Frugal Tip No. 6: Reuse and Recycle

Reusing and recycling things can help you save money. Here are some things that I usually reuse/recycle to save some bucks...

Plastic Bags

• Big plastic bags (grocery bags, big diaper packaging, tissue packaging, etc.)
• I use them for packing stuff
• I use them as trash bags - Since mahal ang trash bags, I usually make it a point to save big plastic bags.  
• Small plastic bags (plastic labo and other small plastic packaging)
• I use them for small trash (fish bones, chicken bones, vegetable trimmings, used cooking oil etc.)

Grocery Paper Bags

• I use them for packing stuff
• I use them as trash bags for dry wastes

Paper Bags with Handle

• Shopping Paper Bags - I use them for bringing some stuff
• Gift Paper Bags - I keep them for future gifts

Gift Wrappers

• I use them to wrap gifts
• I use them for crafts

Ribbons

• I use them in wrapping gifts
• I use them to hold curtains
• I use them to tie things
• I use them to tie cabinets so that the kulilits won't be able to open them
• I use them for crafts

Used Coffee Grounds

• I use them as fertilizer for our plants
• Some other uses of used coffee grounds that I researched:
• Deterant for cats by sprinkling around beds or pots in the garden
• Facial mask by mixing some mashed avocado
• For ashtray
• Anti-cellulite scrub
• Can be used to get the smell of onion or garlic off your hands
• Can be used as a replacement of baking soda to eliminate odors of your fridge or freezer
• Ants, snails and slugs repellant
• Brown fabric dye
• Can be used to scour away grease on your pots and pans
• Dried used coffee grounds can get rid of the stink of your smelly pair of shoes
• Can be used to prevent dandruff
• Skin exfoliant
• Can be used to color scratches of your wooden furniture
• Can be used to give paper "aged" look

Old Clothes and Towels

• I use them as rags or pamunas (cleaning cloths)
• Here are some other ways to reuse old clothes and towels:
• Patches
• Gloves
• Fabric accessories - headbands, hair ties, bracelets, necklaces or belts, little pouches etc.
• Chairs like bean bags
• Shopping bags
• Make stuffed toys or clothes for your stuffed toys
• Quilt
• Book cover
• Pillows and cushions
• Shock absorber
• Ropes
• Winter accessories - scarves, hats and mittens
• Pet clothes

Paper

• I cut them to be used as scratch paper
• Paper for my kulilits to draw/write on
• I make improvised envelopes

Old Newspaper

• I use them to clean glass and mirrors
• I use them as cushion for my ceramics or other breakable things
• I use to them to dry things
• I use them as pansalo ng kalat 
• I use them to light charcoals
• Something to sit on when I'm outside
• Other uses of old newspaper:
• Paper mache
• For dog poop
• Painting mask
• Gift wrappers
• Packaging
• Used to ripen tomatoes
• Fruit and vegetable drawer liner
• Paper funnel
• Shoe and boot mat
• Garden Mulch
• Deodorizer of stinky shoes
• Shelf lining
• Cooler deodorizer
• Grill cleaner
• Cheap rags
• Hat shapers

Tin Cans

• Small Tin Cans
• Knick Knacks organizer - safety pins, paper clips, hair pins, etc.
• Big Tin Cans
• Sewing kit
• Storage - food, detergent powders, charcoal, letters, etc.

Boxes

• I use them to organize things
• I use them as gift boxes

Plastic To-Go Containers

• I use it in bringing baon which I intend to dispose the container afterwards
• I use it for guest take outs after party para kahit hindi na mareturn yung container ok lang
• Can be used as containers for ingredients preparation
• I use it to organize things - crayons and other abubots

Liquid Soap Dispensers

• I usually buy refills na lang since it is cheaper then I refill the dispenser

Nice Bottles

• I use Starbucks bottles as coin banks
• Flower vase
• Other uses:
• Crafts
• Ornaments
• Wind Chimes

Actually, there are a lot more. How about you, what items do you usually reuse/recycle?