Re-using stuff is somewhat of a lost art in modern society today. It’s not uncommon for people to buy new as soon as something gets a little bit battered or worn or the second a new flashier product version becomes available. Case in point, people who view computers as a disposable commodity the moment a newer model bursts onto the scene. They upgrade their entire computer system rather than to simply upgrade their hard drive, a cheaper, more effective alternative.

It’s all part of our increasingly materialistic and spoilt consumerist society. What we need to do is to rediscover some of the spirit of industry our parents and grandparents had, particularly now we know the environmental cost of throwing away packaging and the increasing volatile economic period we’re all living through, where we simply don’t have the money to buy things brand new all the time.

A great place to start helping the environment and your fellow man is to go to charity shops and drop any clothes you had thought about throwing away because they’re longer of use anymore. That way they’ll go to someone that can put them to good use. There was never a truer expression than “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” giving your old clothes a new lease on life while avoiding the landfill.

If you have items that are in reasonably good condition that are no longer of use to you and clogging up wardrobe space, why not consider eBay? Not only does your old stuff have a purpose again but you have the opportunity to make a few bucks in the process too.

Another big area where we create a lot of wastage is with our plastic bags every time we go shopping. Simply throwing them in the bin does not mean that that is where its journey ends, quite the contrary, that’s where it begins the long and arduous process of breakdown over several years, adding to the contamination and clutter of our landfills. So begin reusing your existing plastic bags, at least 3 to 4 times which markedly decreases the amount of plastic bags you would have otherwise used. Better yet, invest in a durable cotton version that can last for months, is made from sustainable materials and is biodegradable. Just think of all the plastic bags you would have avoided using.

Now, much of the waste we produce isn’t of the type that can be dropped off to local charities or sold on eBay, things like food or dead plants. You can use this organic refuse to create a compost heap to nourish a growing garden which can feed you and your family, saving on shopping bills. You could even sell some of your own produce locally.

Recycling your old scraps as compost allows you to greatly reduce the amount of throwaway waste which all ultimately ends up in the landfill. The disadvantage of organic waste in landfills is that it breaks down and with bacterial decomposition is converted into dangerous methane gas which is toxic to inhale and highly unstable. The same goes for meat scraps, if you find yourself with large quantities of decomposing meat, for the sake of hygiene and your sense of smell, bury it. This also introduces nutrients directly back into the soil where it can be put to good use.

Even if it may seem a little much for you, bare with it because by themselves doing things just once will not contribute to a huge difference to you or the environment but rather through a concerted effort over a period of time. With consistent effort each day, it becomes second nature.

Green Living