Zero Waste Living

Hello again, savvy savers! For this weeks Greener Living Post, I want to explore an oldie-but-a-goodie, in terms of Greener Living, and that is simple, effective ways to recycled newspaper!

Did you know that according to the Environmental Protection Agency, Recycling one ton of paper can save 17 trees, 7,000 gallons of water, 380 gallons of oil, 3.3 cubic yards of landfill space and 4,000 kilowatts of energy-enough to power the average U.S. home for six months-and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by one metric ton of carbon equivalent (MTCE). What’s more staggering is the fact that the average American family discards one-quarter ton of paper per year!

So, today I wanted to post about several creative ways to reduce this recycling dilemma is to find creative, eco-friend, budget-savvy ways to reuse newspaper:

• Use Newspaper to clean windows or glass. Use crumpled newspaper, dipped into water mixed with a splash of white vinegar, and clean those windows up without any streaks or harmful chemicals!
• Burn it! Use newspaper instead of a starter log in the fireplace, fire-pit, chiminea, or at a bonfire.
• Make a weed barrier. If you’re building a raised flower bed, lay out pieces of newspaper, six to eight layers deep, before you fill it up with dirt. The paper will help keep weeds from invading.
• As origami paper. Cut your newspaper into squares and get folding!
• Use Newspaper in the fridge. Keep the bottom of the veggie drawer to absorb liquid and odors.
• For ripening fruit. If you’ve picked up some under-ripe peaches, avocados, or other fruit, at the market on sale, then be sure to wrap them in newspaper to ripen them more quickly.
• Shine on, domestic goddess. Give the shine back to your stainless steel sink by gently scrubbing it with wadded up, wet newspaper weekly.
• Compost it. Newspaper makes great bedding for a worm bin, as well as a substitute for brown layers in traditional compost bins, when saturated.
• Papier mache. You can make all sorts of fun paper mache projects, like a piñata!
• Donate them. Your local animal shelter can use newspapers to line their cages. Some even shred them up to use as kitty litter, can be used in a pinch; also consider using them in your pet creates at home! 

So savvy savers, that’s my list for fun, creative ways to reuse recycled newspaper products in the home! I hope this inspires you all to think outside of the box, in terms of helping to reduce your families carbon footprint, one newspaper at a time!

Here’s to greener living!

Hello again, savvy savers! Today finds us with a new list of the things we should all be saving in 2015. Not only will reducing the amount of stuff you throw away make you a champ in the eco-consciousness, Greener Living category, it’ll also save your wallet a bundle!

The following is a list of the top ten items you should be saving this year:

1. Plastic ice cream tubs: These buckets are incredibly handy, and just the right size and durability for a lot of outdoor uses. They’re perfect for storing rock salt, fertilizer, under-the-sink compost bins, supplements, pet food, and more. For long trips, consider putting an individual portion of ice in each one, then add your food and stack in your cooler. They hold up and keep your food organized and cool to boot!
2. Mesh Popsicle bags: Storing garlic, onions, apples, and potatoes in these bags will provide you with a great storage bag, and will help your produce last twice as long! 
3. Plastic Deli Meat Containers: I have one word for you, leftovers! These make the best containers for leftovers! An added bonus is that these tubs are dishwasher safe; mine have been through the dishwasher dozens of times and still seal tight. Plus they’re exactly the right size for a meal-sized portion of food! 
4. Plastic grocery bags:  Use them to line bathroom wastebaskets, as padding in fragile packages, or as a fabulous and reusable way to package up delicate holiday decorations.
5. Old Sheets: They make fabulous drop cloths for house-painting projects and art projects. They also make great furniture covers to protect your stuff when moving!
6. Old Socks: Socks make perfect dusting rags. Old socks can also be cut at the ends and used as pads on your Swiffer. Mark these socks with a permanent red marker in a large X to easily identify them when you run them through the wash later.
7. Milk Cartons: Cut the top half off, and have an awesome scooper for just about anything. Also, freezing water in milk jogs during the summer, placed in front of fans on a towel, will help cool your room by as much as 10 degrees! 
8. Holiday wrapping paper: Use cheap rolls after the holidays to line drawers or shelves!
9. Metal Hangers: Hangers can be used to make cheap, inexpensive wreath forms! Hangers with clips, can give the hanger detached, and use the clips for chips! 
10. Corks: Corks can be used to scour delicate pots and pans. They can also be glue together to make inexpensive trivets, and can also used as small, cheap pin cushions in your sewing drawer or basket.