by Angel Sharum

Created on: August 06, 2009

Yard sales are all about recycling. One person is putting their unneeded items out for others to reuse, therefore not filling landfills with things that are still perfectly good. There is no end to the items recycled through yard sales. Never throw anything that is still usable away because someone else might want it. Have a yard sale and recycle it instead!

Clothes that are outgrown or just no longer desirable are a staple of yard sales. Children's clothes are a big hit at yard sales because some people need new school clothes for their children but don't have a lot of money to spend. A mother can purchase clothes for five children at a yard sale for less than it would cost to clothe one at a department store. When her children outgrow the clothes she can then have her own yard sale or give the clothes to goodwill, therefore recycling twice.

Others will purchase old clothes just for the fabric. They use the fabric to make pillows, quilts and other items. Scrap fabric is another item that goes over well at yard sales for this reason. Quilting with old clothes and scrap fabric is a recycling tradition that has been around for years and will continue to prosper in part because of yard sales.

Scrap wood from remolding projects is another great item that is recycled through yard sales. Many crafters search yard sales for pieces of wood they can use to make cute birdhouses, yard signs, or a multitude of other fun craft projects.

Picture frames are a find at almost all yard sales. Whether wood, metal or plastic, picture frames can be spruced up by the new owners and used for years to come. People use the frames to house their own family photos or in craft projects. Either way, the frames are recycled instead of thrown away.

Bottles are another item that is often recycled through yard sales. Some people collect different styles of bottles or different designs from certain soft drink manufactures. People also use pretty bottles to hold flowers in, and artists will purchase them to hold paintbrushes and pencils. Putting old bottles in a yard sale is a great way to recycle glass.

Parents can use yard sales as a way to teach about recycling and reusing items to their children. Let the children put old toys they no longer use in the yard sale and see the smiles brought to other children's faces when they actually find a toy their parents can afford to buy them.

Toys, clothes, bottles, wood, and many other items are all recycled every day through yard sales. People help both the environment and the economy when they put old items out for reuse.

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