More Recycling Tips

Rakes

• Use broken rakes for metal sculptures.
• If the handle is broken, buy a wooden rod, attach it to the rake and reuse.
• Use the handle to support plants.
• Remove the handle, paint the rake, and hang it upside down in the garage to hang small gardening tools from.

Records

• Trim with something interesting and then use the hole in the middle to put a picture of a family member, friend, etc.
• Hang them on a wall for a funky bedroom decoration.

Reflectors

• Attach bike reflectors to sticks to mark the end of your driveway.
• If you have a wooded area in your backyard, attach to trees for trail markers.

Refrigerator

• Cut the seal between the frame and the door and use for small magnets (the seal is magnetic).
• If it is broken, it can be used as an enclosed shelving system for the basement or garage. If it is still usable, give it to charity.

Remote Control

• Let kids use as a zapper when playing.

Road Maps

• Glue to a large piece of cardboard and then cut into a puzzle. This makes a good educational toy for children.
• Place over an end table and laquer for an interesting finish. This can also be done on lamp shades.

Rubber Bands

• Tape or glue onto clothes hangers to keep clothes from slipping off.

Rulers

• Keep by the workbench for use when you lose your tape measure.
• If it is broken, use the pieces for small straight edges.
• Use wooden ones for firewood (remove the metal strip).
• Tie strings to it and use when making marionettes (those dancing puppet things).

Safety Pins

• Use as zipper extenders for those hard to grasp zippers such as in jeans.

Sheets

• Use for curtains when camping.
• Cut into smaller pieces and use for rags.
• Make into pillow cases.
• Use for curtains when camping.
• Cut into smaller pieces and use for rags.
• Make into pillow cases.
• Use as tarps for floors or furniture when painting.
• Use as a picnic blanket or beach blanket.
• Make flannel sheets into pajamas (some sewing skills required).
• Cut into smaller pieces and use for packing away fragile items.
• Use as ghost costumes for kids (does anyone do this anymore?).
• Keep in the trunk of your car for transporting messy stuff.
• Use as a cover for a pool table, exercise equipment, etc.

Shoelaces

• Save and use for anything you would use string for.
• Store in your travel first aid kit and use for an emergency tourniquet.
• Use as a covering for your home-made clothes hangers so you don't snag your clothing.
• Wash. Tie the ends of the curly, stretchable type (that you don't need to tie), and use as a hair band.
• Attach one end to your child's mittens and run the other end through the sleeve of their coat to prevent mitten loss.
• Use as a ribbon on packages wrapped in homemade wrapping paper.
• Carry a spare in your purse, car or gym bag in case you break one.
• Use as an emergency belt for your child. Tie a couple together for an adult belt.
• Use to hand ornaments from the Christmas tree.
• Braid three or more together to make bracelets.
• Attach to ceiling fans/lighting fixtures as a pull chain.
• Use as curtain tie-backs.
• ollege students can use to hang dorm room keys around their neck.
• Use to tie plants to a plant support.
• Use to hang a small birdfeeder from a tree.
• Use as a replacement drawstring on hoods, sweatpants, etc.
• Keep in camping gear in case rope on tent breaks.
• String nuts and washers through for orderly storage.
• Roll into a coil, secure with glue or thread and use,as a coaster or a hot pad.

Shoes

• Wear old sneakers when washing cars, cutting the lawn, gardening, etc. Save the buckles from sandals.
• Wear old golf or baseball shoes (the kind with the spikes) when you are doing yard work to help aerate your lawn.

Shoulder Pads

• Sew to the inside of a bra to add a little padding.
• Use for waxing your car.

Shovel Handles

• Insert into the soil of a large potted plant and tie the plant to it for support. This is helpful for large plants which tend to droop.
• Insert into the ground and tie small trees to it. This helps to prevent sagging, wind deformation, running over it with a lawnmower, etc.

Shower Curtain

• Use as a tarp for grills, wood, etc.
• Cover your table with the curtain while the kids are painting or playing with play-doh to make for easy clean-up.
• Cut and make into a curtain for the bathroom window.
• Line the trunk of your car with it when transporting dirty items.
• Use to cover your outdoor plants when the weather drops to freezing.
• Make sure you put stakes in the ground to prevent the curtain from crushing your plants.
• Use as a drop cloth or for covering furniture when painting.
• Cut old shower curtains into large rectangles. With two clothes pins, secure one rectangle to the shoulder seams of your kids shirts while they are painting.
• Punch extra holes with a paper hole puncher to replace ripped ones.
• Use as a childrens slip and slide toy when wet.
• Use as a drop cloth.