At home with recycling

Practicing the three Rs at home can be fun and exciting . The only tools you need are a caring heart and a thinking mind . Make more with less and use less to make a big difference to planet Earth . 

Cupboard 

• Paint , decorate , repair or donate shoes . Some shoe brands accept used shoes and reuse them to make surfaces of tracks and courts ! 
• Donate clothes , pass them on to siblings or make quilts , cushions or cleaning rags .

Lights 

• Switch off lights when not needed .
• Use compact fluorescent lamps to save energy .

Taps 

• Turn off taps while brushing your teeth . 
• Use a glass of water when rinsing your teeth .
• Wash clothes in cold water . Air - dry and sun - dry them wherever possible .
• Use the energy - saving settings on your dishwasher and let dishes air - dry .

Kitchen 

• Wash dishes in cold water .
• Use egg shells for composting .Place leftover seeds and bread crumbs in the garden as bird food .

• Reuse plastic and glass bottles as containers . Recycle what is not needed .
• Wash fruits and vegetables and rinse dishes in a plugged sink or bowl instead of under running water . 
• Use reusable grocery shopping bag .
• Buy cereal boxes and juice cartons in bulk to reduce buying more packaging .
• Use cleaning clothes instead of paper towels .

Garage

• Recycle the mental parts of a bicycle . 
• Handle - bars , chains , inner tubes , and seats are useful for artist and designer .

Living room 

• Clean , repair , or donate carpets . Cut them up into floor mats for the home or car . Use as compost bin cover in winter .

Study 

• Use newspapers magazines to wrap presents . Recycle the rest .
• Turn off the computer when done . The 'stand - by ' mode uses electricity .
• Donate books to a charity or library . Sell them online . Books cannot be recycled because they are bound by glue .
• CDs : Recycle or cover with felt and use as coasters . Make a wind chime with old CDs .
• Hang them from plants to keep birds away .
• Recycle envelopes , junk mail , catalogues, and coloured paper .

Garden 

• Wash vehicles , outdoor furniture , and the family Pet on the grass - this will water your lawn . 
• Use a trigger nozzle on your garden pipe . Add compost instead of fertilisers to grass and potted plant .