Celebrate Green Blog

Reuse those annoying junk mail envelopes. Just cross out the old info and glue/tape/use a sticker for the new addressee info and voila- another piece of paper out of the land fill or recycling pile.

Milk cartons (the cardboard kind) cannot be recycled and I have tried composting but the outside does not compost because it is coated with a waterproof plastic, generally polyethylene (http://www.enotes.com/how-products-encyclopedia/milk-carton). So, I have come up with several uses for the cartons: 1) cut off the tops and use as flower pots to plant up seedlings for the garden. 2)cut apart, flatten and use as "mulch" or a ground cover around the base of veggie plants (tomatoes)--cover with real mulch to hide 3)as a compost go-between: place on counter to catch kitchen scraps to transfer to compost bin 4) wash, fill with water and put in freezer to use in ice chest. And so on.

These are some great ideas so far! I learned this one from my mom, who was doing this LONG before it was cool to be green. I use all the MILLIONS of papers that come home from my kids' schools to make my own recycled pads of scratch paper. Using papers that are printed on one side only, I tear them in half horizontally, clip them together with a binder clip and I have a great new pad! Then of course I recycle when they're used up... Thanks, Corey and Lynn!

Save all pieces of scrap paper you encounter. I save old envelopes, parking stubs, receipts, etc in a drawer and in the center console of my car and use them instead of a fresh piece of paper when I need to make a note, list, etc!

We went to a BBQ on the 4th of July, and they were using styrofoam plates. We were so mad. As my husband and I left (after using none of that styrofaom, of course), he said, "Guess they want their party to be remembered for generations." After all, that's how long Styrofoam will be around. Our tip would be to go plateless in these situations. Thanks ladies.

We all forget our reusable bags sometimes, so instead of recycling your plastic bags (which uses a lot more resources), reUSE them. Poop bags for you dogs owners, small can trash bags, kid kites (attach a string and watch them run)--the advantage of these over traditional kites is that if they 'crash' down, there's no sticks to hit or break. Turn plastic bags into washable 'yarn'. Fold the clean bags in fourths the long way, handles together, and cut into loops. Make 2 ply loops and loop together with another 2 ply loop forming a string, continue looping until you have enough for your project. My personal favorite is to crochet a handbag, or beach bag, but make a shower curtain, or soap caddy, or chair cushion...the possibilities are endless...

Recycle your soiled paper products (like napkins, paper towels used in the kitchen, wax paper, coffee ground filter along with the grounds etc.) into your green waste bin (along with your food wastes)if you have that service. Most waste management companies allow these items in the green waste bin. If not, then add them to your own compost bin or pile. It takes about 90 days for most items to fully compost. If after the 90 day cycle, there are still some chunky pieces left, sift them out and let them break down in the next 90 day batch. Chad M. Wall

We used our empty yogurt containers to store ashes from our fireplace. We punched holes in the lid and made "Kick-Ash Cleanser"! Just add a damp rag and old fashioned elbow grease to the mix to get off the soot from your glass fireplace doors. It can be used to clean your stove, stainless steel sinks and more. (Don't use on a porous surface though.) We also make our own wipes using t-shirt squares stuffed in the tall cylindrical containers previously used to sell beef jerky. Add about 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water and use them (within a week or two) to wipe up around the house instead of using commercial wipes. We also use them for the baby! Adding a drop or 2 of peppermint cancels out the vinegar smell if you'd like it better that way. Toss them in the wash and use over and over again. It is green and it saves green.

Human hair clippings can be composted and used to feed the plants in your garden. Ask your hairdresser to keep the hair clippings for you. Mix them with grass clippings and they break down beautifully. I have grown prize roses using this compost which is full of nitrogen. Use lavender oil for cleaning in the bathroom. It is a natural antiseptic and leaves a lovely fragrance.

Instead of throwing them away, collect one-side printed paper and staple them together to make notepads. Save tigers environment by using wood pellets instead of the usual cat litter, made of clay and collected from environment where tigers live. Plus, wood pellets costs about 1/10th of normal cat litter. Buy only what you really need, and be happy with what you have. You'll save money, produce less garbage, re-use more, and be a lot happier! Join a freecycle yahoo group in your area: you'll save money, get what you need for free, produce less garbage, encourage re-use instead of recycling, and make others happy. Use use transparent plastic juice containers in mini-greenhouses in your garden: just cut the bottom part, and place them over young plants to protect them from the weather, and remove them when the weather is milder and the plant bigger. Then, store them away for the next planting season. Celebrate Earth Day every day of the year!

Take your used coffee grounds and put them in your garden. If you don’t generate enough coffee grounds on your own, Starbucks will be happy to give you some through their Grounds for your Garden program!

Take your used coffee grounds and put them in your garden: <a href="http://mamajoules.blogspot.com/2009/05/free-coffee-grounds-for-your-garden.html". If you don't generate enough coffee grounds on your own, Starbucks will be happy to give you some through their Grounds for your Garden program!

For mowing the lawn for the rest of the year, invest $100 in a push mower like your grandma used to have. You will get a little exercise while cutting down on noise pollution and gasoline fired mowers while getting a fairly nicely cut lawn.