There are many easy ways to reuse a wide range of everyday household
objects and prevent these from going into landfill.

Before you throw anything away, or even before you put it in the recycling bin think about how the item could be reused.

For example by choosing reusable nappies you could potentially divert several thousand nappies from landfill.

Below are some other suggestions of how to reuse those everyday bits and pieces.

Carrier bags

Carrier bags can be reused in the shops or as bin bags around the house. Paper bags
also make useful wrapping paper.

Envelopes

By sticking labels over the address you can reuse envelopes. Alternatively, old envelopes can be used as scrap paper to make notes on.

Jars and pots

By cleaning glass jars and small pots, you can use them as small containers to store odds and ends

Newspaper, cardboard and bubble wrap

Make useful packing material when moving house or to store items.

Mobile phones

Mobile phones are valuable to many charities. They could sell them as a source of revenue or send them to be used in developing countries where there is a great demand for mobile phones due to poor communication systems.

Spectacles

Donate unbroken spectacles to organisations that send them to people in developing countries. You can ask your optician if they collect spectacles for Vision Aid or visit the Vision Aid Website.

Packaging

Such as foil and egg cartons can be donated to schools and nurseries, where they can be use in art and craft projects.

Scrap paper

Can be used to make notes and sketches. Don't forget to recycle it when you no longer need it.

Used wood

Can be used in woodcrafts for making objects such as a spice rack or a bird table. Alternatively it could be used as firewood.

Old Electrical Equipment

Donate old electrical equipment to schools or community centers so that others can reuse them.

Donate Old Clothes and Books

Other people can reuse your unwanted clothes and books when you donate them to charity shops.

Car-boot Sale

Have a car-boot sale and get rid of some unwanted items. Other people may find a use for them, plus it gives you the opportunity to earn some extra cash.