I get knocked down
But I get back on my blog and start posting again. Creating a habit can be hard. Writing consistently in a blog is hard. Maybe third time is a charm?
Things You Should Never Buy New
Eco tip #402: Reuse where you can. Buy from thrift stores. If you’re in need of the following items, consider a thrift store before anything else. Many stores benefit a charity, so win-win there. Items are discounted from newly manufactured counterparts and, of course, the embodied energy, materials, and water in reused goods is much less than new goods. And you’re saving landfill space.
Cardboard boxes – Why? People have to carry their donations in something. You’ll be saving work hours for the employees and volunteers who would otherwise have to break down the boxes and you’ll be saving the fees recyclers charge. If the organization doesn’t have enough boxes for you today, ask them if they could save some for you and I’ll bet they have more tomorrow.
Hangers – Same reason as cardboard, people bring clothes in on clothes hangers. They are abundant at the store. Again, if they don’t have the amount you want, ask them to put some aside for you.
Books – Find them in your neighborhood “Little Free Libraries” https://littlefreelibrary.org/ or pay pennies for them at the thrift store. Then bring them back to share with others!
Paper towel holders – I think these are a useless waste of space but some people swear by them. I promise you, one that you like is waiting there for you.
Gift wrap and gift bags – If you’re still buying gift wrap and wrapping presents, get with the times! Gift bags are reusable and have a long life. They can be recycled when their life runs out. And thrift stores are bursting at the seams with them. If for some inexplicable reason they are not, you can always buy some of their pillow cases or linens (tied with a lovely bow) to suffice.
Toys – You know your kid has too many anyways. Your neighbors have the same problem. You’re all donating them to the thrift stores, right? Or, you will be soon. If they need to play with the latest and greatest, go ahead, buy it new. But all the basics are right there at the thrift store for pennies on the dollar, including all board games.
Now that I’ve covered at least four items that no one should have an excuse to buy new, let’s consider everything else that a thrift store has to offer!
Silverware – Okay, I understand you might want a set that matches, but after that, a thrift store has every utensil you’ll ever want or need. The same goes for glasses, mugs, plates, and bowls!
Decorative pillows – They overflow at thrift stores. If you don’t mind a little sewing and don’t like the covers they offer, sewing a slipcover is easy!
Candles – Strangely, a lot of people donated unused candles. Go see for yourself.
Soap dishes, picture frames, pictures in frames, linens, storage containers of all kinds, sporting equipment, and pet supplies.
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Studio Jill 