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Seven ways to reuse plastic soda bottles and save money

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Recycled Plastic Bottle Gardening

Recycling the plastic products is a most efficient way to cut-down the money and carbon emission. Especially the plastic soda bottles which are used in huge number by the people. Most interesting thing in reusing the plastic bottles is, it can be easily recycled and reused at home and it can be used for various purposes. It reduces our expenses and pollution. Let us see 7 ways to reuse plastic soda bottles.

Recycled plastic bottle gardening

This is the most common method of reusing the bottles. It is mostly used for growing food grains and for growing small plants in urban areas. Even you can make a garden using bottle plants, since it is easy, it used by urban households. We can place it any where in the home and also we can make some decoration to make it look good. It is also easy, as it just needs a cut in the bottle to grow plants. So no need to buy a pot.

Festive patio lighting

Another most common method of reusing the bottles is "Lighting". It will look more beautiful and colorful during Christmas. Just insert two or three LEDs into the bottle opening and fix it on the roof or Christmas tree or door. Just take a dozen bottles and fix it together for more light. Definitely it will save up to $50 during Christmas or any celebrations.

Water your plants

If you have a small garden in your home then this is the best money saving way to reuse the bottle. You can make a automatic or manual watering can using the empty bottles. Just make a spike at the opening and use it for watering. If you fix the bottle in a holder then it will water the small plants automatically. It will save around $ 25.

Workout weights

One of the innovative way to use the bottle is using it as a Workout Weight. Just fill the bottle with sand and seal the bottle cap using tape. 1 liter soda bottle is equal to 2.5 pound weight. It will save $10 for 1 liter bottle and also it can be used to practice juggling. One main thing is you have to choose the right shape for this use, as soda bottles have different shape.

Juicer

Few soda bottles like Poland spring will have a juicer like bottom, so it can be used as a orange juicer. Just cut down the bottle at the bottom and tape the outer surface to make it more stiff or else you can use it without tap. You have to choose a bottle with large bottom and juicer cone shaped bottom. Scott Amron designed this juicer and also made it for sale at $ 6.5. It is easy to clean and pour the juice without wasting. It will save from $ 5 to $ 10 in your expenses.

Disposable cup dispenser & storing

Another way of reusing is Disposable cup dispenser. Cut both ends of the narrow bottle and put disposable cups or tumblers. Choose the right bottle based on the cup size and make few adjustments, so that cups can fit into it. This idea will space some space in you cupboard. Also you can use these bottles for storage purposes. For storing home made ingredients, cleaning liquids or oil. Also by making a cut at the bottom of flat bottle bottomed bottle to store nuts or to keep any products while cooking.

Bottle bowling set

Easiest way to reuse the bottles without making any cut is bowling set. Just clean the bottles and fill little bit of sand or water, so that it wont fall for wind and you can use it for playing bowling set at home. you need at least need 10 bottles (if similar bottles means if will look good) to make a bowling set. Definitely kids will love this set and also it saves lot of money.


Seven simple ways to use discarded wine bottles in your garden

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Wine bottles

The glassy and glossy texture of wine bottles looks quite alluring. Many of them have attractive colors and a boozy tint. But did you know what happens when we just chuck them out after use - they take about 4000 years to decompose! So it is better to recycle and reuse them and get the load off our landfills. And you can use them in your garden easily. You might want to remove the labels on these bottles before you start off. To do this, just soak them in a soapy hot water solution for 20-30 minutes. Remove and scrape off the label with ease.

1. Lighting fixtures

Lighting

You can make so many lighting fixtures from old wine bottles like a torch, chandelier, hurricane, candle holder, etc. To make a lamp, drill a hole into the bottom and then insert a bulb through a wire and hook the bottle anywhere desired. While drilling the hole, just wet the needle with cold water so that the glass does not crack. Cut off the top half and place candle right in the middle to create a hurricane. Try shoving in a taper candle though the spout of the bottle and then light it up. Cut off the circular base at the bottom and fit in a string of tiny light bulbs. You now have a luminous bottle.

2. Bottle trees

Bottle trees

You can adorn trees with used wine bottles in many ways. They add a bumpy touch to your trees. Simplest way is to just pop the mouth of the bottle inside a thin branch. If the tree has many bare branches then a whole bunch of wine bottles dangling look delightful. Lash many wine bottles together with strong silken threads or satin ribbons creating a garland. Tie the ends of the garland on two branches to put together a swinging display. You can even bury bottles at the base of a thick tree.

3. Fence creation

Fence

An attractive boundary line for your garden can be made with old wine bottles. The different hues of green, red, and brown jutting out at the edges will captivate passer bys. It is also easy to put up such a fence and you would not have to splurge on materials like wood or metal. If you have plots of garden beds spaced out in your lawn then you can demarcate their edges using old wine bottles. You would not have to worry about them getting soggy in the rain or rusting like other materials.

4. Decanter for plants

Decanter

Affix and incline a bottle just above your plant. Fill it up with water which will slowly drip down and water your plants. This one is a huge time saver.

5. Wind chime

Wind Chime

Clinking and clashing of the wind chimes whenever a gust of breeze passes by is an excellent touch to your garden. Chimes of different designs can be made with wine bottles. Just suspend the whole bottle upside down and affix a bell through the mouth of the bottle. Otherwise cut of the bottom half, this again can be done in two ways. The bottom of the bottle can be broken off to create jagged sharp edges or cut off neatly to carve out a neat circular shape. Then hang a bell or metal spangles through it.

6. Pathways

Pathways

Outline a path with wine bottles buried along the edges. Just bury them halfway inside the soil. You can also bury them right inside the soil so that only the bottom circular portion of the glass comes up above the surface. This way you create a glass carpet of circular discs in your garden. Make sure that the bottles are stuffed tight into the earth and maintain a distance of an inch between them. Before burying the bottles just cork them to avoid the soil from filling up inside. Now people will not trample the grass when walking across your garden.

7. Décor

Decor

You can create interesting garden décor with these bottles. If you have the resources then just get your wine bottles re-blown. The bottles when reheated and reshaped acquire interesting and quirky shapes. You can get wine bottles flattened at the Flat Bottle Company. These look good in rugged or rustic gardens, especially ones filled with rocks, pebbles, and sand. Make flower pots out of your wine bottles and grow small ferns, creepers and other leafy plants in them. You can even have dainty colorful flowers shooting through. Allow moss to cultivate in your translucent bottles. Arrange wine bottles in shapes of a house, tree, etc.

10 coolest products made using recycled bottles

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Recycled bottle products

The world of recycling has completely changed the meaning of garbage and has produced some of the most stunning items. These garbage products are usually considered to be waste and useless and thus were one of the major sources of landfills and other pollution. Bottles are one of the major sources of pollution and landfills as they are present in plenty of number and also not used on a large scale. But now as the technology and the people out there have started concerning about the green future, the recycling process is started on a large scale for these bottles. The bottles can be easily recycled and can be made use quite easily as they are strong and durable. There are plenty of such products made completely out of bottles present in the current market these days' but only few out of them are worth of going for their ultimate use and conceptual design. So here we are with a list of 10 coolest products made using recycled bottles which are creating a buzz all around. Have a look!

1. Buddhist Temple

Buddhist Temple

The monks of the Thailand are pretty cool and creative and made this exceptionally awesome temple out of recycled products. They completely used the bottles to make this ultimate temple which took almost 1 million beer bottles. This holy temple is now serving plenty of people and is situated in a small town in Thailand. This temple is named Wat Pa Maha Chedi Kaew temple.

2. Spiral Island

Spiral Island

The Island are a rage among most of the people out there and they love being on an island for some period of time. So here is a completely Eco-friendly human-made island which is made completely out of plastic bottles. This artificial island was created by the artist Richart Sowa back in the year 1998. The artist used as many bottles as he could and placed sheets of plywood and bamboo over it for providing the strong base.

3. The Plastic Bottle Boat

The Plastic Bottle Boat

The plastic is highly toxic in nature and there is no particular way of using them other than going for recycling. Here is a cool and awesome fisherman boat made completely out of plastic. This boat is not only cool but is also completely Eco-friendly. This plastic boat is provided with plenty of plastic at the base of the boat for the proper sailing over the sea.

4. A Plastic Boat

A Plastic Boat

The boats are pretty famous and popular in the world of recycling and people out there are trying ways to build one using recycled products. Here is one such cool boat kind of stuff which is made completely out of plastic. Not only it is Eco-friendly, but also it is provided with an awesome design and cool structure.

5. Plastic Bottle Armor Suit

Plastic Bottle Armor Suit

Unity makes something strong but when it comes to the unity of bottles, they turn out to be ultra-strong and protective. This is an armor suite for all the people out there who need safety on the go. The best thing about this armor is that it is made completely out of plastic bottles and is very durable.

6. Comfortable, awesome Earthships

Earthship

The Earthships are a rage among the people out there who are into the recycling process. These Earthships are not only gorgeous and effective but are also easy to make and are worth durable and exotic. This piece of art is really hard to ignore and is so gorgeous that you will find it hard to take your eyes off them.

7. Recycled Bottle Dome Roof

Dome Roof

The bottles can serve plenty of ways and there is nothing better than this cool alternative. The awesome building Center for Alternative Technology (CAT) in Machynlleth is now turned green with this super exotic roof. They have made a domed roof at the top of the building which not only looks cool but also serves pretty well.

8. Beer Bottle Solar Water Heater

Beer Bottle Solar Water Heater

Now here is a double green nature system that not only combines the effective use of garbage beer bottles but also makes use of solar energy to harness the most out of sun's energy. This beer bottle solar water heater is one of the best creative products made using bottles and is really hard to ignore for its beauty and awesome concept.

9. Recycled Bottle Screen

Bottle Screen

Now here is something for all the fashion following people out there. This is a cool and awesome screen made completely out of recycled products. The plastic bottles are the items used for making this gorgeous screen which not only looks cool and elegant but also adds to the beauty of the surrounding.

10. Recycled Bottle Lamps

Bottle Lamp

The lamps are one of the most gorgeous items made these days' and especially the recycled lamps are so gorgeous that you will at times find it hard to take your eyes off them. This is one such cool recycled lamp which is made out of plastic bottles. This lamp is so freaking gorgeous that you not be able to stop adoring it.

Seven inspiring ways to recycle skateboards

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Recycle skateboards

Skating is obviously an expensive sport for the passionate skaters. If you are a regular skater, you will need to change your skateboards every month as the skateboards gets worn out with daily use. Skateboards are costly enough to be thrown away. An other reason might be, a skater's love and attachment towards the skateboard, never allows them to throw it away. Using the unused skateboards helps in the environment sanitation and health. Recycling a skateboard suggests to bring out beautiful and use worthy things from the old and broken skateboards. Those might be a table, a shelf, a bench, a deck stool, heels, pet feeder, a clock, etc.

1. Skateboard table

Skateboard table

The old skateboards can be used to prepare a designer table. The table can be used as a showpiece. It is really simple to make a table out of the skateboards. You need to find only the legs for the table and the skateboards can act as the base of the table, if two or three are joined together with the help of adhesives or screws and nails. You can use wooden or iron legs for the same. The table can help you put light house hold articles on it.

2. Skateboard shelf

Shelf

You can use your old skateboard as a shelf by fixing it to the walls of your study room or kitchen, to place books or light kitchen items on it. It takes neither enough time nor enough labor for the same. It also looks trendy on your walls. You can also make stands for the shelf and prepare a standing shelf with more than one rack. Bedroom will be the correct place to place the shelf.

3. Skateboard bench

Skateboard bench

You need to collect many skateboards to make a chair out of the unused skateboards. You can assemble the skateboards to make arms, legs and a long sitting place of the bench. This skateboard bench looks colorful and stylish. You can install it in your garden for better looks of your garden.

4. Skateboard deck stool

Skateboard deck stool

Making a deck stool out of these wastes helps a unique and trendy furniture to be created for no cost at all. When the skateboards are converted to deck stools, the scrapes and scars on the decks, create an lovely pattern to watch. Nowadays, these deck stools are becoming so popular that people do not bother paying a thick money to own one. It is gaining popularity all over the world gradually.

5. High heels

High heels

Ruined old skateboards are the best materials ever to make a high heel for the shoes. These high heels manufactured are mostly used as a summer beach outfit. These heels are in high demand for the sea beaches. People love to wear it and get into the sea as this heels cannot be hampered by the sea salt.

6. Pet feeder

Pet feeder

The worn out skateboards can be turned into very good, modern and artistic pet feeders with multiple utensils attached on it for your pets. As the skateboards are long, you have enough space to install two to three utensils on it. You can use stainless steel for easy washing and maintenance. You just need to cut the skateboard according to the sizes of the utensils you want to use as your pet feeder. After removing the cuts, you can make the utensils adhere to the skateboard. Then you can use them to serve food to your pets. You can also add stands to the feeder to maintain some height. This helps your pet to eat in an elevated height which helps to ease their neck and joint stress. The height does not allow excess air to enter your pet's stomach. Thus, it is helpful in digestion. You can use this feeder to serve both food and water. It is convenient for you to place the feeder where ever you want.

7. Painted clock

A clock

The skateboards can be used for acrylic paintings to manufacture beautiful wall hangings. Those paintings include scenery, pictures, flowers, birds, animals, etc. A fashionable and decorative wall clock can also be made by acrylic painting on the skateboards. Making a wall clock is not that much tough. You need to paint your skateboards with acrylic paints with innovative designs that looks new and pleasurable to people's eyes. You need to attach a wall clock on that painted skateboard and make it hang-able on the walls. This really looks new and enhances your drawing room beauty. People even pay up to 30 USD to buy one of the painted skateboards to decorate their houses.

10 products made using recycled bike chains

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Product made from bike chains

Reusing the waste products after recycling is a good practice, if there is a possibility for that. You can make use of them for a lot of helpful purposes in a brilliant way. If you have enough creativity and interest, you can make many things with waste products. There are several companies that make useful things from waste items. Most of them hit the market with huge customer satisfaction rate. Many employees are there who earn from this type of small-scale businesses. The recycling of waste items into useful things is a best way to prevent many kinds of environmental pollution. So those who want to be a part of the 'going green' movement can think about such useful things to save the earth.

Here, some interesting bike chain decorative items are displayed. Have you ever thought that you can make many fancy but useful items with an old bike chain? Yes, it is certainly possible. You can create wall clock, coffee-table, candle holder, picture frame, beautiful decorative lamps, rocking chair, etc with old bicycle chains. Let us discuss about ten different products that can be made from an old bike chain. Surely, these items are really useful, and they can bring a new look to the rooms.

1. Recycled Bike Chain Chair

Recycled Bike Chain Chair

What are your thoughts about a bike chain rocking chair? Of course, it is not an impossible thing to make a chair using bike chains. BRC designs has created a rocking chair with bike chains. The chains are fixed on the recycled heavy steal supporters. It is very comfortable to sit and relax with a cup of hot coffee.

2. Recycled Bike Chain Chandelier

Recycled Bike Chain Chandelier

Chandeliers are the robust looking items for our interior. A beautiful chandelier can add charm to the room. As we all know, glass beads and crystals are the main things to make a beautiful chandelier. However, here are some designers who think in a different way. The chandelier made from recycled cycle chains is really an amazing piece of art. This magnificent master piece was created by a Mexican artist.

3. Bike Chain Bowl

Bike Chain Bowl

It is a cute and useful bowl made out of old bike chains. It is definitely an ethnic piece to your drawing room. Only one drawback is there as it cannot carry food items. However, it can be a perfect wallet for coins or carrier for your car keys. What a different thought! Right?

4. Bicycle Chain Menorah

Bicycle Chain Menorah

It is a lamp stand that is made of recycled bike chains. The menorah is really unique and beautiful if you place the candles in the holders.

5. Candle Holder Made from Recycled Bicycle Parts

Candle Holder Made from Recycled Bicycle Parts

If you really want to contribute something to the environmentally friendly collection, you can create a recycled chain candle holder like this. The top part of this candle stand is made out of a bicycle cog flower and the‘s’ curve is made of a bicycle chain. It can be used as an industrial piece, and you can place it anywhere you need.

6. Bike Chain Tea Light Holders

Bike Chain Tea Light Holders

Bike chain tea light holder is really an outstanding decorative piece. See how beautifully the bike chain is arranged to carry the candle light! Really, it is a perfect light holder that expresses the theme of a bike.

7. Bike Chain Business Card Holder

Bike Chain Business Card Holder

Resource Revival is a company which makes useful materials with recycled bike chains. The business card holder is one of their awesome products. Actually, we can get different types of card holders from the market. However, this card holder with recycled bike chains really gives a new look to the table on which it is placed. It is sturdy as well as beautiful..

8. Bicycle Chain Picture Frame

Bicycle Chain Picture Frame

Let us give an industrial touch to our family photo. This is a product from Noah's ark international, a fair trade handicraft organization in India.

9. Chic Catena Wall Clock

Chic Catena Wall Clock

The Chic Catena wall clock is a compact but extra ordinary creation. To make this, the motor and the cycle chains are used. The clock displays time in an almost accurate manner. However, it can be a best choice to decorate the wall of your hall.

10. Bike Chain Ring Coffee Table

Bike Chain Ring Coffee Table

Del Cruiser is the designer who made this beautiful and attractive bike chain coffee table. The chain rings are of various sizes. They are welded together in a creative way under the glass platform of the table. This piece of art is certainly a good choice for the bike freaks to decorate their living area.

Five items from the trash bin that can beautify your garden

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Making a foster greenhouse effect

For nature lovers and gardening addicted buddies, one most important thing is to retain their plant and garden assets in most living and healthy situation among all unfamiliar surrounding. There are also some of major available ‘waste’ items also which give garden plants a full fledged growing fuel. Here are five best ‘waste but useful’ items are listed down which anybody can use broadly to nourish their garden whether there is need for indoor plant of fully itemized outdoor plant and also empty flower - vase and also frost damaged plants.

Some of useful trash items for gardens are listed down:

Modern and useful cinder chunks

Cinder blocks are one of the most useful things to grow specific type pf plants. Herein Aloe Vera is planted in cinder blocks. Whenever there are extra cinder blocks, they can be used as planters. As they can be used like planters, first they give plant a best root treatment healthy base.

Steps to follow: To use them as planters, first make it to sit as its upright position as shown in the figure. Place all of the block wherever you want in gardens. Put together all of the soil in the cinder chunk (empty part - hole). Then plant any of the desired plant or aloe vera or agave etc. Then the rest thing to do is to water the plant and thus the plant will grow at its best of the level at no cost.

Wine bottle water based plants

Waste old wine or beer bottles can be used perfectly to grow hydro plants and this provides finest nourishment to the little plant. Such type of trash bottles are thus a supplementary as the water planters and is best suited for small home gardens also.

Steps to follow: To use such type of bottles, firstly wash the bottle thoroughly with water and pour clean water in them. Then with the plant to be grown, cut out the leaves remained on the stem of the plant. Take off some of the leaves of the plant also if there is any necessity. After then just keep that leafless part of the stem in the watered bottle and enjoy a finest grow of the plant in wine bottles.

Making a foster greenhouse effect

Though plastic ‘lemonade’ containers are recyclable but they can be used for planting of seeds to create green house effect. This mini green house gives seeds a fully warm surrounding to grow and allows gardener to set them out side in the open space to grow when weather is perfect for plant.

Steps to follow: Get firstly a cleaned and powdered ‘lemonade plastic container’ and also a plastic rapper or small bag. First make the container wide apart by cutting specified upper narrow part of the container. Then after, punch out some little holes at bottom side to facilitate drainage and put soil and water in the chunk. Make a small divot type gap in the soil by pressing a single finger and plant single seed in every such type of divots. After this just cover and enclose the container with a plastic bag except a bottom part of the box and make seal using rubber band. It would be desirable to use a full transparent plastic for sealing to see development of the plant seedlings from outside. And put in to the direct sunlight near window or open porthole. Check out moisture level and water the seed frequently and again pack the chunk with plastic bag.

Egg carton as planter

Egg cartons works as a good plant seedling item. This type of method is best suited for indoor seeds to grow and also for the surroundings where before spring warm surrounding is available.

Steps to follow: At starting, take any of the dozen or half - dozen egg carton and cut out its lid. At the bottom of each of the eggs’ sit, make some of small sized holes. Fill out soil in the carton and put single seed in each single egg’s sit or section and water thoroughly the whole carton.

Waste items as planters

As different as useful planters, old mailboxes and tea kettle are also of great use. This is most common and effective 'best from waste' items available as planters!

Steps to follow: Take any type of small to medium mailbox and make some holes to its all walls and then fill out soil and water and this will works as a perfect and fast growing planter segment for small plants. Also tea kettle with broad wide opening mouth can be used as planters.

10 cool products you can make from an old cardboard box

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What is the first impression that comes to your mind when you heard the word "recycle". Most probably you must be imagining something like this separating paper, glass, cans. If you think so then you need to give it a second thought. You can recycle thing

Seven artistic ways to recycle old T-shirts

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Old T-shirts

“My wardrobe is full of T-shirts, but which one to wear.” This thought crosses almost everybody’s mind some time or the other, until we bang into a store and grab a new one. This new one becomes our best buddy to accompany us everywhere for at least few days till it did not assimilate praises from all our friends and retain its newness. Next the similar state revisits. Hence some ways should be sought after to get over this perennial problem.

We all have many a things lying around just we need a little spark to mend something new out of those. Let’s see the seven ideas here to get something new out of an old t-shirt.

1. We can use fabric colors, spray paint to draw, scribble whatever we want, etches a design or even write a very unusual quote. You read a book, find some catchy line, just write it out in your t-shirt. You can also go to a shop pick up your favorite colors and spray random on your old t-shirts. Sometimes even you get amazed at the result. There are some fixed color combinations set in our mind. This randomness offers you way to arbitrary combinations.

2. Some photo could be scanned and printed. You can also get your own photo or some pictures of your family, of your pets, your favorites scanned and printed on your t-shirt. Sometimes it can be according to the season. During cricket and football matches you can print the photo of your supporting team, or even during any other festivals the like can be done to suit the occasion.

3. Sometimes some gems or sparkle can add a new flavor to your plain tees. You can go to any craft shop and get some glittery pieces to add a novel touch. A simple tee can wear an ordinary look. Though too much of glitters would make it look cheeky, but little can be used for a different look.

4. You can easily shorten your full sleeves tees to quarter or even half sleeves. And sew some strips of ribbons to sleeve-ends, color and bottom. Even you can leave them frayed. Now worn-out styles have already hit the market. It gives a casual touch to your personality.

5. For old tees, you can easily stitch it into bag or cushion cover or pillow cover. T-shirts can easily be stitched into small bags or purses. This way you can have a lot of colorful bags and hand purses to match your dress. It would make a fashion statement also re-using the old tees. T-s can be stitched to cover a pillow or a cushion. You can also draw, or paste some patch works to give a different touch. With a plain bed-sheet a printed t-shirt cover would beautify with its contrast. Or a printed bed sheet may have a plain pillow cover.

6. Patch work is never an outdated style. Very bright t-shirts can be cut into irregular portions and stitched in a lighter one. Or the vice versa can also happen. The patches can be sometimes of geometric shapes, sometimes all of similar patterns, sometimes of all mixed, and many more.

7. Many tees can be stitched together to make a quilt for light winter. It becomes also very comfortable. Its light weight make you carry it anywhere you snuggle in winter to read your favorite author or watch your favorite TV show. It is both economic and comfortable.

Re-using an old t-shirt provides you a space to make your statement that reflects your personality. Rather it also acts as a boost to social gathering. Ask your friends to bring their old t-shirts to your home and all of you sit together with colors, paints, spray-paints, scissors, glue, thread and needle to present each other a brand new designer t-shirt. Or invite small kids in your family and surrounding for a hand printing occasion. Give those colors and old tees and see what they give you in return. It’s fun and re-use together. Overall it really feels good to wear something of your own creation.


10 Things you should know about plastics

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Plastic Bottles

The degradation of the environment is taking place at an alarming rate and it has become crucial for individuals to take some steps for preventing this process. Generally, people are not aware of the harmful effects of pollutants like plastic and thus they could not gauge the exact level of damage caused to the nature. As a result, not enough efforts are put in for preserving and conserving nature and it is making the condition even worsen. Here are presented a few startling facts about plastic which might make you aware of the consequences of using plastic products on this environment:

1. Slow decomposition rate

The decomposition rate of products made from plastic is utterly slow. It might be shocking to know that a single plastic bottle takes around 700 years to start decomposing in the ground. Can you even imagine how many bottles are used across the world and how many years these all bottles would take to decompose? Surely, the results would awaken you to contribute in the process of nature conservation.

2. Plastic forms the maximum of garbage in households

In this world of seven billion population, thousands of households claim of no or minimal use of plastic bags and bottles in their routine life. But, the real fact is plastic constitutes 11 percent of the total garbage in a household. Also, plastic bottles account for 40 percent of the total amount of plastic garbage.

3. Bottle is more expensive in bottled water

A large chunk of population rely on bottled water whenever they are out or even when they are at home. The next time you buy a plastic water bottle, do remember that 90 percent of the total cost is for the bottle and the remaining 10 percent is for purified water.

4. Enough Plastic to Wrap State of Texas

The amount of plastic produced in a year is large enough to wrap the state of Texas in a compact form.

5. Plastic poses danger to sea creatures

Almost everyone is known to the fact that plastic bottles and bags along with other garbage items are dumped into oceans every year. But, the fact you are unaware of is this dumping of garbage kills more than one million aquatic animals every year. So, even if you are an animal lover, start loving the environment as well.

6. Plastic never dies

Another appalling fact that would blow your mind away is every piece of plastic produced in the history of earth exists even today. Plastic is a monster that never dies so make an effort to prevent its propagation.

7. Plastic bags compete with plastic bottles

It is not just plastic bottles which are being consumed by individuals in every nook and corner of the world. Plastic bags are always competing to win the race and it is evident from the simple fact that states consumption of thirteen billion plastic bags in a single year. If it is compared to the world’s population, every adult uses approximately 300 bags in one year. So, don’t just listen SAY NO TO PLASTIC BAGS but also reciprocate by following it.

8. Recycle plastic, reduce carbon

Environmentalists constantly emphasize on recycling plastic products as it saves environment and it is very much true. By recycling one ton of plastic, 1.5 tons of carbon can be saved. Such a practice would definitely save our environment to great extents.

9. One jacket from 25 recycled bottles

By recycling plastic not only we can save the environment but also can be used for producing other products. For instance, a fleece jacket for an adult can be manufactured using twenty-five recycled plastic bottles. Also, by recycling plastic energy can be saved to a great extent. Studies have revealed that if the plastic is burnt in incinerator then it requires twice the energy required for recycling plastic.

10. Recycling plastic business is the latest buzz

With an increased awareness amongst individuals for environment conservation, the business for plastic recycling has increased two to three times. Today, the industry of plastic recycling is booming and large numbers of companies are entering into this business every year. In United States of America alone, the numbers of businesses dedicated dealing in recycling of plastic bags and bottles are more than 1600. This number is soon going to escalate even more.

After reading all these shocking and depressing facts about plastic, it is hopeful that your heart is moved a little. Replace plastic with other environment-friendly products in your routine and it would definitely help in improving the condition of environment.

10 Creative wall clocks made using recycled materials

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Recycled wall clocks

Wall clocks are among the most essential interior decoration items and hold importance because of their utility. Whether it be your home or office, you would need a wall clock to hang on your wall. But apart from functionality, wall clocks need to be stylish so that they compliment the decor of your home or office. What if you get the same utility and stylish look while helping the world go green? Yes, now that is possible with wall clocks made of recycled goods. 10 creative wall clocks made using recycled materials are listed here for you. So get ready to blend utility and style with these environment friendly wall clocks.

1. RE_VINYL retro wall clocks

RE_VINYL  retro wall clocks

RE_VINYL by designer Pavel Sidorenko is a new range of wall clocks made out of old vinyl records. The designer has used these old records to create some innovatively designed wall clocks that have a retro look to them. You can find wall clocks shaped as victorian teapots, monkey in a hat, etc. The designer makes sure that the original labels of the vinyl records are kept intact in each of the wall clock. This provides an unique touch to the wall clocks of RE_VINYL.

2. Circuit Board Wall clock

Circuit Board Wall Clock

If you want something that is truly unique, something that stands out in a crowd of wall clocks, then you can choose to get yourself a circuit board wall clock. The body of these wall clocks are made by recycling very old mother boards while the face of the clocks are made of CD's with laser inscriptions on them. These clocks are completely transparent and you can clearly check what parts and machinery have been used in them and if they are original or not. You may have to suffer a flaw of these clocks which is the heavy weight of the clocks.

3. Shotgun shells clock

Shotgun shells clock

Very creative in its concept and design, this wall clock would surely make you admire the beauty of this unique piece. Made with 19 shotgun shells, this beauty would be a prized possession for any person with an enthusiasm and love for gun collection. While 12 shells make for the outer circle depicting the 12 hours of the day, the rest of the shells are used to make the inner circle of the clock thus providing strength and balance to the clock. The shell at the core or center holds the black hands of the clock. These shotgun shells are put together by hand and therefore each of these clocks look different from the others even if the basic concept or design is the same.

4. Recycled aluminum hubcap clock

Recycled aluminum hubcap clock

Did you ever think that you can own a wall clock made of a hubcap? Now you can. These clocks made of old, aluminum hubcaps do catch the attention of people. The spark plugs give the vintage-meets-modern look an additional zing. There is a small remote speaker in the clock that rings Westminster to alert of passing of one full or half an hour.

5. Recycled Apple Powerbook Cover clock

Recycled Apple Powerbook Cover clock

If you are a geek who loves to add a geeky touch in every corner of the house, then this one is surely going to impress you a lot. Made out of recycled Apple Powerbook G4 cover, this wall clock looks stylish and sophisticated. The use of recycled Apple mouse to make the pendulum of the clocks adds to the beauty of these clocks. Since these clocks are made of recycled items, so you may not find them completely spotless. Most of the times there would be scratches in them but even that can not reduce the appeal of these clocks.

6. Old Turntables retro wall clocks

Old Turntables retro wall clocks

This concept transforms old, broken and useless record players into attractive wall clocks. While the body of these clocks are made of recycled turntables, the face of these clocks are made of old records. The old record players used to make these clocks are artistically designed themselves and hence add that artistic as well as vintage look to your home decor.

7. Recycled Magnetic Tape Reel Clock

Recycled Magnetic Tape Reel Clock

Another lovely wall clock that would surely be appreciated by geeks. These clocks are made from recycled computer hardware drive and Scotch magnetic tape reel. These clocks are 10 inches in diameter and look truly elegant with distinctive design and style. These clocks are capable of drawing eyeballs and attracting a few compliments too.

8. Recycled bike wheel clock

Recycled bike wheel clock

A clock master from Charlottesville is the innovator of this unique design. He has used old bike wheel of aluminum to make this wall clock. With a diameter of twenty-two and three-forth inches, these wall clocks are quite large in size. These wall clocks are very simple but highly fashionable, trendy and elegant.

9. Clockpops

Clockpops

Made from scraped plastic bottle caps and jar caps, these wall clocks can brighten up your living space in a stylish and green way. These wall clocks are available in a large variety of shapes, sizes and colors. The color combination of these clocks can even be custom made to go with your home or office interior.

10. Recycled Vending Machine Coffee Cups clock

Recycled Vending Machine Coffee Cups clock

This design accommodates a room thermometer in a wall clock. Coming from the staple of Ashortwalk, each of these handcrafted wall clocks is made from 25 vending machine coffee cups. These cups are sourced from "save-a-cup" scheme in UK. The cups are cleaned, melted and remolded into this chic, modern look. These clocks add a stylish look to any interior decor while helping you to opt for something that is ecofriendly and green.

10 Innovative ways to recycle egg cartons

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Ways to recycle egg cartons

The packaging that prevents your eggs from cracking open and breaking into a gooey mess can easily be recycled and reused around the house. Made of cardboard, egg cartons can be used to make a number of creative and useful things that come in handy around the house. It is really easy to work with egg cartons; just drill holes, cut out shapes, glue things and paint on them. Also, their shape with hollow cups adds to their utility value. Here are a few ideas to put egg cartons to use:

1. Use again

A functional shape with a row of hollow pouches slotted in a cardboard base makes it easy to reuse egg cartons. You won’t even have to work on them much, just daub some paint or glue colored paper on them. Turn them into an ice tray or a color palette for painting. Make taco starters as the tacos will fit right into the grooves in between the hollow compartments. Craft seed starters by boring a hole at the center and filling in soil.

2. Lights

To make lighting fixtures just cut out the cups from the carton. Make incisions or slits to design the hollow cups around the rim. You can bore holes through them and pop in wires to create either a string or cluster of redesigned cardboard cups. Now slot in light bulbs and enjoy the glow. Such lights look better in the relaxed and rustic back yards or gardens. Also, you can roll over the entire carton to make a tubular disc and then fit a bulb inside. Create a trail of tubes joined together with wires. You can also use it as a candle stand.

3. Items for your pets

Make bird feeders or plates in which you feed pets. You can also make a bed for your pets by fastening several egg cartons together. Bundle them one on top of another.

4. Paintings and wall artwork

Hang a bulletin board on the wall; you can easily pin anything on these cardboard cartons. Paint flowers, fruits, faces on the cardboard background. The cups that pop out add to the 3D effect of your artwork.

5. Furniture

You will need hordes of egg cartons for this. Just cut out different shapes like circular discs, squares, or rectangles and stack the cartons over each other. Create furniture like stools, settees, loveseats, and tables. Add cushions and pillows on top.

6. Household uses

Just tear up the cardboard and stuff it inside a package you want to ship or courier. It will protect the object from damage. Fill them inside shoes and bag stashed in your closet to retain their shapes. You can use them as a mold when you are making jelly, cookies, candy, cupcakes, etc at home.

7. Costumes

You can make eye masks, head bands, bunny ears, etc from them. Faces of clowns and animals can be carved out of the cardboard. Join many pieces together with pins or duct tape to make a dress or a super hero costume.

8. Organizers

The little pockets inside egg cartons can be used to store knick knacks that otherwise just lie around the house and get misplaced. You can make an easy desktop organizer from egg cartons and store paper clip, stapler pins, cartridges, pen caps, etc in them. You can also repaint and turn it into a desktop organizer in your kids room. Throw in the crayon tid bits, erasers, pencil sharpeners, etc in here that kids tend to look for every now and then.

9. Crafts

Cardboard is quite stiff paper and can be used for crafts. If you have artistic children then get them busy with egg cartons. Cut out the cardboard and work on it with glue, tapes, paint and paper. Cars, animals, bells, boxes, flowers, trees, etc can easily be made from egg cartons. Lego like structures of homes, bridges and towns can also be created using these.

10. Holders and containers

They can also be used to hold a number of everyday items. Coins and pennies lying around the house can be stored in these - make an attractive and colorful piggy bank for your kids. Hold your tiny jewels like brooches, ear studs, chains, bracelets, necklaces, and safety pins in here. Make a sewing kit by placing needles, threads, thimbles and pins in the hollow cups of egg cartons. Other things you can store in them are golf balls, elastic rubber bands, yarn, nails, bolts, Christmas or party décor, etc. You can also store food items like dates, lemons, seeds, and nuts in them.

10 smart ways to recycle food waste

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Recycling food waste

Food waste is recyclable and hence instead of throwing away the leftover coffee grounds, green leafy vegetable wastes, leftover food waste, you can use it in many ways. What happens when you throw it away? It goes to dump yards and they put it in a already overflowing pit. Instead, you can create your own dump pit and make use of these left over foods and create compost or a natural fertilizer for your garden. There are lot many ways one can use fruit peels, vegetable leaves, citrus fruit rinds, shells of fruits, dried up vegetables and more. You can get creative and invent your own ideas to reuse food waste. Here are 10 such ways you can use your food waste in the most green way and reuse it for good purposes:

1. Make compost

Leftover food waste and vegetable throw away can make great compost for your garden. All you need to do is make a pit for putting this compost in, in your garden and throw all food waste in it everyday. Make sure you don't add meat leftovers as that can call for animals in your garden. As food waste is biodegradable, it will rot and mix with the soil to make great compost. This compost is very good for growing vegetables and even other plants in your garden. Add small portions of this compost to your garden soil and mix well. See how your garden flourishes in no time.

2. Give to neighbors compost pit

If you have a small house and cannot make a compost pit yourself, you can hand the waste to your neighbors compost pit. Again no meat should be thrown in. Some farmers also have large compost pits, they can pick it up from you or you can hand it over to them once a week.

3. Organic waste recyclers

You can take your grass cuttings, dried leaves, food wastes to the organic waste recyclers in the town. These are places in the town which collect all the organic waste and recycle them. You can even have a recyclers bin installed in your house, where you can throw all the food waste and the authorities responsible for recycling will collect it once or twice a week.

4. Fruit peels pots

When you like gardening, you would have to sow the seeds to make a seedling. These seedlings need to be taken care off while growing. Use fruit peels like the shell of the watermelon or avocado peels with the pulp removed, etc to plant your seeds in. Once the seedling grows, the peels can be used as the compost when you plant it in the garden.

5. Make potpourri

Why waste money on buying potpourri from the market when you can make it at home? Use all the possible fruit peels and rinds which remain after you have consumed the fruit and dry them either in the sun or a food dryer. Then crush it and add the flavor of your choice. Your homemade potpourri is ready.

6. Keep slugs away

Garden slugs tend to eat up your favorite plants and their roots. Hence instead of throwing away groundnut shells or egg shells, you can place them around your plants stem on the soil. garden slugs cannot climb them due to the rough surface and hence won't affect your plants.

7. Polish brass and copper

Lemon and lime contain citric acid and the peel contains more of it. You can use the leftover peels to rub copper or brass items. They will bring a great shine and clean these things very well.

8. Easter Eggs dye

Easter eggs are always colored with artificial colors which can be harmful for your body. Instead boil the eggs with a few onion skins. The eggs will get a dark yellow or orange color. No need of those artificial food colors and your throw away onion skins got used as well.

9. Peanut Shells for grilling

Barbeque grilling needs a lot of coal and fuel to keep it burning for long. Instead use peanut shells. Soak them in water in advance and dry them a bit before use and put them over your coal in the grill. They burn for a long time and keep the fire going.

10. Bird houses from gourds

You can use left over large sized gourds. Dry them and treat them for smell. Make them hollow and use as bird houses in your garden.

10 Eco friendly wallets created from recycled materials

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Eco friendly wallets

You must have heard of recycling newspapers, magazines, cereal boxes and coke cans. Well, various designers across the world have recycled these and various other day-to-day items into interesting wallets. You would definitely adore them. So what are you waiting for? Take a quick look at 10 eco friendly wallets created from recycled materials:

1. Billboard wallet

Billboard wallet

Have you ever noticed how much our streets and buildings are covered by billboards? More to that, have you ever wondered how the old billboard posters are disposed? This will definitely surprise you that some of the designers have come up of various good ideas to recycle the old billboard posters, and one of them is billboard wallet. These colorful wallets provide you with space for credit cards and driving license. TE handy magnetic clasp holds everything together in the wallet. The wallet is priced at $ 22.

2. Can made wallet

Can made wallet

Post consumer cans are hardly used as a refilling container, thus adding to the landfill. As you can see in the picture you can get yourself a funny wallet designed using a can. It is really innovative. The wallet has a whimsical yet functional design. It is available at dimensions of 4×3.5, and the handcrafted wallets are priced $ 9.95 each.

3. Cassette Tape Wallets

Cassette Tape Wallets

The old cassettes are hardly used these days. Thanks to the development in technology, and the increasing use of DVD’s, cassettes are now adding to the landfill. However, a creative designer has found an innovative way to recycle these cassettes into a fancy wallet. These wallets are handmade, and each designer wallet is made from individual cassette tape. The interesting cassette tape wallets are priced $ 43.

4. Recycled magazine wallet

Recycled magazine wallet

If you have a huge collection of old magazines and catalogs then put on your thinking caps and create yourself a useful wallet. You can use lots of colors and design in various shapes and sizes. The paper quality would add to the appeal of the wallet. Creating a wallet for you would hardly take 30 minutes. You can use velcro to keep everything in place. I am sure kids would simple love them.

5. The Holstee wallet

The Holstee wallet

A lot is written about going green. This Holstee wallet would help you to do your bit. This recycled wallet is made in Delhi, India. It is a pretty neat wallet and is primarily made using plastic bags and recycled newspaper. The artists working on these wallets are paid a “fair wage,” as well as subsidized healthcare for the entire family. Each wallet is priced $ 25 for the wallet.

6. Recycled Bike Tube Wallet

Recycled Bike Tube Wallet

Everyday many inner tubes of the bicycle are thrown into the landfill. However there are people who do their bit to reduce environment, by recycling these old bicycle inner tube into innovative and designer La Piccola wallets. These handmade wallets are all fun and practical and do their best to hold your credit cards and driving license. A few folded banknotes safely secured with velcro.

7. Recycled Necktie Wallet

Recycled Necktie Wallet

As you can see in the picture the exterior of this one-of-a-kind wallet sports vintage shiny crown patterned black and white necktie material. Also, the interiors are designed by vintage gray wool suit material. The wallet features a big pocket to store you hard earned cash as well as two smaller pockets to hold your credit cards. The dimensions of the closed wallet are 4" x 3 1/2".

8. NLGX Recycled Milk Carton Wallet

NLGX  Recycled Milk Carton Wallet

The NLGX Recycled Milk Carton Wallet is designed from the tetraPack of the milk carton. The printed carton are collected from the factory, and used to designed stylish yet functional wallet. The designer wallets are waterproof and sturdy, and lots of space to hold your cash and cards. The wallets have outer zipper opening, while the cash and card pockets has nylon lining.

9. Juice box wallet

Juice box wallet

If you love to have colorful wallets then this is the best option for you. This vibrant glossy wallet is hand woven and made using recycled juice boxes and bordered with a nylon fabric and/or sturdy cotton. The wallet has plenty of room to hold six cards, and has a slot to your check book. The zipper pocket fits your cash, and receipts. The wallet is designed by renowned designer Marty Stevens-Heebner and is priced $ 45.

10. Tennis racket cover wallets

Tennis racket cover wallets

This creative wallet is made up of old tennis racquets cover. The wallet is very roomy and looks like business and credit card holders. These wallets are handmade, and are minimally-sized. It is lined with heavy-duty nylon thread, and the color is dark green vinyl with black stitching and white lettering. The inner pockets are brown.

10 Simple uses for old cardboard tubes

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Reuse cardboard tubes

To save another tree from being felled, try to reuse and recycle all paper and cardboard items. Cardboard tubes are used in and around the house every day. Instead of throwing them out in trash, reuse them in your house. Their long, hollow, and tubular shape makes them really useful. One can come up with so many ideas to use them. It is easy to work with cardboard tubes as you can glue, pin or tape them effortlessly. Given below are a few ways to recycle and reuse old cardboard tubes.

1. Wrap and store stuff

Tubes of cardboard are brought as packaging around which paper tissues or gift wrappers are enfolded. So you can use them as wrapping material again. Wires, tapes, bandages, ropes, cords, woolen yarns, etc can be wrapped around these tubes. Fasten your belts around a tube and suspend the tube inside your cupboard. Roll your kitchen napkins around them and place the tube on the kitchen countertop. Next times you won’t have to rummage through your drawers and look for these among the clutter.

2. Art and craft

As they are sturdy and strong, you can build several arts and crafts from them. A tiny building like a doll house or castle can be constructed. Super hero or fairy costumes can be made. You can glue together and make furniture like tables, chairs, stools and loveseats from cardboard tubes.

3. Storage containers

Give a base to these hollow tubes and make a lid for them. You can cut them with scissors to any size desired. Make the base and lid out of old newspapers, cardboard or any other discarded item. You can then use them to store pens, pencils, erasers, stapler pins, rubber bands, etc. Secure your fragile eyeglasses inside them. Use them to store hardware like screwdrivers, pliers, nails, and bolts. You can also make a stand for your kitchenware like knives, spoons, and stirrers. Turn it into a box in which you store your stitching or painting equipment. Stash away the string of light bulbs you only use on holidays inside the hollow of the tubes.

4. Décor

Cut out cardboard tubes, paint them or cover them with colored paper to make décor. You can string many tubes together and suspend them. Make wreaths and garlands out of them. All these can be used as decoration for your party or during Christmas.

5. Rack for personal utility items

You can also clasp your hair clips or paper clips on their edges and store them. Brooches can be hooked onto the tubes. Wrap your scrunchies and elastic rubber bands that you tie around ponytails on them.

6. Seed starters

Just reduce the tube to the size desired. Then fix a base at the bottom. Bore a hole through the base for drainage. Now fill it up with seeds and soil, this is an excellent seed starter made at home.

7. Other storage ideas

We tend to lose plastic and carry bags all the time. You can stuff them inside these hollow tubes and thus locate them easily the next time you need them. Other things you can store in the tubes are kitchen rags or gloves. Just glue one onto your bathroom wall and pack your towels inside the hollow. Many important paper documents and old posters tend to get creased or soiled lying around the house. You can roll them and store them in the hollow of the cardboard tube. This way they won’t tear and will stay free of crinkles.

8. Make a stuffing

You have so many shoes and bags lying in your closet. You don’t use them all the time and they deshape over the years. Just tear up the cardboard tube and stuff them inside these shoes and bags to retain their shape.

9. Jewelry stand

Just nail it on a wall and use it to stockpile your jewelry. You can fasten your anklets and bracelets around the tube. Suspend necklaces or headbands on it. Make tiny holes on the circular body of the cardboard. You can hang your earrings from these holes. Just insert the hooks of your earrings through the holes.

10. Serve in style

Cut out the tube to the size you want and embellish it with decorative paper, glitter, beads, etc. You can make a nice tub from the old cardboard tubes in which you dish out goodies. Store sweets and candies in them, especially the ones wrapped individually. You can also store handmade chocolates inside and place the tub on your coffee table.

Seven materials you should recycle for a greener world

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Recycle for a greener world

The problems associated with non biodegradable trash is evident and it is wise to start finding solution to it. Though, recycling of these products has started, but the momentum has to catch up at mass level. People across the world have to realize the reason behind recycling and need to stop further production of things which triggers green house emission which are harmful to environment as well as human health. Recycling is so far the best option available to environmentally conscious society. But recycling does not end with collection of trash plastics, glasses, carpets and other non biodegradable material and remanufacture them into other utility items. But recycling also calls for reusing these discarded things for other useful purposes like old plastic baskets can be used as cloth bin, coffee mugs as planters etc.

Most of these non biodegradable materials can take up to million years to breakdown. A soda bottle or a piece of glass will take no less than million years to dissolve in the nature whereas aluminum can will take over 200 years to decompose. Landfills are just not the answer to these swarming pollutants. Here’s a look at seven such daily use items that can be recycled by self or at recycling plant:

1. Plastic recycling

Plastic recycling

With over 10,000 variety of plastics manufactured worldwide, the plastic scrap is accumulating everywhere. Plastics are made from petroleum or natural gas in combination with oxygen or chlorine creating huge emission of toxic green house gases in the process. Thus, in order to reduce this hazardous production, it is important to recycle the discarded ones. It uses almost 20-40 percent less energy in recycling process, while creating products that can be used, and reducing the burden on landfills.

It is required to categorize the plastic products before recycling them. Group 1 consists of plastic products like, soda and mouth wash bottles, plastic wraps etc. made from polyethylene terephthalate. The second category like milk and curd containers, shampoo and cosmetic sachets, trash bags, detergent bags etc. are made from high-density polyethylene plastic. All plastic products need to be properly washed before recycling.

The plastics can be transformed into durable lumber after recycling. It can also be used to make toys, benches, drainage pipes and even car parts.

2. Glass Recycling

Glass Recycling

It cannot be denied that glass is one of the major contributors to household as well as industrial trash. This includes food and beverage containers, lamps, bulbs, mirrors, window panes, bottles and various other products. Though, glass has a unique quality of being recycled again and again without losing on quality, unfortunately not even 15% of glass waste is recycled.

Soda ash; lime and sand are heated to produce glass products causing huge fossil fuel emission. For recycling glass nearly 40% lesser energy is required than manufacturing new one. Recycling glass causes 20% less air pollution and about 50% lesser water pollution. All the glass products with “G” logo are recyclable.

3. Paper recycling

Paper recycling

All of us know that as much paper you manufacture, more trees will be felled too produce more paper. In order to save our greenery, it is required to recycle paper. Newspaper, cardboards, magazines, computer printouts, used school and college notebooks are clogging our house space and every day new one are added. Recycling of paper too requires 40% less energy than producing new ones. If we could just recycle one newspaper every day, it will be possible to save 41000 trees.

Recycling of paper is easy and will produce fresh newspapers, tissue papers, paper napkins, paper bags, stamps, notebooks, business cards and many others. Each ton of recycled paper will save 17 trees. Most of the paper can be recycled up to eight times. Paper recycling saves energy as well as saves up to 17% land fill space.

4. Computer, Mobiles and electronics recycling

Computer, Mobiles and electronics recycling

Modern day electronic gadgets have certainly made life easier but at the cost of environment. Rapidly out dating technology has resulted in gathering of hordes of scrap electronic waste. Not many people are aware that this trash contains hazardous substances like lead, nickel, mercury, cadmium etc. Though it is very much possible to recycle and reuse this waste to re-produce fresh material but this is not happening.

Interesting most of the parts of electronic goods like, computer monitors, glass panel, keyboard and plastic materials, cables, circuit boards, batteries and others are recyclable. One just has to take them to recycling plant where metal, plastic and glass parts will be separately recycled. Another good option is to donate working computers to those in need.

5. Tires recycling

Tires recycling

With ever increasing vehicular population, discarded tire is another such waste available in plenty. Though in America nearly 80 percent tires are being recycled, it is not so elsewhere in the world. Tires have multiple uses after recycling. It can be used as base for shoes and sandals, flooring, roof pads, carpet pads and others. It can also be reused for creating parks and seating facility.

6. Carpet and rugs

Carpet and rugs

Carpet manufacturing uses huge amount of energy in form of petroleum. Hence you can save up to 40 percent fuel consumption by recycling it. Carpets are widely used in American and European households and contribute to huge amount of refuse. Carpets can be recycled to make foot mats and new carpets as well.

7. Metal recycling

Metal recycling

The Metals like steel and aluminium, used in abundance, has many option after recycling. It can be used for car part manufacture or as building material and even producing fresh product of same quality. Since the metals, that are natural resources, are fast depleting from earth, it is better to recycle and use than dump them into landfills and mine for fresh ore. Most of the metal products can be recycled and used again and again without losing on quality. Those who collect metal scrap and deposit at recycling facility , too, get paid for the metal worth and also for the effort


Seven weirdest recycling projects

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weirdest recycling projects

Recycled art has taken a new meaning with researchers opting for weird ideas by the day. Bodily discharges are the new area of attention that has caught their fancy and going by the amount of excreta and human as well as animal secretions that are at their disposal, they seem to have an endless reserve for continuing their research for as much time as they can. Starting from cosmetic products to recycled paper, there are quite a few weird stuff out there for us to try and be amused. Here are seven weirdest recycled projects for you to take a look at. They are well processed and disinfected before turning them into beautiful products and hence you need not worry about their safety, while using them as recycled materials.

1. Humanure

We are used to cow dung and sewage being used as manure for natural crop enhancement. How about recycling human excreta? Slated as the next big recycling project to hit the world, humanure is collected by using deep three meter pits as toilets which are closed once they are full and newer pits are dug for collection. When the pathogens in the sealed pits are destroyed, they are taken out to be used as manure for fertile agricultural land. The system is already in place in some rural areas in Zimbabwe.

2. Pee Pills

Pee pills are pills that are created from human urine. The urine of human beings is supposed to contain an enzyme known as urokinase, which can help in dissolving blood clots in the body. Before you jump to conclusions about making heart attack patients drink urine, let’s set the matter straight. Urokinase has to be filtered from the urine before the pills can be shape out. The special public toilets from UrPort-A-John have filters that can collect urokinase which can be used for producing pee pills.

3. Sludge Bricks

Sewage sludge can now be used for creating lightweight concrete and bricks. Ecobrique, created by a French company is made after partially drying and mixing the sludge with clay. The mixture is then send through kilns where they are fired to make them hard and durable.

4. Aqua Powered Batteries

These amazing batteries developed by a Japanese company do not require a power socket to be charged. They can be charged by any fluid of your choice. This can range from urine, saliva, blood, water, juices and anything that can offer it some moistness to charge the batteries. They are made by combining carbon and magnesium and are aptly named NoPoPo (No Pollution Power) batteries. When they require to be charged, they do not differentiate between the fluids that are used for the purpose.

5. L-cysteine

For all those of you who love to gorge on pizzas of varying flavours, here’s some news that can keep you off your favourite junk food for ever. L-cysteine, a dough conditioner which is very commonly used in bakeries and pizza corners for conditioning the dough for their cakes and pizzas are, hold your breath, made from dead human hair that is collected form hair cutting and beauty salons! Many international food chains have discontinued the use even though local companies could still be going strong with the practice.

6. Human Waste Doors

Another one of those human waste projects that have got the green signal, this one comes from India where toileting in rural and backward areas have been a deep problem. Sulabh International, an Indian sanitation company has come up with this novel idea of using processed human waste collected form Sulabh public toilets for making durable and sold doors. The human waste is matured for three years and plastic resin added to it to make it solid before doors are created from it.

7. Semen Beauty Products

This could come as a surprise for all the ladies out there. We all know how antioxidants help in preventing free radical damage to our body and arrest the ageing process. But its surely surprises us when we come to know that semen is rich in antioxidants and hence good for our body. Spermine which is found in semen is known to be an antioxidant and that has anti ageing qualities. A Norwegian company has a range of spermine creams and serums for women.

Another company names Cmen Beauty markets pure and washed semen for application on the face. This is known to give you glowing and beautiful looking skin that is also protected from the effects of ageing with regular use.

7 Creative ways to reuse fabric scraps

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Reuse fabric scrap

Fabric scrap is cutting of old clothes which are generally not used and are thrown because for us they are like any other waste. But these fabric scraps can be very useful to us. Fabric is durable, colorful and can be used to decorate your home. It can also be used as your kids craft projects, to tie plants in your garden, and as a rope.

You can simply fill a glass jar with colorful fabric scraps and put it on the corner of your shelf or on your study table to make it more attractive. There are several other ways in which you can reuse these fabric scraps. Various uses of fabric scraps are mentioned below:

Gloves and scarf

If you want to reuse your woolen clothes, the best way is to make gloves and scarfs out of them. Take any woolen sweater and cut it in the shape of gloves. Stitch to the ends. Wear these gloves to keep your hands warm in winter. You can also make scarf out of them. Just cut them in the shape of long scarf and stitch the ends. You can use this scarf with your jacket and sweaters. It looks attractive and trendy. Use your old socks as a jar cover and decorate it. Keep pickles in these jars and put on the dining table. It make your pickle jar and dining table more attractive.

Tote from Tank top

Tank tops are nowadays out of fashion. If you are thinking to throw them then just wait a while and think what you can do with it. You can turn it into a carrying bag. You can use it to keep magazines, newspaper, polybags, CDs, or any other stuff. Just stitch the lower ends. Hang the top of your tank top on the wall using a nail. Use it to put whatever you want. You can decorate it with linings of different fabrics to make it more attractive. You can also carry it to market for shopping. Next time when you go to buy vegetables, take this attractive handbag with you.

Rug

Rug made of fabric scrap

Collect some old T-shirts, jeans, pants, shirts, woolen clothes etc. Cut them in square or rectangular strips using scissor. Stitch all the rectangular strips with one another to form a rug. Rug made from fabric scraps looks creative and attractive. Just lay this colorful rug on ground near your entrance door. It will definitely look attractive. You can also lay it on near your bathroom.

Quilt

Quilt made of fabric scrap

Old uniforms looks total waste after their use. But something creative can be done with it. These old school uniforms can be used to make a quilt. You can also use woolen clothes to make quilt warmer. Cut the uniform and other woolen clothes into square pieces. Stitch all pieces so that a big rectangle can be formed of the size you want. Stitch the three corner ends of this rectangular quilt. From the fourth end start filling cotton, and woolen clothes scraps. After filling stitch the fourth end. Stitch fabric scrap lining on the all corners to give a fine design. Use this quilt and keep your body warmer in this winter.

Pillow and cushions

Pillow made of fabric scrap

Old clothes can also be used to make pillows. Cut your old T-shirt or any other scrap fabric into a shape of pillow. It can be rectangular, square, circular, and triangular or of any other shape you want. Stitch the ends and leave a little space to fill cotton or fabric scrap in it. After filling stitch the left end. Use this pillow to have a sound sleep. Make small cushions in the same way as you make pillow. Use these cushions on your sofa set or on your bed.

Handbags

Handbags made of fabric scrap

Old denim jeans can be used to make mini skirt or hand bags. Cut the lower ends of your jeans of the height you want for your hand bag. Stitch the middle ends. Decorate it with fabric flowers, ribbons, glitters and other fabric linings. Stitch a zip on the top to the center of it. Carry this stylish and attractive handbag to market.

Apron

Apron made of fabric scrap

If you are planning to dispose your old long night wear then making apron out of it will be the best idea. Just cut them in the shape of apron and use them in your kitchen. Make its pockets from old handkerchiefs. Decorate it with other fabric linings.

Seven things that should be recycled at construction sites

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things should be recycled at construction sites

The process of deconstruction, i.e., demolishing a house while recycling and salvaging building materials despite being a time consuming and expensive affair compared to outright demolition is much healthier for the environment. Workers during the process of deconstructing a building save and make use of the materials instead of accumulating the debris in a local landfill. In the past everything from metal, wood, concrete, asphalt and block ended in a landfill. But the key for a successful destruction project is undoubtedly to reuse whatever is possible and recycling the rest. Every portion of demolition debris and construction cannot or should not be recycled but a major section of materials which goes into the making of a house can easily be reused. Here are 7 things which need to be recycled at the construction sites namely wood and lumber, steel, asphalt, glass and windows, appliances, copper and landscaping waste.

1) Wood and Lumber

Wood and Lumber

Each year over 1 million homes are built by contractors in The United States which costs approximately $100 billion. A major percentage of money is often spent on wood which is used for multiple purposes like framing, doors, sheathing, windows and floors. This wood used is mostly virgin timber. Government of US has estimated that approximately 1 billion board-feet of lumber can be saved each year. Majority of the wood used here is of high quality which comprises of large timber frames. Builders can reuse and recycle all the wood which will not only help to generate reusable lumber but also save trees. Recycling will also help to cut down the amount of wood which takes up the landfill space. Wood can be reused by workers and builders in several ways. Reused wood can be used for constructing new fences and barns as well as for building new floors, doors, panelling and windows.

2) Steel

Steel

Steel is often used by developers for building superstructures of bridges, skyscrapers, high-rise apartment buildings, among other structures. Steel can be recycled and recycled steel maintain their durability and strength. Each steel frame contains approximately 28% of recycled steel. Trusses, pilings and steel girders from construction sites can all be reused.

3) Asphalt

Asphalt

Every year builders use asphalt for building highways, residential neighbourhood roads, parking lots and airport runways. Construction crews each year remove asphalt of about 90 million tons from American roads as has been estimated by the Federal Highway Administration. Out of the total 90 million tons more than 90% of asphalt is recycled and then reused for reconstruction projects as well as for repaving.

4) Glass and Windows

Glass and Windows

Recycling old windows as well as other glass product is a good thing. But builders hardly do it as firstly it is cheap and secondly glass manufacturers have very specific requirements and recycled glass often does not fit into the provision of these products. Window glass comprises of several parts namely aluminium, insulating spacers, lamination layers and vinyl which have to be removed prior to the recycling of the window. Removing these parts is both expensive and very time consuming.

5) Appliances

Appliances

If one’s construction project deals with major kitchen renovation or addition, and homeowners decide to buy new appliances then a couple of old things can be recycled and reused. Appliances which are still working can be donated to organizations like Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity and Salvation Army. These appliances can also be recycled at a nearby recycling center. Obsolete appliances as well as appliances which no longer work can be sent to a recycling factory.

6) Copper

Copper

Copper plays a significant role and is a sought-after metal. Almost every home contains approximately 400 pounds copper wiring and piping. Copper recycling market is so productive that often thieves break into the construction sites for stealing copper wire and piping. Copper too like steel retains its durability and strength after being recycled. However, there are several local codes that need new building materials. Copper wire and pipe cannot be recycled and used in electric installations and plumbing as a result of which it is more often stored and sold to scrap-metal dealers and junkyards for being utilized elsewhere.

7) Landscaping waste

Landscaping waste

Recycling landscape waste must become a significant part of one’s building plan while removing vegetation or trees and cutting brush from the backyard for making a room in their new house. Contractors these days pretty much need to recycle or reuse the waste following the ban on landscape waste from the landfills as laid down by a couple of communities and states. Contractors can utilize these landscape wastes as landscape accent as well as to cut down weed growth. Most landscape waste can be used by homeowners for replanting vegetation like hostas, rosebushes and hydrangeas.

Apart from the above mentioned things there are few other things too that can be recycled and reused at construction sites like drywall, roofing shingles, concrete and masonry among others.



Seven most unique recycled creations

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unique recycled creations

Eco consciousness is slowly seeping into our skin and making us aware as to how we can protect our environment and minimise waste, at the same time create wonderful and functional everyday items that we can use and admire endlessly. Here are seven unique recycled creations.

1. Necktie Shoelaces in Silk

All those outdated neckties are brimming out of your wardrobe? You don’t seem to know what to do with them. Neither do you want to gift them to someone when you think about how much you have spent on them. Here are some creative ideas to make shoelaces out of them. Find a tailor or a good seamstress who can cut them up and shape them to form shoe laces. Wear them with your trendiest boots or go exercising with your stylish silk shoelaced boots and see how eyes can literally pop out of their sockets! If you want some of these shoelaces readymade, they are all yours for $ 8 from Etsy.

2. Hanging Bottle Lights from Re-Lites

These beautiful and color blocked bottles are created from discarded wine and alcohol bottles. They come with a mystical illumination, lighted by a 40 watt tubular incandescent bulb. The color blocking varies in number and color and the frosted look looks absolutely stunning in sophisticated environments. Comes in varying shapes and styles that suit every subtle environment. Price range - $ 120-550. With a bit of imagination and creative spark, you can make a subtle version of this bottle light at home and create other interesting variations according to your imagination.

3. Milk Sack Tote from Rebagz

These bags can be attention seeking and hence if you are the modest kind, do make it a point to keep away from them. They are ideal bags for carrying to the neighbourhood market and very sturdy as well. Created by Rebagz, you can choose a range of recycled tote bags from their beautiful collection. Just make sure that you are prepared for all the praises and exclamations that come by.

4. Recycling Container from Eco Pop

Recycling containers are definitely things which we need to store things that can be used for recycling. Here is a wonderful container which is made from 67 percent recycled materials. Ideal for people who live and breathe eco friendliness and promote recycling of waste. The container comes in a drum shape and has a green lid to announce eco friendliness.

5. Bike Furniture Table

Bikers would love this concept of creating furniture from parts of a bicycle. The table with chrome and steel bicycle rime as the base and a glass top bicycle wheel as the tabletop looks very sophisticated and minimalistic. Created by Andy Gregg, the rim base almost looks like an endless Celtic knot, cleverly interlocked to create a beautiful twist and curl to the design. They make great tea tables or side tables and would suit a modernistic and minimalistic interior. A variety of styles are created from tyres, steel rims and other parts of a bicycle to enhance the appeal and create interesting twists.

6. Gigantic Moth Sculptures

This young artist Michelle Stitzlein uses all sorts of recycled objects to carve beautiful pieces of art out of nowhere! The gigantic moth sculpture is a tribute to her talent. The artist’s imagination seeps through her elegant use of rusted tin cans, old piano keys, broken china, license plates, bottle caps, electrical wire and what! All her moths and butterflies take wings and soar through heights of imagination. Each piece is a unique and exceptional surprise that bowls you over its intricacy and attention to detail. With the right touch of color and rusticity, they are a runaway hit!

7. Dog Sweaters from Recycled Textiles

Here’s a beautiful way to keep your dog warm and cosy with a sweater shaped out from your own wardrobe collection that could be outdated. The dog sweaters created by Deborah Lindquist look very vibrant and flowery and is fit even for a kid’s wardrobe. With beautiful floral patches on red felt fabric, they look perfect on every little dog you own. They come for $ 99 which is way too expensive for a sweater. Dog sweaters are easy to make and you can create your own pretty version at home without buying them from a recycled shop. Look for old and colorful sweaters that you have stopped using and shape them out in your own style.

10 Recycled products made from old dolls

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Recycled doll products

Recycling is what has given a new definition to this green world and this ultimate green change is highly appreciated in terms of what it delivers and how it goes for delivering it. The toys are one of the most widely recycled items and among the toys the dolls are what people prefer the most these days. The kids out there love playing with their dolls and are a rage among the girls. They just love freaking around with their Barbie dolls. It is estimated that millions of such dolls are discarded every year on a large scale. Thus, the recycling of these dolls is pretty necessary in order to save our Mother Nature. Many people have made stunning products out of these dolls and some of them are so gorgeous and exotic that you can hardly ignore them for what they deliver. Here we are with a cool list of 10 most recycled products made out of old dolls. Have a look!

1. Scary circus characters

There is no level of creativity and this exotic character proves it perfectly. The old used dolls are usually considered to be waste stuff and most of the time they are thrown into garbage. But, now you can make cool characters like this particular stuff by making the best use of your old doll. This scary circus character looks pretty cool and is adorable.

2. Creepy tourist attractions

The dolls can be easily recycled into various attractive stuffs like the tourist garments and accessories. The material used in making dolls can be effectively used to make adorable accessories like hand bands and other cool stuffs. In Mexico, this doll recycling process is followed on a large scale and there is an art gallery which shows only the doll recycled products.

3. Barbie doll parts made into jewelry

The Barbies are a rage all over and are also found plenty in the garbage item list. These can be easily recycled and can be transformed into cool items. One such item is the jewelry where the parts of Barbie can be easily used along with the cool and exotic jewelries. This not only makes the overall jewelry cool but also adds to the beauty of the person wearing it and ultimately to the beauty of nature.

4. Decaying death toys

The toys can now be recycled into various design and styled toys. These toys made out of recycled toys are really adorable and are pretty stylish too. These toys are not only gorgeous but also leave a message of using the recycling stuffs effectively. This decaying toy is a perfect example of creativity with a touch of recycling world. This toy looks completely deadly and is a must buy for all the geeks out there.

5. Humanimal Barbie dolls

The Humanimal Barbie dolls collection is pretty gorgeous and are worth of going for their exotic designs and cool looks. These Barbie dolls are actually a hybrid mixture of human looks with a touch of animal properties. The overall hybrid design will drive you crazy over its design.

6. Insect dolls

The awesome is the word for this recycled design. This insect doll looks really horrible and it sometimes resembles the Scorpion king of the Mummy period. The idea and the concept is stunning and is highly appreciated for its design.

7. More Barbie hand-made pop culture

The Barbie fever is really hard to go and the products made out of recycling them are also really hard to ignore in terms of style and cool design they offer. This Barbie pop culture is just awesome by its design and looks and is worth of a strong deal. The best part is that it is completely hand-made which completely adds to the beauty of the product.

8. 3-Faced dolls

The new designs are always appreciated when it comes to the doll industry and this particular recycled structure is highly appreciated for its ultimate and cool design. This is actually a 3-Faced doll which comes along with a single exotic body. The 3-Faces are arranged on a particular angle which makes it pretty cool and adorable.

9. Recycled toy lighting

The toys can be effectively used to make home-decor stuff and there is nothing better than this lightning art which is completely made out of recycled small scaled toys. This piece of art is really adorable and the design given to it is just awesome. The various small-scaled toys are arranged in an order that it forms a cool lightning art.

10. Terrifying toys

Now this is something that can be your next nightmare for sure. This terrifying doll is so freaking deadly that by its look alone you might go crazy. This deadly design is so terrifying that you might someday end-up seeing it in your dreams. This scary doll is worth of a deal for all the people out there who love collecting such different and unique artworks.

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