Small Home Projects

If you're undertaking a small renovation project at home, there are a few things you should consider in your plans to ensure that you're saving money and reducing your waste.

Big Impacts with Small Home Projects (Winter 2006)

Recycle Cell Phones

The days of dropping your dead, old cell phone in a drawer are over. Now there are good and convenient places that will collect your phone for recycling and keep those hazardous heavy metals out of the landfill.

Recycling Mobile Phones (Fall 2005)

Donations at Work & Play

Do you have an old washing machine or other appliance eating up space in your garage? Or an old bicycle that no one rides anymore? Consider donating those types of materials and others to a local non-profit. Learn how you can help these organizations invest in our communities.

Your Donations at Work & Play (Spring 2005)

Cleaning Out Your Garage

Many items you might clear out of your garage, such as used oil or pesticides, are considered household hazardous waste (HHW) and require special disposal. Fortunately you have several convenient options for safe disposal that will ensure the harmful ingredients in those products don't pollute our soil and water.

Keep Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Out of Your Trash (Spring 2005)

Reuse Chic

Mary Kate and Ashley might be popularizing "dumpster-chic", to everyone's chagrin, but the fact is that reused clothing can be very fashionable. So can reusing household furnishings. See how you can save some money while still keeping your fashion edge.

Reuse Chic: Smart Fashion & Furnishings (Spring 2005)

Safer Home Cleaners

Madison Avenue might bombard us with advertisements for specialty cleaners with sweet scents, but the fact is that you can make your own cleaners from simple recipes, saving strain on your wallet, saving stress on our waterways and other habitats sensitive to the chemicals in commercial cleaners, and saving our lungs from sometimes caustic fumes. Try some of these alternative cleaners for yourself!

Cooking Up Safer Home Cleaners (Spring 2005)

Compost Giveaway

You've cleared all the weeds from your garden and put what you can in your green bin, now it's time to feed your new, spring garden with rich, free compost. Rethinkwaste.org/SBWMA is co-sponsoring compost giveaways in April and May. Come get your free compost!

Compost Giveaway Locations and Times

Selling Used Books

Everyone loves a good book. And just about everyone knows how easy it is to share used books with others. Between our local libraries and book swaps, it's easy to avoid buying books new or paying full price. See how you can absorb some good literature without wringing your wallet dry.

Buy & Sell Used Books (Winter 2005)

Rent Tools

You're the best recycler on your block, but how about this? Next time you need a power tool, instead of buying, rent! Did you know your local hardware or home store may rent everything from drills to paint sprayers?

The 3Rs of Waste Reduction (Winter 2005)

Mattresses

The days of trying to talk Goodwill into taking a slightly stained old mattress are over. If you can't sell or donate your mattress, or if it's truly past its prime, you have another option.

Mattresses Accepted for Recycling at the Transfer Station (Fall 2004)

Selling Used Stuff

Sometimes it's hard to get rid of stuff that still has value. And we're not just talking nostalgia here. Sometimes a carefully prepared garage sale goes nowhere, leaving you tired or selling whole boxes for pennies. But there is another way. Learn how you can get more bucks for your stuff.

How to Sell More Used Stuff (Fall 2004)

More Tips at RecycleWorks

For more summer project ideas, visit www.RecycleWorks.org.