Category Archives: Recycling

O.R.

Paper towel cardboard rolls are a convenient and tidy way of storing plastic bags in your drawer. I just stuff the plastic bags in, and pull them out when needed.

Miriam, Auckland.

Freecycle is a great site where you can send out an email to all members offering an item you no longer want/need for free. They pick it up so no cost to you. And you can also ask for items, or if you get an email and are first to reply you can pick up […]

Egg cartons

Egg cartons make excellent pots for seedlings. Fill with compost and plant seedlings in each compartment. Remove the top and use the bottom as an office organiser. Place paperclips in one compartment, rubber bands, in another and so on. Use as an artists paint pallet. Open up the carton, place a blob of paint in […]

O.R.

Use cotton reels as broom holders. Attach two cotton reels just far enough apart for a broom to fit between.

G.B.

If planting large seeds like beans, use the iners of toilet rolls, part fill with seed mix, put in the seed and top up. You can get about 12 of these to stand up in an ice cream container. And in due course plant out the whole tube. No transplant shock. The cardboard will rot […]

D.H., Howick.

Hide keys, rings, jewellery etc in an empty baked bean tin and place it up high on a shelf when you go away. Should anyone break in when you’re away, valuables will appear to be part of the larder ! Harder to find than easy places like the dressing table in the bedroom!

K.C.

Use off-cuts from roof guttering (plastic) for a cool sloping track four your kids cars to go down. My son loves them, and they are free!

Canny Lass, Upper Hutt.

To make strong “rubber” bands of varying sizes, cut used rubber gloves into strips. The cuffs make big bands and fingers make smaller ones, good for keeping pairs of knitting needles etc together.