One Persons Trash. . .

. . . is another persons treasure. So here are some things I have saved from the “Trash” and found a new life/use for.

I have a milk jug in my pantry filled up with red lentils I bought in bulk. (much easier to use than a bag-I can just pour them into a measuring cup) I also have mung beans in a cleaned glass pickle jar, and breadcrumbs and salt in old washed out parmesean cheese containers (the plastic kind)

I use one of those nice plastic Folgers cans with the hand grip to scatter rock salt (I cut a half moon out of the lid).

I have a stack of yogurt lids that I use for coffee spoon rests in the morning near the coffee pot, and 2 larger lids I’ve kept as additional spoon rests when needed.

I use a pretty round tin that had sugar cookies in it as my cookie jar on the counter.

I cut cereal bag liners (the thick wax paper) into circles that fit my cookie jar tin to separate layers of cookies.

I use a yogurt cup in my sugar jar, whole wheat flour jar and rice bag as a scoop. (that way I can just leave it there)

I keep a few bread bags and shredded cheese bags (w/zipper) to use for breading things (just throw the breading and meat etc in and shake, then throw out when done) also save them to use for nasty stuff going in the garbage so it doesn’t smell as much. I try to be careful and just keep 2 or 3 of each so they don’t take over my kitchen

I have coffee can on the counter for compost scraps.

I have a clean, empty ketchup bottle that I use to squirt pancake batter onto the griddle when I make mini pancakes for the kids.

I use a cottage cheese or yogurt container (large size) in the freezer to keep my leftover bits and pieces for “stone soup”

I have started cutting squares for a jean quilt from old jeans. I am saving back pockets to make purses, and keeping the zippers and the “name brand tags” for future projects. I made a cardboard template for the square made from an old box, and have all the squares in a shoe box (will probably take a couple of boxes before I have enough to make “buddy”’s quilt)

I also made a circle template from cardboard and am making circles for “pompoms” for a future quilt. Right now am just cutting them as I wind up with scrap fabric and putting in my knitting bag-I’ll sew them up over time as I’m watching TV etc.

I always keep scrap paper w/ one good side for printing on (also have dh get extra from the office) and smaller paper is cut into squares for phone messages etc.

I have been saving vinegar jugs and milk jugs for winter sowing containers.
Of course I keep plastic grocery bags for trashcan liners, transporting stuff in the car, and using at Aldi’s/Save-a-Lot etc. I some-what embarrass my husband by washing and reusing ziplock bags.

We recycle-so I have sep. bins for cans, glass, plastic and paper. So if I’m not using it at least it gets recycled. I can always grab a container out of their to pour grease in etc if something needs to get thrown out.

Anyone have anything interesting they reuse?