Did Pirates Recycle?

[awakening2lite]

Did Pirates Recycle?

Have you heard this question asked on TV, recently? I have. Each time I hear the question, I have to answer: Yes, they did! Pirates, from days gone by were big on recycling. They made use of almost anything they found aboard the ships they seized, and what they did not use they often brought back to shore and sold.

Those non-electric, non-motorized days of clean air and sparse population are over. I'm not suggesting we become the scourge of the sea and act like pirates. Today we know, (as Martha would say) “it’s a good thing” to recycle.

Until recently, when I heard the word “recycle”, blue bins and special trucks visiting the neighborhood came to mind. Now I find myself thinking a little differently, phrases like; Rags to Rugs and Trash Crafts come to mind. Researching some of them, I am pleasantly surprised to learn these crafty ideas, or methods of recycling used by our wise ancestors are still in use today.

Do you have any new ways to turn what was useless in the useful?

Here's one:
http://www.recycledragrugs.com/

[Kami]

My daughter just recently had to find stuff around the house to make a craft out of things that could be recycled. She made wind chimes out of water bottles and we took string and beads for the inside, used a store hanger to hang them. Then she decorated the bottles. Came out pretty cool!! :biggrin:

[Battnt]

Here is a link to what this guy did with trash/garbage...I saw the Watts Towers many many years ago, and thought they were so cool!...I still think they're cool...LOL

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watts_towers

[annalyzer]

Here are some of the things I do to recycle and save money.

Keep and use all of the plastic grocery bags from shopping. Use them to line small waste baskets, for dirty cat litter and dog droppings, to bag purchases at garage sales, etc.

Wash plastic baggies, freezer bags, etc. and reuse them.

Don't flush the toilet if you just pee, not until you've peed about 3 times. (unless you have company) :blondblush113268230

Turn off lights when leaving a room if you don't plan on going right back in soon.

Wash and save some of the plastic containers with lids from groceries you purchase to take cooked foods to relatives, store leftovers in fridge, etc.

Recycle all of the items that your trash/recycle service will pick up such as glass, milk jugs, and cans.

Throw old bread out for the birds and lettuce for the rabbits.

Use empty plastic coffee containers to store dogfood, catfood or use as a paint container when painting a room.

Recycle!

[awakening2lite]

The neighborhood recently had a yard sale. At the yard sale I picked up some old ash trays made of glass. They are just the right size to hold 4" flower pots in the window sill and look very nice. The bonus is seeing how much water they are holding!

Now, I'm thinking about what other uses they might have. Any suggestions?

:howdy:

[texanne]

Don't forget to recycle clothing. I have a laundry basket that I keep full of things the two boys are outgrowing. My daughter that lives next door gets first pick of the jeans, etc. She will take things to other moms with boys. I take good care of the boys clothing, and many of them look new when they are placed in the basket. Every now and then we take a stack to a clothing donation location.

[awakening2lite]

It's great to see we have some really good ideas for making useful things from what may have once been considered waste.

Now, you've really got me thinking about more ways to use items before they go into the land fill.

Anymore ideas?:smile:

[emmeblu]

Recently cleaned out MIL's house. Since she is no longer able to sew, I took all her sewing material, needles, threads, etc., to a local nursing home. They were thrilled to get the much needed items. There are people in nursing homes that love sewing as an activity.

Next on the list will be all the knitting yarn, hoops and such. I was amazed at how much those items are needed in the nursing home environment.
MIL was happy to help me donate since she can no longer use.

The nursing home also told me they are always in need of board games. Just something to think about next time any of you clean out the kids room.

:kissyface4:

[awakening2lite]

That's such a nice thing to do, Emmeblu. I'm sure the supplies well be appreciated. Good for you and your mother-in-law.


I found a new life for those large plastic bags surrounding the large bag of hot dog buns, hamburger buns, flat rolls, and more. I'm using them to cover dishes in the refrigerator. They fit perfectly over small bowls and dinner dishes. One twist and a tuck and the open portion is under the dish!

:happy0207:

[PatC]

" Rags to Rugs " == I wish I'd paid more attention to how my Grandma Claudia used to make those rag rugs. She always had them in the kitchen and bathrooms. I'm going to see if there's a "How to make " site for them.

As for using old ashtrays... I have a couple of nice ones I've put some pretty and large scented candles in and I use smaller ones occasionally to burn incense.

The nursing homes are a good place for your used books. There's a lady I know who will take all I can give her and she says romance novels are especially popular! She told me she has one lady who goes through about 5 a week. I suspect those are the smaller Harlequin-type though.

I like to keep a couple of bread wrappers around to use to store left over cornbread or hot rolls. For some reason they seem to "keep" better in them than regular plastic bags.

[Jute]

" Rags to Rugs " == I wish I'd paid more attention to how my Grandma Claudia used to make those rag rugs. She always had them in the kitchen and bathrooms. I'm going to see if there's a "How to make " site for them.

As for using old ashtrays... I have a couple of nice ones I've put some pretty and large scented candles in and I use smaller ones occasionally to burn incense.

The nursing homes are a good place for your used books. There's a lady I know who will take all I can give her and she says romance novels are especially popular! She told me she has one lady who goes through about 5 a week. I suspect those are the smaller Harlequin-type though.

I like to keep a couple of bread wrappers around to use to store left over cornbread or hot rolls. For some reason they seem to "keep" better in them than regular plastic bags.

There are lots of sites with instructions to make rag rugs - and others, like made out of old sweaters.

http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf001084.tip.html

http://www.essortment.com/all/braidedragrugs_rjmn.htm
===========
Vintage Chica Rag Rug Tutorial

http://static.flickr.com/111/284110318_b8b544deb3.jpg

http://vintagechica.typepad.com/the_life_and_times_of_thi/2006/10/rag_rug_tutoria.html
======

And best of all!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_Uz4H47-wc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGr-LiPboEY

(lots more YouTube tutorial videos available)

[texanne]

I just threw away so many things that could have been used. Phooey. Next time I will save them so I can try my hand at rag rugs. I have a huge, heavy ash tray that I use as a Christmas candle holder for the large candles. I don't know for sure what you call it, but it is the old red glass that shows yellow when you hold it up to the light. I have an old cobalt blue one on the back porch that could probably be used too. I love all these tips.

[PatC]

I just threw away so many things that could have been used. Phooey. Next time I will save them so I can try my hand at rag rugs. I have a huge, heavy ash tray that I use as a Christmas candle holder for the large candles. I don't know for sure what you call it, but it is the old red glass that shows yellow when you hold it up to the light. I have an old cobalt blue one on the back porch that could probably be used too. I love all these tips.

That red that shows some yellow... is that Carnival Glass?

Jute Good sites. That bottom picture looks just like the rugs Grandma Claudia used to make. I seem to picture having some little ones used as trivets in the kitchen too.

:happy0158: