Garbage Can Stop Sign

[JanelleMom]

About a year ago, I put a stop sign on all the garbage cans in my house. It reminds me and my family to stop and think about what we're throwing away, to determine if it's something we (or someone else) could get some more use out of. We started doing it to try to be a little more environmentally friendly, but it turns out we're also saving money by reusing stuff instead of buying new. It's also helped me consider how much packaging an item has when I'm shopping, and it's no surprise that the items with less packaging tend to be cheaper, too.

We used to put two overflowing cans on the curb every garbage day - now we have one can that's not even full all the way. Too bad the trash collectors don't charge by weight or volume!

[mstrohm]

Out of curiosity, what types of things are you reusing that you were not reusing before?

I can see saving volume from your trash by recycling, composting and buying items with less packaging, but how does the stop sign save trash specifically? I would love to know!

[JanelleMom]

I'm kind of embarrassed to admit it since we really should have been doing it along, but one of the things we've been saving the most is glass jars like jelly jars and plastic tubs like Cool Whip tubs. The glass jars are great for holding craft supplies and we use the tubs instead of Tupperware for leftovers.

[khosta]

What a great idea!! And what an awesome way to recycle your things!!!

[pretty cheap jewelry]

please recycle all that stuff anyway (if not using for storage)!
almost certainly your trash service takes glass, plastic (for sure #1,2) and paper. And probably more.
I love reusing too, here's a new one:

Cut out the 'Happy Birthday' and graphics from a used bday card and glue it right onto the next gift you have to give. You don't have to buy or make a new card, and you just reused! Get a little more creative and put a border (of other reused paper) around the words. No one will be the wiser, as the inside of the card won't show. Do similar recycling for other occasions by saving Mother's Day, Christmas and Graduation cards. Good bits of saved ribbons / accessories can also be tastefully arranged onto the package.