Recycle = Reuse

 My neighbor got a new stove, and gave me her old one!  That's the best way to recycle -- keep a useful item in use!

Thanks for visiting. Be Fancy. Be Green.

B.Y.O.B.

How many times a week (a day) do you buy a cup of coffee or tea?  How about bringing your own mug so you can quit wasting all those single-use paper cups"  Even if shops use compostable cups, it still takes energy to make those cups.  Bring your own! :  )

Here's a link to our partner site, where you can read about two handy hot and cold beverage containers--one made by Zojirushi and the other by Thermos.

Thanks for visiting. Be Fancy. Be Green.

"Lower Emissions, Raise Your Voice"

More from San Francisco Greenfest:
Learned about The Alliance for Climate Education (ACE), a non-profit org "dedicated to educating America's high school students about the science behind climate change and inspiring them to do something about it—while having fun along the way."

I think their message and tips apply to all of us. I've copied some of their energy-reduction tips here:

1.Use compact florescent light bulbs - they use 1/4 the energy and last 10 times longer.
2.Unplug lamps and electronics when not in use. Even when turned off they use energy. Do this and reduce your carbon output by 1000 lbs.
3.Buy eco-friendly products.
4.Stop buying things you don't need.
5.Reuse, reuse, reuse. Shop at thrift stores, garage sales, etc.
6.Recycle.
7.Stop buying bottled water. Fill up at home and carry your own in an eco-friendly bottle made out of stainless steel.

How many of these things are you doing?

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Buy Used

It's great to support companies that make earth-friendly products, but there are other ways to be green. Next time you need a new desk or bed or couch or kitchen table, check out craigslist. I found a cool hand-made stainless steel Room & Board platform frame for under $300!! It was just what I was looking for -- and in excellent shape.

Also, check the free furniture section. Sometimes people just want to get rid of their stuff fast. Furnish your office or cabin with freebies that you can refinish or paint.

In Seattle we have Second Use and the Restore, both salvage shops that sell a variety of items that have been salvaged from schools, hotels, old buildings, and homes. You might find a gymnasium floor or a funky purple booth from a night club or old lockers (my personal favs). I'm taking in my bathroom sink to trade in for someone else's used bathroom sink. Recycle by reusing. It's fun, it's good for the planet, and you might just find some one-of-a-kind pieces of furniture.

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RECYCLE and REUSE in action

Sorry I haven't posted anything in 2 months. I've been busy. And I've been out of town for a month. I'm here in sunny, green, friendly MN, the land of milk and honey. I'm staying with my friends Tom and Sophie, and they are killer recyclers. In the old fashioned way -- they reuse everything that can't be recycled by their city recycling program.

1/They use a dehumidifier in the basement, and when it's full of water, they pour the water in the washing machine or use it for watering plants.

2/They realized that their radiators didn't need to be heating the walls, so they placed reflective insulation behind all of their radiators.  Now, the heat gets sent back into the room.. SO SMART.  

3/They reuse and reuse and reuse every plastic container they get. For snacks, for leftovers, for packed lunches. Same with plastic bags - they wash and reuse tons of times.  

Same with jam jars--which become drinking glasses!! 

4/They compost every food item -- starting in the kitchen unit, which gets emptied into a huge compost container in their backyard.

So, lesson here: what's better than recycling -- reusing until you can't find any more use.  Then recycle.

Naturally, I had to get them a house present for hosting me for a month. I found this funky vase at a consignment shop that fits perfectly in their red and orange-themed living room. 

Who knows how many times it was re-gifted before it landed in the shop. 

Who knows if my friends will re-gift it once I'm gone? Check out a close up of the funky detailing.

Bye, Bye........

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