7.17.2007
As I was reading through my post on going green I realized I forgot to mention a few of my favorite ways of keeping things green. One is my inability to pass by items on the curb and let them go to the landfill. I have accumulated quite a bit of goodness this way and a few duds that I thankfully have a big basement to store them in.
This spring I picked up a little desk from the thrift store. It was such a hit with the kids, both of them asking for their own. Not long after I came across one on the curb and the owner was happy to see it go to a good home. Annie picked a bit of pink paint (which we already had) and a new piece of furniture with very little impact. I love watching her sit at her desk, looking out the window and writing and working on projects.
One day Dan came home with a great little desk that he scored from a curb. It was the perfect size for a little spot in the family room. A bit of paint and now mommy has a nice desk to sit at and write, er pile stuff on. A little paint that we already had and the knobs Handy Annie removed.
My fab new sewing machine was also picked up curbside. I stopped thinking it was just the cabinet but then found the machine inside. A trip to the repair shop (supporting a small business owner) and it's good as new and would have cost me $300.00. The thought of that in the landfill almost makes me weep.
We have also signed up for freecycle and freesource in our area. We get daily emails of items people are giving away. I have picked up some Le Cruest pots, a full set of encyclopedias, a twin bed frame and more. We got rid of all the sod we pulled up from the landscaping project and if I wasn't such a pack rat we could give away more. Check it out, but I do advise you set up a special email because we get tons of mail from this.
We also do the freecycle with friends getting and giving hand-me-down clothing and kids stuff. Thanks to some very generous friends Annie and Maddie are always well dressed. We loaded the van up with baby goods for a friend last week and now our car seat, stroller, exer-saucer (used for 4 or 5 kids), bouncy seat, swing and bassinet will be put to use and save a friend some money and a few resources.
My last places to mention are the thrift stores and yard sales. So much good stuff to be had. I have the best luck with shoes including the pair of Bear Feet I scored yesterday for 3 dollars and a new pair of Birkenstock sandals for $1.50. I may sell those I eBay.
Anyhow, it always makes me feel good to reuse some of the things that are out there. Hope some of this gives you some ideas.
13 comments:
Hey thanks for the link to the freecycling I've always wondered what to do with all my old junk!
Who the heck would give away Le Cruest pots! Ridiculous talk.
p.s. I also picked up a sewing machine off the side of the road. Score for us.
I have a Singer Rocketeer too and I can't believe someone would throw it away. It looks great. Happy stitching!
i think your great.i get almost all my housewares from yale during the moveout day, trashday, tagsales, and salvation armies. so do antique shops and vintage stores, for the most part.
my best tip--if you become friendly with people at fabric shops, they will usually give you the samples, which would otherwise go in the trash too. some of the swatches are up to a yard long, as well
i edit an environmental publication that looks at alternative ways to manage our rubbish and divert it from landfill, so i applaud what you do. part of the problem is that we consume so much in the first place but at least in the UK, environmental issues - especially recycling - are coming to the fore in terms of media coverage.
I just found your blog through "blogs of note" on the Blogger page, and I'm so glad. Thank you for the link to freesource and freecycle, I'm definitely looking into those. My husband and I are in the midst of making our life more green, and this definitely helps!
freecycle is awesome. Bicycles are too :)
really enjoyed this going green stuff. i have much to learn from the resources you have in here. thanks.
Cheryl
I love finding treasures that people have thrown away. Great find on the sewing machine and the desk.
I took all my son's infant hand-me-downs (he had a TON) and donated them to the local children with HIV daycare center in Memphis. It made me feel excellent because here were a lot of poorer kids getting a lot of nice clothes and toys and whatnot.
It made me feel over 10 times better than if I had donated to goodwill or salvation army.
Oooh! That is one swish sewing machine! Lucky you :)
There can never be enough pairs of Birkenstocks in one's closet.
It's nice to find your blog; you have a lovely spirit.
Plus, I live a little closer to DeKalb than Chicago,too. Basically.
That sewing machine is a real find! Good for you for repurposing items!
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