Sunday, February 22, 2009

One woman's recycling is another woman's...

I have gathered up 8 boxes, 2 rolls of sticky bubble wrap, one plastic air pocket strip of packaging, and a few thousand packing peanuts.  On Tuesday I will put them outside my door and a kind fairy will come take them away.  Ok, she's not a fairy, her name is Sue, but she is kind and very helpful.  And she might say the same about me. 

See I found Sue on Freecycle.  She was looking for packaging people wanted to get rid of that she could have and use for her at home business.  Lucky lady, I just happen to have a lot of that laying around. 

I order a lot things online because the earth-friendly selection in this little village I reside in leaves much to be desired.  So (unfortunately) I have a lot of packaging that would normally go in recycling or trash.  And recycling is great and all, but remember, it's reduce THEN reuse THEN recycle.  

I am trying to reduce by buying things in bulk and ordering from companies that have Mama E lovin' packaging techniques, but at some point, I still have boxes and wrapping on my hands.  So I let Sue reuse it and it's a win/win situation for all of us.  

Give your local freecycle a look-see.  Your packaging materials may save someone else precious resources.  If you don't have a local freecycle, check with local preschool and kindergarten classes.  Often times teachers use these as forts, sensory materials, or craft projects for children.

How have you reused packaging materials?  

And remember, today is the last day to register for the Winter Blues Giveaway!  The winner will be announced tomorrow!

11 comments:

Unknown said...

i love freecycle! its one of my favorite ways to get rid of stuff!!

www.AForestFrolic.typepad.com said...

Visiting from SITS lady and what a great idea! I've heard of freecycle but never visited...now I must. Your story has inspired me!! I usually just recycles the bigger boxes and recycling material...but would much rather have someone reuse it too. Love the pics to go along with your post too!

Jamie :-)

babies said...

packaging material is great for kids' crafting, they love it more than "real" toys and supplies. most often they can play with a plain cardboard box for days and days.

i use cardboard boxes for storage instead of buying new.

there's always lots of commercial post in our letterbox, no matter how often i tell the postman not to stuff it in, and with my children we make collages like menues for the day, imaginary bedrooms, secret gardens, playgrounds...

plastic containers (we eat lots and lots of yogurt) we use for molded candles, starting vegetables from seed, making toys...

there's more, i'm sure...

Anonymous said...

Freecycle rocks! It helps me get rid of those things that I'm never certain that even a charity would want. And yet there always seems to be someone out there who wants a bag full of mismatched socks! I am also amazed at how much it has saved me from shopping. If I ask, I often receive!

Beautiful pictures! Great post!

Debie Napoleon said...

What a great idea - I have so much packaging that I do try to reuse, but you are right, you cannot use it all!

Thanks for visiting me on my SITS day - much appreciated!

Electronic Goose said...

Yay for Freecycle! I've done the same with our moving supplies, and I reuse the packaging from online orders for moving ... we move a lot ... :)

Green Resolutions said...

Excellent idea! I've been wondering if I should try to do an account through http://www.freecardboardboxes.com/
in order to make the best use of boxes from my husband's business. I hadn't thought of Freecycle. Thanks!

Willo said...

Great ideas!

Green Resolutions-I never heard of that site But you should DEFINITELY try Freecycle! As our readers contest, it is the best!

Hermit on the Hill said...

Love those photo's!

Freecycle is such a great idea!

JessTrev said...

Love freecycle! I have a bag 'o packing supplies I need to post right about now. Thanks for the reminder!

Willo said...

Anytime JessTrev, thanks for stopping by!