when you need the required amount, pull through the top, leaving enough hanging so that the end doesn’t go back into the bottle.
Cans
Before recycling cans, there are many interesting ways we can reuse them. Different sized cans work well as cookie cutters. You can also use cans to scoop your dried cat or dog food. In your garden, try cutting the top and bottom off the cans and put them in the soil. Place baby plants in the center of the can to help protect and support them while keeping slugs and snails away.
Glass
Use glass bottles and jars for items such as pasta, nuts, and dried fruit. Make your own salad dressing and store in a glass bottle. Here’s a quick recipe: place three parts oil and one part vinegar in a jar. Add lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste. Put the lid on, shake, and enjoy.
Glass jars are also great for storing nails, screws, nuts and bolts. When you need a particular item, instead of searching around in your toolbox, you’ll be able to find what you want a lot quicker.
Ceramics
Use chipped mugs to grow herbs and place on the windowsill. When there is odd breakage, use pieces of ceramics for drainage at the bottom of potted plants. Broken mugs are also great for children’s paint pots, but don’t forget to rub down and smooth the broken edges before using.
Fabrics
Old clothes that are machine washable can be used to make anything from a pet’s bedding to a cover for your hot water bottle. Unraveled wool can be re-rolled and used to make a new sweater or scarf.
As a dust and moth protector, take a worn pillowcase and use it to store out-of-season clothing. You can also use old pillowcases as dusters or place one over the brush head of a broom to remove hard to reach cobwebs.
Use old fabrics for plant ties, lavender sachets, or shoe buffers. Old stockings work well to strain paint.
These ideas can be a fun, entertaining and creative way to spend quality time with your children, while instilling in them a love and respect for the natural environment.
Awareness of what we do each day helps our planet, reduces our individual carbon footprint and empowers generations to come.
Carol Bozich is an intuitive healer who has always had a love for the natural environment as a longtime member of The Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand. Contact her at ryanb@ihug.co.nz.