Adopt these three approaches, and you’ll be surprised how much you can save: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

Choosing products with little or no packaging in an easy way to reduce what comes into your home and what ends up in landfill. Reusing instead of throwing away makes economic sense – not only that, devising ways to reuse household items is fun. And whatever you put out for recycling will find its way back to you in other products.

Minimizing waste

• Try to use paper rather than plastic bags when packing fruit and veggies for weighting
• Make sure you take reusable bags with you when shopping and refuse plastic carry bags
• Look for products that have minimum or recyclable packaging. Some health food shops even encourage customers to bring their own containers.
• Buy only fresh foods like veggies, fruit, meats and fish that doesn’t require any packaging. This way you are doing good for the environment and for yourself, as eating fresh is the great way to stay healthy.

Reusing materials

• Roll used gift wrap around empty cardboard tubes to keep it ready for the next time you need to wrap a present, or use it line shelves or drawers.
• Open out paper carry bags (I love that idea) and decorate it with a stamp or print to make wrapping paper.
• Make sure you use both sides of the paper in your printer before recycling
• Use old newspaper as a lining for your cat’s basket or kennel. They can be easily and cheaply replaced.
• Use an egg carton or cut-down mil carton with drainage holes cut in the bottom for seed preparation.
• Save glass jars and bottles for preserving, jam making or pickling
• Keep airtight glass jars for storing herbs, rice, lentils and pulses. These foods benefit from being stored that way and the glass allows you to see what’s inside.
• Use glass jars for holding salad dressings and leftover sauce. It’s easier to clean these liquids out of glass than out of plastic.
• Use small tins to make attractive candle holders for the garden or a city balcony.
• Save old shirts and other old clothes to wear for gardening.

For a lot of clever ideas on reusing household items, check the Internet. You are welcome to share yours here with all of use.

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