I was thinking about recycling today – but not recycling bottles and cans, recycling MANY everyday objects we come into contact with.
I love recycling clothing – sometimes it involves clothing swaps, getting together with others to trade used clothing that you are not using anymore. I also like recycling clothing by cutting it up and turning it in to quilts. You can even recycle clothing by adjusting it to make it new (making pants into shorts or shorts into pants, etc.
I love recycling books – passing them to my friends, trading them to used bookstores for “new” used books, donating used books to our local library so that I know they are used over and over. I have also donated used books to art studios for art projects. There are so many cool things to do with old books – you can even carve out the inside and make a secret hidden place for your treasures!
I love recycling toys – I either donate them to shelters, nursery schools, or places like Good Will.
What do you love to recycle???
today, 251 days ’til 40, I realize that part of reducing my carbon footprint is recycling things that can still be valuable and useful to others. I do not have to throw these things away, I can make sure they are used by people who will enjoy them, instead of being tossed into the landfills. It is good to recycle, and to share!
~400daystil40
Fortuitous Forty!!! 
bellissimom
June 15, 2012 at 00:17
I also love recycling books by passing them along to family & friends. My mom & I have a whole group we share with. We also do this with audio books. Also, I like taking all of our used batteries to be recycled.
400daystil40
June 16, 2012 at 01:06
Yes, those are both wonderful! Yes, in our house we often pass books around to friends and family before they are donated to the local library. 🙂
Katie
June 15, 2012 at 03:39
My family has a long history of both donating to and haunting the Goodwill stores. One day one of my aunts dropped by grandma’s for a quick visit. Grandma: “I like your shorts. I think I gave a pair like it to the Goodwill.” Aunt: “Funny, that is where I just got these from!”. I guess we need to learn to cut out the middle man 8)
400daystil40
June 16, 2012 at 01:00
This made me laugh so hard! I think that is great!!!!! 🙂
DiatribesAndOvations.com
June 15, 2012 at 15:55
I’m with you. I try to never throw away anything that someone else might be able to use. While recycling plastic/cans/paper can be quite a chore for many (http://wp.me/p1se8R-7P) I find that Good Will Industries makes it easy to drop off unwanted clothing and other items so that someone else can put them to good use.
400daystil40
June 16, 2012 at 00:59
Yes, very true! I have donated so much to Good Will over the years!
mountainmae
June 15, 2012 at 17:57
I like recycling clothes and books but also flower pots- seedlings go in last years plastic (after washing) and broken clay get broken up and used for drainage.
400daystil40
June 16, 2012 at 00:58
Great ideas!
viveka
June 15, 2012 at 21:42
This with clothing, toys and books – brilliant – there is so many in need out there. I have given 1200 books away – and my clothes I give away to 3rd world.
400daystil40
June 16, 2012 at 00:44
Wow, that is so great! We do similar!!! 🙂
silverbells2012
June 16, 2012 at 00:47
Charities will even use your old clothes that are no good to be passed on as material for things like blankets.
400daystil40
June 16, 2012 at 01:07
Yes! 🙂
simon7banksS
June 27, 2012 at 11:22
Compost. Anything compostable – potato and fruit peelings, the inedible bits of vegetables, banana skins, eggshells – into the compost maker with it to go with mown grass, pulled out weeds etc etc etc.
400daystil40
June 27, 2012 at 21:57
Yes, I wish I had a garden and could compost!