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20 Things We Throw Away That We Shouldn't (Ecosalon)

Submitted by: Tip Hero  10/06/2009 10:43 PM
 
When you really stop and think about it, it is appalling how much waste we generate on a daily basis. This waste takes a toll both on the planet and our wallets.

On the bright side, where there is waste, there is an opportunity for savings. Ecosalon recently put together a list of 20 things we throw away that we shouldn't. They included some basics like water bottles, paper napkins, and paper towels, but they also had some items that surprised us:

  • Tissue Boxes "When you go to the store to restock your supply, buy refills for the boxes you already have instead. Better yet, switch to a handkerchief."

    Another option, if you really want to get thrifty, would be to try this DIY Kleenex Refill tip we found on instructables.com.


  • Razor Blades "Buy a razor sharpener to make dull blades like new again. (Whoever invented the idea of throwaway shaving razors has a special place in a melting ice cap.)"

    We read on Eco-Action.net that "Americans buy two billion disposable razors and razor blades every year." Two billion! We recently purchased replacement blades for our razor and they were about $2 each, so if we use 1-2 blades a month we spend $24-$48 per year, money that we could be saving. We would be interested to hear from anyone who has tried a razor sharpener.


  • Printer Cartridges "When you run out of ink, refill your printer cartridges at places like Walgreen's or CVS instead of throwing them away and buying new ones."

    This may not be applicable for all ink cartridges, but it's definitely something to consider the next time you purchase a printer, factoring in both the replacement cost of the ink, as well as whether refilling the cartridge is an option.



    • To read the complete list and to find out more on how to cut down on waste, click on the Ecosalon link at the end of this post.

    We would also love to hear from you about items that you think should be included in this list, as well as how you have saved by not investing in disposables, by posting a comment below. And thanks for being a Tip Hero!

    The Top 20 Things We Throw Away (That We Shouldn't) (Source: Ecosalon)
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    Comments:
     
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    I have never in my life seen a tissue box refill. They stopped using handkerchiefs for a reason- spread of disease. I agree with most everything else except I hate reusing containers for leftovers because I look in the fridge and think I have cottage cheese when it is really leftover mac and cheese and then I go to make something and I dont have what I need! Problem solved with a label I suppose.
     
    Posted by Cindy on October 08, 2009 1:18 PM
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    @ Cindy - in this day and age, people who would be using hankies probably have access to health care. If you wash them regualary, there won't be an issue in spreading disease.

    I think I'm going to try it. Hubby and I don't go through a lot of tissues, but when you consider $2+ a box, every month or two, over the course of a year, it could end up being $12 or more. $12 a year mutlipied by the number of years you will be spending comes out to a lot of our after tax dollars.

    I think I'll invest the $5 or so dollars to make a couple hankies.
     
    Posted by anonymous on October 08, 2009 2:13 PM
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    We have used the walgreen ink cartridge refills, but we quit***too many problems with leakage, and they did not seem to last very long (faint print)**as we use our printer for mostly printing grocery/food coupons, we need a clean clear bar code printout**Walgreens just did not hack it***After several times of trying it we now to to BJ & buy new ones in a 3 pack**Expensive originally but when you break it down, it works out pretty cheaply**
     
    Posted by anonymous on October 08, 2009 2:57 PM
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    I've used hankies for at least 64 years and no problems. I won't be caught without one.
     
    Posted by anonymous on October 08, 2009 4:34 PM
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    I switched to hankies about two years ago. I met my husband (we're both older) and he always had one in his pocket. I love it. I also went to cloth napkins and dishtowels instead of paper towels.....it's great!
     
    Posted by anonymous on October 08, 2009 5:44 PM
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    I have beautiful hankies of all colors, one in my purse and one in my pocket, I have very few colds.
     
    Posted by anonymous on October 08, 2009 5:58 PM
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    Answer to Cindy. I use left over containers from butter tubs, or any of the products that are sold that way. The kids always want left overs to take home. You guessed! You never see those containers again. It use to cost a lot to replace my good containers. Now I don't care what they do with the ones they borrow? Jim
     
    Posted by Jim HILL on October 08, 2009 6:15 PM
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    We tried the Walgreens ink cartridge refills as well and had problems, (faint print, and certain colors like blue,green disappeared). Ended up spending more money in the long run because I had to remove the refilled cartridge (spent about $15.00 on it) then go to Wal-Mart and buy the replacement ones for $28.00. I'll never get a refill again.
     
    Posted by KC in AR on October 08, 2009 6:23 PM
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    I've never seen tissue box refills either. It IS more sanitary to use tissues, even with access to healthcare. Carrying around a hankie with nasal discharge is gross. I'll stick with the tissues.
     
    Posted by KC in AR on October 08, 2009 6:29 PM
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    When I buy cookies, veggies etc in see thru cartons and lids, I reuse them for left overs. The large ones that cakes come in, I reuse for my baked cakes.. or turn upside down for fresh made cookies. The rectangular ones are good for cakes and cookies too.
    I save napkins from fast food places to use instead of paper towels.
     
    Posted by Mollie on October 08, 2009 7:40 PM
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    I really think very poorly of some one who takes napkins from a fast food place. But I guess when you are a thief it becomes alright to do it. You should be (ASHAMED TO WRITE THAT COMMENT)
     
    Posted by Doug on October 08, 2009 10:09 PM
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    "Whoa, there cowboy" Everone gets napkins when you order food. Who's saying anyone's stealing!
    Once they're in your bag you can't give them back.That's against food laws. Take a second dose and chill out!! That's not nice!!
     
    Posted by gale osborn on October 08, 2009 10:39 PM
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    Doug, shame on you for casting a stone. She didn't say she takes them from fast food places, she said she "saves" the extras. Some restaurants just grab a bunch and throw them in the bag. I also use the "leftover" napkins for future use. Better than just throwing them away.
     
    Posted by anonymous on October 08, 2009 11:06 PM
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    Just a bit judgmental don't you think? Who said she is stealing. Maybe she meant that she just brings home the ones that come with her meal. In fast food lines you usually get more than one or perhaps she asked for an extra napkin. I happen to be reading this on work time. What a bad person!
     
    Posted by Carol on October 09, 2009 8:11 AM
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    This comment is to Doug--I don't steal the napkins, they give them to me when I've placed an order. What's your problem?
     
    Posted by Mollie on October 09, 2009 10:27 AM
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    Thanks to all of you who stepped up and defended me-you deserve a pat on the back. This was only me second blog and after reading that from Doug I was sure this was not the thing to do. Thanks y'all
     
    Posted by Mollie on October 09, 2009 10:33 AM
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    The ink refills don't work. I tried Office Max several times. Just not worth the leaks and bad print-outs. Buying from BJ's is cheaper in the long run, however, the gas that I use both ways, going to Office max breaks even. I use HP ink, which is NEVER on sale.
     
    Posted by anonymous on October 09, 2009 10:57 AM
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    If you read the article it mentions using non disposable contact lenses for a year or more. DONT!

    There is a reason disposables are so popular. Infections in your eyes can cause blindness and other dangerous diseases that can spread from your eye to your optic nerve to your brain! I don't mean to be alarmist, and I have used disposables for longer than was recommended, with no ill effects. But I do ask that people be aware and educated.

    My suggestion: Glasses.
     
    Posted by anonymous on October 09, 2009 12:30 PM
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    I've had the same bad experience with Walgreen ink refills. I wouldn't recommend it. My printer has never worked the same. They would not claim any responsibility or offer any compensation - that was $15 down the tubes. I ended up going to Staples, getting a $3 rebate for the old cartridge and buying new HP.
     
    Posted by anonymous on October 09, 2009 4:12 PM
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    I use egg cartons to keep earrings in.
     
    Posted by C. H. Jerusalem, Ohio on October 09, 2009 10:37 PM
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    I save the napkins, straws, condiments etc that I get with any fast or take out food. Some stay
    in my car for little emergencies and others in a
    ziploc bag in a kitchen drawer. How many times have we run out of ketchup or whatever? and this helps when you have little kids and don't want to run out to the store at dinner time.
    To throw them away is wasteful!!
     
    Posted by Trish on October 10, 2009 12:59 AM
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    I would recommend Cartridge World for refilling used ink cartridges. I have had good success with them. Bring a used cartridge to exchange and save $3.

     
    Posted by Tim on October 10, 2009 1:14 PM
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    re: Razor Blade Sharpeners: If you read the reviews on Amazon for the "Save a Blade" product hawked on TV, you'll see it's a rip-off. The process of manufacturing razor blades is so complex that you're not going to restore a new, honed edge to a used blade period. I use Gillette Mach III blades and one lasts me a month of daily facial hair shaving. Ignore the "blue-to-white" lubricating strip "notification" of :when to replace the blade" — it's just another attempt to get you to buy more blades than you need.

    re: Printer cartridges. For printing text — e.g. letters, articles, etc. — switch to a laser printer. Ink jet printers are another example of the King Gilette "give away the razor, sell the blades" business model. Ink jet printers are cheap, but they get you with the cartridges. If you regularly need to print text, step up to small-office grade laser printer — I favor Lexmark — and you can print thousands of pages from a laser printer toner cartridge. I buy the extra-capacity toner cartridges: they cost more, but last far longer and are a better deal on a price-per-page basis. Better yet, read on the screen and save a tree.
     
    Posted by G. E. Swain on October 11, 2009 12:36 PM
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    I ditto everyone on the Walgreens refills - when the refill doesn't "fail" the refill test, the refilled cartridge does not work as intended. I save ink by using the "quick print" feature - for those who are printing coupons the barcodes scan just fine when you do a quick print. I recycle my used cartridges at Staples and get $3 each back. Tissue refills are a nifty idea, but I have never seen such a thing.
     
    Posted by Robin on October 12, 2009 12:41 AM
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    I have had success with black ink cartridge refills from Walgreens (I use HP 45.) However, no success with tricolor ink cartridges (I use HP 78.) I wait for a sale on black refills, then get my black cartridges refilled.

    For No. 78 color cartridge, it is cheaper to go on ebay and buy an original HP brand. I save $15 per cartridge on ebay. I take my empty color cartridges to Staples or Office Depot for $3 in store credit.
     
    Posted by anonymous on October 15, 2009 3:17 PM
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    Ladies one of the things you should never throw away is a rake with a broken handle, simply saw off the rest of the handle and hang the rake part on the wall it is a great place to hang your long beautiful necklaces.. you can get a lot on each tine and they curve up just enough that the stuff never slides off and of course you can paint them any color, even add glitter, they work well in a country kitchen for pot holders and aprons or what ever hits your fancy.
     
    Posted by Nancy on October 15, 2009 6:49 PM
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    For everyone out there who want to see what a tissue box refill looks like, the site is listed at the top of this page. Quite a unigue idea...maybe for use in hubby's PU??
     
    Posted by anonymous on October 15, 2009 10:18 PM
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    Regarding inkjet cartridges: the cheapest approach of all is to refill them yourself. A few years ago we bought a refill kit: three bottles of colored ink (cyan, magenta, and yellow), one HUGE bottle of black ink, and a syringe for injecting the ink into the cartridge. It can get a little bit messy the first time you try it, but with practice, it becomes easier, and MUCH cheaper than buying new cartridges.

    As for the tissue boxes, you don't buy a "refill," you just open up the box and insert a roll of toilet paper with the cardboard tube removed. Then tape it back up again. I learned this trick from the Dollar Stretcher. We do use hankies for ourselves, but the tissue box trick allows us to offer our guests something that looks nicer than a plain roll of toilet paper.

    And, to Doug: might I gently suggest that you are unlikely to win anyone over to your position by being hostile and insulting?
     
    Posted by haverwench on October 17, 2009 5:58 PM
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    Don't discard large emptied bags of pet food immediately. First, fill them with your trash. I haven't needed to buy trash bags for over a year and am getting maximum value from something I buy regularly. Plus the bags are built to hold weight without breaking, and they won't leak either.
     
    Posted by Lisa on October 18, 2009 12:16 PM
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    I think it would be more attractive to buy the larger boxes of kleenex which are much cheaper than the 'boutique' size boxes, which take up less room & fit in pretty holders. Unfasten the bottom flaps of the boutique box, then fold and fit a large bunch from the big box into the boutique box, pulling the first one up to start. Retape/retape the bottom. You have a 'boutique' box full, but spent less money by buying the 'bulk' box!
     
    Posted by lady laughs on October 22, 2009 1:45 PM
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    As for ink refills: five years ago, I too bought ink refill kits. I bought only black and did not dare try the colored ones. Even after I got the hang of it, the refilling was messier than I preferred. Also, the quality was not as good as the original. My black ink cartridge would print fewer pages before becoming faint. I ended up with a mess, less ink, and much waste of time and money.

    I gave up and now get refilled black ink at Walgreens. I buy HP brand color cartridges on ebay. If anyone else has better luck with ink refill kits, please advise the brand you use, the cost, and where we may get them. Thanks.
     
    Posted by anonymous on October 22, 2009 2:25 PM
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    Rake reuses-just saw this somewhere (maybe in Reader's Digest?)-for the "other" kind of rake, after you've removed the handle, spray paint the rake head. Attach it upside down to a wall and you've got a great stemmed glass holder.
     
    Posted by Cathy on October 22, 2009 3:30 PM
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    We have a summer place in Duluth, MN. Rather than spend $16 per month for garbage pick-up we take
    grocery bag and fill them daily with our trash and deposit them at containers at stores or we use dumpsters at various parks scattered around the community. We saved approximately $80 this summer.
     
    Posted by Ken on October 22, 2009 5:51 PM
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    Want Cheap ink get a new Kodak Printer. The cartridges last 3 times as long and are only about 15 buck.
     
    Posted by anonymous on October 22, 2009 6:52 PM
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    I reuse the paper towels that I have used to wipe my granite counters to wipe up spills on the floor. To conserve water, I catch the cold water in a bucket (often a gallon) until the warm water comes through for my shower. I then use it to water plants, put in my washing machine, etc.
     
    Posted by anonymous on October 22, 2009 8:05 PM
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    Saving on Ink Refills:
    By far the best I've ever have bought from is 123inkjets.com - plus if you sign up with Ebates, you get 16% back on your purchase!
     
    Posted by anonymous on October 22, 2009 8:07 PM
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    Note to Ken (We have a summer place in Duluth). Throwing household trash in park dumpsters is illegal in most states. Throwing trash in store dumpsters is "Theft of services" in most states. Be careful where you save your $80. A 'theft of service' fine can run into the hundreds of dollars. A friend.
     
    Posted by anonymous on October 22, 2009 10:10 PM
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    Try Printer Filling Station online for cartridge refills and chip resetters. Good, friendly service.
     
    Posted by anonymous on October 23, 2009 10:12 AM
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    RE: razor blades, I just read that razor cartridge sharpeners extend the life of disposable blades so you use 75% less disposable razors/yr.

    The recommended sharpener, Razor Saver is sold at Sustainable Village for $11.95. Has anyone tried this???

    www.thesustainablevillage.com/servlet/display/product/detail/37021
     
    Posted by justinsvr on October 27, 2009 10:11 AM
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    I have used a disposable razor sharpner for last 15-20 years Works great for "womenly" shaving areas, My hubby doesn't like to use it on his face.

    ***Use that hankie! All tissues are made with wood products which is why when you have a cold, your nose gets so raw and tender, Also a bunch of snotty tissues is pretty nasty!

    ***Cut you dryer sheet into forths. They work just as well, Toss a tennis ball into dryer and cut way down on dryng time.

    *** I take a kitchen towel , wrap it around my swifter and secure on each end, mop and wash towel! Sometimes I do the same with used dryer sheet
     
    Posted by Layce Lucky to live in Kentucky on October 28, 2009 6:00 PM
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    We don't usually use the plastic utensils that come with our fast food order.I save them ,and either give them to relatives who camp/picnic.
    Or take them to the city mission when I go to serve a meal once a week.They are wrapped ,,so safe. They do sometimes do "take out" for the community.And once ar twice a year ,have a BBQ.
    I know,we should say "no utensils" when we get fast food.That just doesn't work.They put them in anyway.
     
    Posted by Di on January 02, 2010 7:34 AM
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    I am a "lunch lady". We are allowed to take a lunch. The most convienent way is to use a styrofoam tray. If they are not soiled.I keep them.Use them for picnics/camping.
     
    Posted by Di on January 02, 2010 7:38 AM
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    Actually one of the ways to cut down on the amount of food wasted is to not have trays in the schools.
    Check out wastedfood.com for the research backing this.
     
    Posted by anonymous on January 02, 2010 5:27 PM
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    I have used the electric razor sharpener on our Mach3 razors ( walgreens as seen on tv kind) , it was a total waste of money and did not work. I was convinced after watching some guy on youtube who said it worked. I love the Mach3 not the newest model but the 3 blade variety because 1 refill lasts about 6 weeks and can be pushed to last as long as 3 months. The new 4 or 5 blade variety does not go the distance and in my opinion does not work as good despite the extra blades.

    I refill my own Ink cartridges and I have a new MX300 canon printer. I use the inktec brand which works great no leaks and they have handy
    videos on youtube for each kind they sell. I buy from Amazon (free shipping) The color refill gives you four refills and the black gives you 2 each is $15 The total cost to buy the same amount from cannon is $120 that's a 75% savings. About leaking I had the same problem before when I took mine to be refilled at a copy center it actually destroyed my old printer. Watch a video on youtube and do it yourself you save more and do not have to worry about a careless employee botching the job.
     
    Posted by Tricia R. on January 02, 2010 8:36 PM
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    I'm sorry ,i wasn't clear.We don't use the stryfoam trays ALL the time at our school.
    Just when we need to. Sometimes,,stuff happens,and we can't use our plastic trays.
    Anonymous? I don't understand? How do we serve the food if we don't have trays?
    I do agree that some of the food is wasted.I see what some of the kids throw out.
     
    Posted by Di on January 03, 2010 6:44 AM
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    1. use a timer in the bathroom to limit shower time water waste. When my kids are running slow they like to just stand there.

    2. Home Depot marks down paint every night from color matches people didn't like. I managed to paint my whole house (12 rooms) for under $50.00.

    3. I have managed to organize my house by buying all kids of storage containors from 2nd hand stores. People tend to buy a piece or two and then give up on it so off it goes to a second hand store.

    4. Always Always before buying from hardward stores, home depot, lowels, menards, check the price and see if the other store has the same item,(check by internet) even if it's a penny cheeper they match and go 10% lower. I have saved big dollars doing this. You invest time and travel but you come out ahead.

    5. For those who like to garden - check out construction or rebuilds for plants, rock and pavers. I have found that they will allow me to dig stuff up.

    6. I have a covered garbage can by my down spout with an entended gutter going into the lid. This past summer I didn't have to pull the hose out at all to water my gardens.
     
    Posted by Sabbara on January 13, 2010 7:23 AM
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