I'm not what I would consider a 'green' person- as in recycling. But I do try to do my best when I can. A lot of folks see thrift store shopping as a form of recycling, which it is. There are lots of ways to recycle clothing and everyday objects. There are countless blogs and websites that will show you ideas of how to 'up-cycle' items. But in my home, the main area that we dedicate to recycling is in the kitchen. In our town we are fortunate enough to have a recycling pick up bin along with our trash pick up bin. When we were first married the recycle bin was a little brown box about the size of a Rubbermaid storage bin- not a lot would fit into it and we left it outside so we practically never really recycled. Shortly after, the town distributed big recycle bins- the same size as the trash bins and instructions on what could be recycled and what couldn't. My husband and I decided to really try to be better about recycling so we placed a small bin with handles in our kitchen next to the trash can to help us recycle- and we became hooked. You never realize what all can be recycled until you take the time to think about it before you throw something away. Our trash can needs to be taken out about once a week. Our recycling bin needs to be taken out about 4 times a week. To help reduce the town's carbon footprint, we don't take our trash bin out to the curb unless it is full which has become about once a month. A few weeks ago we added another bin for compost. We are making our garden bigger than it was last year and my husband decided to create a compost pile. So now, all of our food trash is thrown into the compost bin and it is taken out about every other day.
Our little compost can, trash can, and recycle bin.
With the recycling and compost we hardly have any trash. It isn't a lot, but it makes me feel good that I'm doing what I can to help our planet. It has also made me realize how much recycling can be done outside of the kitchen. Paper clothing price tags, shampoo bottles (with the acceptable codes), and detergent boxes can all be recycled. I'm not saying you need to run out and start doing this too, but for our family having a special container for recyclables helps. Be sure to check what items can and can't be placed in the bins. For example, in our town glass can't be placed in the bin, but it can be taken to the recycling center.
Now, another form of recycling or 'up-cycling.' I found this vintage window (and another) at a flea market for $13 apiece plus 20% off. I cleaned the border, sanded it down, cleaned the glass, and then my husband re-caulked the edges and added twine rope so I could hang pictures. I absolutely LOVE how it turned out!
I finally finished my Arkansas Razorback football wreath. Now I just have to wait until football season rolls back around.
I also completed my egg wreath; I added some orange ribbon. Note: be sure to leave a little extra length of fishing line because the ribbon takes up a lot more space then you would think.
Here's hoping you stumble upon some great finds of your own and are able to do some recycling as well. : )
With the recycling and compost we hardly have any trash. It isn't a lot, but it makes me feel good that I'm doing what I can to help our planet. It has also made me realize how much recycling can be done outside of the kitchen. Paper clothing price tags, shampoo bottles (with the acceptable codes), and detergent boxes can all be recycled. I'm not saying you need to run out and start doing this too, but for our family having a special container for recyclables helps. Be sure to check what items can and can't be placed in the bins. For example, in our town glass can't be placed in the bin, but it can be taken to the recycling center. 
Here's hoping you stumble upon some great finds of your own and are able to do some recycling as well. : )
