Ideas to Rethink and Repurpose Items

• Before buying something, ask yourself:
  • Will I use it in a year?
  • Do I already have something similar to it at home?
  • Can I buy it second hand? Do I really need this?
  • Will it create unnecessary waste?
• When you are buying something, consider:
  • Can each component be taken apart and repaired if needed?
  • Can the item be recycled whole?
  • If not, can each component be taken apart and recycled?
  • Is this product made to last?
  • Are there alternatives with longer useful lifespan?
  • Are the products made with recycled content and minimal packaging?
  • Can you buy it in bulk or make it yourself – such as using a yogurt machine rather than buying individual yogurt packages.
  • Are there refurbished options?
  • Can you get a digital receipt instead of printed receipt?
  • For tips on what to look for when you shop for new clothes, visit Metro Vancouver Think Thrice about Your Clothes.
• You can repurpose diaper tabs. Yes, it's a tiny thing, but... they stick to felt boards, so instead of buying the stickers for story felt boards, use these tabs to instead.
• Use discount fabrics to sew bags and wraps for all gift giving - they can be reused forever.
• Save takeout containers and re-use them to pack lunches or store food.
• Make reusable cloth snack bags. These make great party favours for little kids.
• Hoses often get holes in them or the ends get damaged.  Instead of garbage, they are perfect for use in setting up drip irrigation systems.
• Use old textiles to make dog blankets, reusable cloth paper towels, acoustic wall panels, etc.
• Use plastic containers as plant pots to give away as gifts.
• Divide your plants as they grow and give them away in a recycled container.
• Cut up clean t-shirts that can't be used anymore. Use them instead of cotton pads.
• Wash in laundry mesh bag to avoid loss in the machine.
• Reuse bags from stores as gift bags.
• Decorate with old cards to hide the store name. You get to be creative and reuse materials at the same time.
• Encourage your school metalworking, wood-working and textile classes to use and improve old furniture and textiles in their projects.
• Use the unwritten side of Christmas/birthday cards for good quality scrap paper.
• Before recycling an item, ask yourself if it can be repurposed.
• Use bread tags as decorations on homemade cards.
• Recycle packaging material as gift wrap. Add some paint and ribbon to jazz it up.
• Produce ties can be used to tie together cables/keep them organized.
• Cut tubes from toothpaste, lotion, etc. in half and scrape out what's inside as needed, getting up to 10 days more use.