by Dee Crabtree

Created on: May 07, 2008   Last Updated: May 20, 2008

In our disposable society, we have become accustomed to using things once and then throwing them away. However, in the face of rising food and energy costs, many of us are enjoying less and less disposable income. In truth, so many everyday household items have multiple uses. Before you throw anything into the trash, take another look and imagine what else that item in your hand could be used for. Examine the features that made that item perfect for its intended use and carefully consider how repurposing that item could save you money and also help save the environment.

For example, contact lens cases are designed to safely store and transport contact lenses without leaking the contact solution. These little cases also make excellent travel containers for medications and cosmetics. Pour a little bit of moisturizer in one side of the case and foundation into the other side and you'll be all set for a weekend trip or quick make-up touch-ups whenever needed.

If you're standing in front of the trashcan ready to dump a beautiful but empty wine bottle, consider how handy a bottle with a long neck can be. Fill that empty bottle with water and set it on your kitchen counter. You may be surprised just how many uses you will find for it. Do your pets need a drink? Your wine bottle full of water sits ready to assist. If you have plants you need to water, the long neck of your new water bottle can navigate the greenery and get to the dirt with ease.

Do you have plastic kiddy cups leftover from family visits to restaurants? Drop one into a drink holder in your car and use it to corral inks pens, sunglasses or anything else that might be rolling around in your car. These tiny cups can also be used to organize odds and ends in medicine cabinets or in the kitchen pantry.

Why clutter the landfill with empty coffee canisters? Lidded coffee canisters can be used to store crayons, pet food, nails and any number of other small items. If you're painting a room, clean empty canisters can be used as extra paint buckets. Simply snap on the lid when you have to stop working for the day. When you're ready to begin work again, your paint will still be as fresh as when you first opened the paint can.

Don't throw out that rubber band that came with the bunch of celery you just bought. Keep it in your kitchen drawer and use it to open stubborn jars. Put one band in your manicure kit to wrap around and loosen stubborn nail polish lids that seem to be sealed shut.

Even the material you pull from your paper shredded can find second life. Use it as packing material when you send gifts or boxing things up for storage.

So the next time you walk to the trash can, stop, take a second and consider how you might save money and the environment by finding a second life for the items you are about to dispose of.

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