Oct
26
Categories: Nashville Recycling
Tags: earth savers, earthsavers, going green, green, nashville, recycling
Oct
26
With so many Americans throwing away large amounts of their old clothing each year, which, inevitably, wind up in landfills, the environmental disasters continue to exist. This can be so easily avoided, as well as, economically sound with just using a little creativity. Since textiles are easy to recycle and reuse, instead of trashing the old clothes, try salvaging them using these ideas:
• Hand-Me-Downs
If you have younger children, the most practical use of the hand-me-downs would be, obviously, to hand it down. However, if you do not, there are online services dedicated to trading hand-me-downs, or for just donating clothing to the cause. It is a great way to clean up a child’s closet and save on clothing.
• Donate
This is a good way to ensure reuse. If you have no family members to benefit from your old clothes, there are plenty of charities that would be happy to receive them. Also, if you choose this route, be sure to itemize each piece, or at least take pictures, and get receipts so you can write off the donation on your taxes.
• Sell
If you have the time, energy and patience, have a yard sale. This way you could focus your efforts on your community. Invite some friends and/or neighbors to share in the sale, or include church groups and clubs. Bigger and better organized yard sales usually attract more potential customers, and keeps people from stopping and starting their cars repeatedly.
Sell to the highest bidder. Earn a little cash for yourself by selling your items on consignment in local thrift stores, or on an internet auction site. There are quite a few reputable sites on the internet.
• Turn Old Clothes into New Clothes
With a little ingenuity and cosmetic alterations, an old dress can be transformed into a new one. An embroidered motif, dash of paint, or modified hemline can breathe new life into an otherwise drab piece of clothing. Clothing that is beyond rescue can be made into baby clothes. A man’s pair of jeans can usually provide enough material for a boy’s pair. Turn a skirt into a cute little blouse for a little girl.
• Doll Clothes
Kid’s old clothes are great for making doll clothes. Let the child design and create the clothes. It will help stimulate the child’s creativity and provide productive time spent. Bears make good models for clothing as well.
• Craft Projects
There are so many kinds of craft projects awaiting your creative mind. Cut small pieces of old clothes up to 4” x 4” and sew together to make quilts. Cut smaller pieces for stuffing throw pillows. Make bedding for pets. Laundry bags can be made from old dresses by closing the bottom with Velcro or buttons and storing the laundry through the neck of the dress. Fashion accessories, such as wallets or fashionable bags, can be transformed from old t-shirts and jeans. Children can learn how to sew with the fabric of old clothing. You and your child can make stuffed animals or wall-hanging decorations together.
• Composting
One hundred percent cotton fabric is compost-friendly. Cut up t-shirts, underwear, old jeans (no spandex), and bury them in the pile. Just be sure to remove any elastic waistbands.
• Cleaning Rags
Clothes that are unworthy of any of the above options still have a purpose. Put them in a rag pile. Instead of using tons of paper towels for cleaning, reach for one of your rags.
Recycling is one of the ways we can remain sustainable, particularly in today’s age of high consumption. It not only provides for people, but also reserves our resources for future utilization.
Remember – whenever you have something you would normally throw away – consider this: Instead of asking, “Is this something I can reuse,” the question should be “how can I reuse it?”
Check back for more Nashville recycling tips.
Oct
7
For much of the modern world, the United States is a leader in politics, economics, and in buying power, but when it comes to the environment, how eco-friendly is the United States? While “organic,” “green,” or “environmentally friendly” products seem to be everywhere today, do they really represent an eco-friendly stance by the United States? To determine how eco-friendly the United States is, it is important to view how consumers and federal agencies implement green processes in day-to-day affairs.
For many consumers, living green has come to mean more than just buying products labeled “biodegradable” or “green.” In fact, a huge share of consumer power has shifted toward buying environmentally friendly and responsible products. A study by Green Seal and EnviroMedia Social Marketing reveals that 4 out of 5 consumers are buying green products and services – even with the downturn in the economy. There were many cited reasons for their buying decisions, with only 9 percent stating green advertising as their main influence. Twenty-one percent cited product reputation, 19% word of mouth, and 15% stated brand loyalty as their reason for buying. An excellent turn around it would seem. But counter these study results with the report by TerraChoice, which found 95 percent of 5,000 items in US stores were guilty of “green washing” – essentially making false claims about the ecological benefit of their products. So while consumers seem willing and able to commit significant funds toward truly green products, it seems the market is unwilling or unable to produce them, depending on false claims and unverified data to brand their products “green.” A large part of the problem is the voluntary guidelines imposed by federal regulators, which are 20 years old and offer little oversight as to how it’s being translated by producers or consumers.
With so much of the consumer market in turmoil over truth in green marketing, how do federal agencies fare in eco-friendly habits? The Obama Administration has made green initiatives and action a big part of their platform and while some federal buildings have received green makeovers, a study by Deloitte reveals that federal agencies have a long way to go because of a lack of resources and leadership in implementing wide-ranging, comprehensive green changes and updates. While green measures often save money over the long-term, they do require an upfront cost for greener technologies and converting existing programs and plans to eco-friendly standards. And in the midst of a debt crisis that has led to budget cuts nationwide, many agencies simply don’t have any more stones to squeeze. But even so, the Obama Administration continues to delegate green expectations across the board, including a recent memorandum stating by the end of 2015, all vehicles purchased for the federal fleet must be hybrids or powered by electric, compressed natural gas, or biofuel. But when federal agencies lack a cohesive baseline or performance measures, it is difficult to see how they will be able to implement the many green initiatives proposed by the White House.
In determining how eco-friendly the United States really is, it is astonishing to see how much of the world really isn’t. While living green and conservation efforts seem to be at the forefront of many people’s minds, the odds seem stacked against consumers and federal agencies in the deceptive marketing practices used to sell green products and a generally inability to produce the funds needed to implement the practices. It seems heavy reform is needed to regulate the standards for which products can be called green and a comprehensive response from the White House before the United States can be called a leader in eco-friendly and green initiatives.
Eager to learn more about how you can do your part? Visit Nashville Recycling company, Earthsavers on Facebook or Online at http://www.earthsavers.org
