Second Time Around

Some would say that just because you bought it at a second hand store, it doesn’t make it cool. Well this time it does…buy recycled. By first purchasing that slightly worn pair of boots or those vintage jeans from your local resale store, you will take waste out of the system as well as reducing the amount of virgin materials being used. On average, it takes 10,850 liters of water to produce one pair of jeans for that popular “stone-wash” look. That is just one pair.

Instead, try and make it a rule that you will not purchase a new item until you at first look in a second hand store. Revive that boot-cut look, those bell-bottom flairs or that plaid button up. Earrings, neck-ties, shoes, books, the amount of resalable items available are limitless. Most popular tends right now are just a reinvention of past ideas, just marketed differently. Consider that your purchase will not only benefit the environment, but your local economy as well. By supporting charities like the GoodWill and the Salvation Army you are easily committing to going green.

Contribute further by donating used house-hold goods to these organizations and charities. More often than most, these same charities offer a tax break for your donations. Take a second look at that kitschy set of dishes or that dining room table sitting there collecting dust. Donate it. Organizations like www.freecycle.com and www.recyclersexchange.com exist to help you find uses for objects that you don’t want or have a need for anymore. Quite often, the items we would consider trash still have a usable life left. Not only does this extend the life of useful items, but again it reduces the resources needed to produce these goods. Make sure nothing that has the chance at being reused goes into the trash until you've given the community a fair shot at it. Also, don’t forget to use the “free stuff” section on Craiglist, or post it to resale for a quick buck.

These are just a few things you can do right now to inspire “going green” in your house. Connect with your neighbors to organize a block rummage sale. The ideas are limitless.