Credit: AltUse, Inc.
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While recycling is always a better option than throwing your trash in a landfill, it still requires tons of energy--and even some new material. But giving items you already own a new life by upcycling them is more efficient; it also saves time and money. That's why we love AltUse.com, where you can find a purpose for everything from instant mashed potatoes to old shopping bags.
The site is easy to use: Just search by the task you want to complete or by the product you want to use. Need an ice pack? Try sponges. Out of gift tags? See a simple suggestion for DIY cards. Stuck with a clogged drain? Check out a recipe for non-toxic cleaner. From feeding hummingbirds to easing snoring, the solutions are a diverse mix of home remedies, natural ingredients, and reused materials. And if you'd rather see what you can do with what you already have, skim the products page, where you'll find 67 uses for vinegar, 26 uses for newspaper, 14 uses for vodka, and 15 uses for a banana. You can also vote on your favorites—and see what other users voted for in the most popular categories.
So before you throw away a shirt with ink stains on it (just use hairspray!) or shell out for the pricey, garden-store fertilizer (coffee grounds will work just as well!), save the time—and money—by fixing, reusing, and upcycling what you already have; you'll cut back on consumption and get more out of your budget while making your carbon footprint a little smaller.
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