The power of the words REuse, REpurpose, & REduce

One of the things that I try to do on a daily basis is to challenge myself to think outside of the box. For instance, when I look at an old butter container, I see: a planter, a pencil holder, a bell, a Christmas ornament, a squirrel guard, a dog travel dish, a waterproof sunflower, and many other things. It is thinking like this that has helped me to REuse and REpurpose everyday items that we, as humans, take for granted......thus REducing my environmental impact. :)
Two great sites are helping that happen more often now: Craigslist & Freecycle.
http://www.freecycle.org/
http://www.craigslist.org/about/sites
These two sites offer everything from firewood to french maid costumes, and often for FREE. These measures keep items in use and out of landfills, while keeping families outfitted. I cannot rave enough about how much these sites have helped myself, my family, and my friends.

Families around the globe are now thinking twice before they run out and purchase brand new items, because they want the planet to be around and be healthy for their children and their grandchildren. One such family was in the Reader's Digest in 2008 as buying nothing for a month. That one month changed the Hoch's life forever and showed them exactly what they needed to live, and they were happier and healthier for it. :)
http://www.rd.com/home-garden/hochman-family-cuts-spending/article99718.html

More recently, a family in Okotoks, Canada ventured into the news as a family that bought nothing for the YEAR!!!
http://newswire.freecycle.org/2010/04/16/western-wheel-family-stops-buying-new-stuff-for-one-year/

Personal friends of mine, the Moseleys, have moved across the nation well over four times now, and every time they move, they empty their house via craigslist & freecycle. When they get to their new place, they re-furnish via craigslist & freecycle. Shara Moseley once told me, "It is so rewarding living this way-it makes you value the important things in life, and not possessions." The Moseley family has now been REusing, REpurposing, and REducing for over six years. <3

So the next time you go to throw out that perfectly fine laundry basket that you never use, THINK TWICE. Offering it up to the trash gods might be the quickest thing to do, but is it the best thing to do???