DIY Sustainable Practices- Recycling things at home!

The utility of many objects at our homes and offices need not end once they fulfill their primary roles. There are about ten things randomly lying around in your space which you can easily reuse or recycle before tossing them in the trash can. Reusing such items automatically increases their shelf life as well as utility. On the surface, reducing your environmental footprint can appear to be a daunting task, especially when you notice that those around you are not doing their part. But when you break it down into small steps, you realise you have more power than you thought.

Living minimally has a lot to do with such small sustainable steps before we take extremely big ones- like cutting off plastic completely.

While a no plastic world would be ideal, it is important to understand that change starts small. We first need to eliminate practices that are unnecessarily causing harm to the environment. For eg- Before throwing away empty bottles/containers, you can think of ways they can be reused.

Such small steps can make a considerable difference. When it comes to sustainability, the best solution is to start by being mindful. We have all learnt the three important - Rs in school- ‘Reduce, Reuse and Recycle’- but how often do we actually pay attention to our everyday habits?

Global warming and environment change are changing the world rapidly and the earlier we start our journey towards a greener planet, the better. 

Here are a few simple and doable sustainable DIY practices that will help you start off on your green journey:

Reuse, Reuse, Reuse:

It’s pretty simple. The trick is to pick up all the waste  boxes/containers lying around in your house that are not being used anymore and finding ways to put them to use.

Let’s see how by these recycling ideas!

Empty shampoo/lotion bottles:

Out of your favorite shampoo? Yes go buy a new one but don’t throw the old bottle away! You can put your empty shampoo and lotion bottles to use in many ways. One of them being- Containers. We have a lot of stuff in the bathroom that we just throw on the shelves and don’t bother to arrange properly. Cut off the top of your shampoo/ lotion bottles and after washing it thoroughly, you can use it to store basic toiletries like your razors, brushes, floss etc.

Many brands in the market offer refills for shampoos and moisturizers. If you use such brands, you can use the same bottle and run for a refill every month! This alternative saves excessive plastic waste and helps you move forward on your green journey.

Big juice/water bottles:

You know how we have parties and we end up ordering these large coca cola bottles and even bigger bisleris? Don’t toss them into the trashcan the next morning. REUSE THEM. 

Big bottles like these have a broad base which makes them a great alternative for plant pots. Just cut the upper half or 3 quarters of the bottles and plant suitable veggies or flowers in your bottle pot! Another trick is to drill three holes in a triangular manner around the bottle for a rope and turning your bottle pot into a hanging plant! 

Yet another sustainable practice is rainwater harvesting. Don’t worry if you do not have a rain water harvesting system, you can simply DIY one. Again, by using these plastic bottles or any other broad container. Just leave them in your backyard/roof or window and use the collected water to water your plants, wash dishes etc. This will not only reduce your water bill but also avoid wastage of excessive water.

Old Clothes for a quilt

Quilts can be very handy and multi purpose. You can make your own unique quilts by upcycling old clothes and fabrics and using diverse color combos to make your quilt stand out. 

Happy sewing! 

Old CDs:

Putting away your old records to replace with new ones? Old CDs can be very good accessories for your wall. You can paint, draw and do about ten other things on old CDs to upcycle them into pretty wall hangings for your room! 

Empty lipsticks:

Don’t throw away the case of your empty lipsticks! Instead you can reuse them to DIY your own lippie or lip balm! Just throw in some petroleum jelly along with lipstick tint, freeze it for a few hours and voila! You have the same lipstick mold but a different formula and shade! 

Replace tissue rolls:

Tissue rolls don’t seem like a big issue, but if looked at carefully, most of our trash includes tissues. Tissues used for wiping windows, kitchen top, dishes, etc can be easily replaced with a good quality washable cloth. A cloth can not only be reused but also helps clean better. So put that foot forward and eliminate the unhealthy number of tissue rolls in your kitchen cabinet!

Replace your plastic straws:

Why do you have a pack of plastic straws lying in your kitchen drawer when you can buy a single steel straw and reuse it!? Steel straws are an incredible pick when it comes to sustainable alternatives. They are not just reusable but can also be carried when you go out! 

Recycle your garbage 

While most of the garbage we take out is separated and recycled, you can now make your own compost from garbage! There are many videos and simple tutorials on the internet that can direct you to make your own compost bin. You can then use that compost for your garden!

These are only a few ways to recycle at home that can help you kick start your journey on living a more sustainable life. You can research, observe and easily find more ways around the house! You may already be doing some, or maybe all, of these things, which is amazing but we hope you find some more interesting ways through this blog.