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upcycle

Simple Ways to Reduce Your Use of Plastic

September 25, 2019 by Vanessa 2 Comments

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com. 

I have a challenge for you. (It’s one I heard about on TV during a “60 Minutes” episode on climate change and pollution.) After you read this post, I want you to try to go as long as you can without touching anything plastic. How long do you think you could last?

Almost everything we use is made of some form of plastic. One day, I accepted the challenge. It was impossible not to touch my phone or my toothbrush within moments of waking up.

I’m concerned about the rate at which we are contributing to global warming and our overdependence on plastic, especially single-use plastic. While some usage of plastic materials is unavoidable, I believe we can do without an abundance of it. For example, “we are producing over 300 million tons of plastic every year, 50% of which is for single-use purposes – utilized for just a few moments, but on the planet for at least several hundred years,” reports Plastic™ Oceans. The plastic garbage that makes it into our oceans, lakes, ponds, and streams are killing wildlife from fish to birds. Much of this trash washes up on shore and pollutes beaches.

Source: Pexels

How can someone do their part to reduce their use of single-use plastic? Follow my lead! While I’m not perfect (our household has only begun the journey to a reduced-waste lifestyle), small changes are decreasing our dependence on plastic. Which one of these small actions could you take in your household starting today?

Source: Pixabay

STOP BUYING INDIVIDUAL BEVERAGES

The days of grabbing a water bottle on the way to leave the house are over for me. If I need a roadie drink, I fill up a reusable metal bottle for the trip. Aside from the fact I’m no longer spending a ton of money on bottled water in bulk at Sam’s, I’m consciously decided that I don’t need to buy single-sized sweetened beverages. Now, that is better for my health, too!

USE METAL OR BAMBOO STRAWS

Although not as common as a metal water bottle, metal straws (some are collapsable and made to fit in your pocket or purse!) and bamboo straws are the solution for not using plastic ones. Don’t worry about how you’re going to clean them either. Most straws of this kind come with their own cleaning brush. I stock both types of straws and typically prefer the metals ones. When dining in a restaurant, I don’t use the straw provided or decline it.

An example of a reusable straw that we keep on hand at home.

SWITCH TO BAR SOAP

I’ve switched to bar soap. It’s funny, I used to think bar soap was so archaic, so I dunno…grandma-ish. Today’s premium bar soaps are luxurious, made from all-natural ingredients, and lather up just as well as most bottled shower gels. If you really want to go for the gold, ditch your plastic shower loofah and opt instead for a wash cloth.

BRING CLOTH TOTE BAGS TO THE STORE

I’m not sure why my local grocer hasn’t switched to an anti-plastic bags rule yet, but they haven’t. I bring reusable, cloth bags to the store and ask that they use them instead when sacking my groceries in small, plastic bags. If I accidentally forget my cloth bags, I simply ask the store to use paper bags.

Durable cloth totes like these can be purchased at nearly any natural foods store or grocery store and can be laundered.

REUSE PLASTIC PRODUCE BAGS

I use drawstring mesh produce bags to avoid using plastic produce bags for items such as avocados or citrus that I can hand-wash before eating. If I have to bring home any plastic bags, then I simply stash them in my cloth grocery bags so they make their journey back to the store.

PACK BAMBOO CUTLERY

Made from earth-friendly material, bamboo flatware is surprisingly durable and can be cleaned in the dishwasher. While it’s most likely not strong enough to cut a steak, it does the job for most foods. I pack a set, like this one from Knork, in my lunch bag daily.

USE A CLEANING CLOTH INSTEAD OF PAPER TOWELS

Easy to wash in the laundry, cleaning cloths can be used to wipe up spills or wash your dishes. I don’t use them to clean windows, but they are awesome for use in the kitchen. I’ve noticed that I’m buying far less paper towels now and eventually I will stop buying them at all and opt for micro-fiber cloths instead.

MORE IDEAS FOR REDUCING YOUR USE OF PLASTIC

  1. Instead of buying your milk or juice in a plastic jug, buy it in waxed cardboard instead. The packaging contains some plastic material, but it’s far less than the alternative.
  2. Buy ingredients in bulk.
  3. Store leftovers in glass containers.
  4. Avoid using restaurant take-out containers. Bring your own or request some items to be packaged in foil.
  5. Don’t buy frozen dinners. Cook for yourself. Grab a dinner recipe here.
  6. Buy bread in a paper sleeve or make it yourself.
  7. Don’t change out your garbage can’s trash liner after every use. Better yet, don’t use a bag at all.
  8. Use real silverware instead of plastic cutlery when hosting parties.
  9. Make your own salad dressings and store them in mason jars like this recipe, Homemade Buttermilk Ranch Dressing.
  10. Use biodegradable bags instead of plastic bags for disposing of pet waste.
  11. Make your own household cleaners. Consider this one that uses leftover orange peels. I reused a plastic spray bottle at the time, but I see value in using glass spray bottles now.

It’s on us to make a contribution to reduce our use of plastics since so much of the waste is ending up in our world’s oceans, rivers, and streams. To do more research into the environmental issue, I encourage you to visit this link by National Geographic.

Do you have ideas to share about how to reduce one’s dependence on plastic? Feel free to leave it in the comment section below to inspire others!

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: beach, Climate Change, disposable product, earth, environment, garbage, global warming, planet, plastic, recycle, reduce, reuse, single use plastic, sustainability, trash, upcycle

How to Rust Proof a Wrought Iron Raised Dog Dish Stand

May 23, 2017 by Vanessa 1 Comment

We are the products of a society that simply throws things away and replaces them when they break or don’t suit our tastes anymore.

Think: when is the last time you bought a duplicate of something you already owned?

Maybe it’s because I was raised in a do-it-yourself household, but I’m the type of person who first considers if they can fix or renovate something before buying it new, again. Plus, I feel accomplished knowing that I created or “re-created” something with my hands!

It seems like the idea of renovation is more popular than ever thanks to HGTV shows like Fixer Upper, Rehab Addict, and Home Town. What’s old is new again! Well, I decided to roll up my sleeves and refurbish our dog’s wrought iron raised dog dish stand after a couple years of neglect left it incredibly rusted and looking sad.

Before

Perhaps you don’t have a raised dog bowl stand, but I bet you also have a rusted metal plant stand or outdoor lantern that is beginning to look a bit sad too. No fear! In a few easy steps you can bring that tired piece of metal artwork back to it’s glory. Let’s get started.

Summon up that can-do spirit because we’re about to take this rusted piece of junk back to its original beauty. What is that gross white stuff anyway?

Because our 10 year-old dog Sasha laps her water wildly when she drinks, this wrought iron dog dish stand has suffered from quite a bit of rust. She has the longest tongue I’ve ever seen on a dog!

The first step to fixing this rust problem is to remove as much of it as possible using a metal brush.

A small metal brush like this one works well for curved metal projects because it allows you to get into the small grooves of metal to free loose pieces of rust.

After breaking loose every bit of rush from all sides of the stand, you can use a soft bristled brush or rag to clean up its surface.

After brushing the rust pieces loose from the metal stand, you can position it on top of old cardboard boxes or newspaper to prepare your space to cover it with Rust Stop indoor/outdoor spray paint.

Using smooth continuous strokes, spray all sides of the metal stand. Allow it to dry, turn it upside down, and spray the bottom sides of it as well. If you have to paint more than one coat, expect several hours of drying time.

This spray in particular is awesome to use because it not only prevents future rust but also paints your metal items just as great as any other brand of spray paint. TIP: After completely spraying your projects with canned spray paint, turn the can upside and spray it just a little bit more to keep the nozzle from clogging.

After

Looks like Sasha just got herself a refurbished metal dog dish that looks awesome. Of course, she didn’t even notice but I did!

Looks at this beauty!

What new potential do you see in your old metal pieces now? In a few DIY steps and a little effort, your old stuff can look new again.

Are you as obsessed with your dog as I am? You might also appreciate my post for Homemade Bacon Cheddar Dog Biscuits and Frozen Yogurt Pupcakes or check out my Facebook page for dog lovers to read more posts about dog care.

Filed Under: DIY Tagged With: dish, DIY, do it yourself, dog, dog biscuits, dog food, dog water, Fixer Upper, food dish, frozen yogurt pupcakes, HGTV, Home Town, homemade, paint, paint brush, pup, puppy, refurbish, Rehab Addict, restoration, restore, rust, rust proof, spray paint, stand, steel brush, upcycle, wrought iron

How to Glamorize Dollar Store Frames

September 12, 2016 by Vanessa Leave a Comment

Cruising down the aisles of trendy home goods stores, I’m always shocked at the sticker price for a simple picture frame. I love Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, and World Market but my wallet doesn’t. As someone who likes to decorate for the seasons and change up my household decor, I refuse to pay high prices to display family photos. You can create the same gorgeous look for your photo frames without spending big bucks. All you need is a Dollar Store frame and a little spray paint!

Supplies Required:

$1 photo frame of your choice

Rust-oleum Universal Metallic Paint & Primer In One

Painter’s Tape

Cardboard or Newspaper

Step 1: Remove the inside glass, if possible. I was unable to remove the glass from the larger lime green frame on the right so I simply used painter's tape to cover it. Step 2: Lay out your Dollar Store photo frames on a flattened cardboard box or use newspaper on a flat surface.
Step 1: Remove the inside glass, if possible. I was unable to remove the glass from the larger lime green frame on the right so I simply used painter’s tape to cover it.
Step 2: Lay out your Dollar Store photo frames on a flattened cardboard box or use newspaper on a flat surface.

Step 3: Make sure you're working in a well ventilated area before spraying frames. If so, spray an even coat of your favorite color of metallic spray paint and primer in one. I LOVE this spray paint because it applies evenly and never requires a second coat. Easy!
Step 3: Make sure you’re working in a well ventilated area before spraying frames. If so, spray an even coat of your favorite color of metallic spray paint and primer in one. I LOVE this spray paint because it applies evenly and never requires a second coat. Easy!

Step 4: Allow your frames to dry completely before handling. These frames required 8 hours of total drying time. Step 5: Display your frames with antique books and favorite sitabouts on the fireplace mantel or on a tray upon your living room table.
Step 4: Allow your frames to dry completely before handling. These frames required 8 hours of total drying time.
Step 5: Display your frames with antique books and favorite sitabouts on the fireplace mantel or on a tray upon your living room table.

I prefer Rust-oleum’s metallic and hammered options of their paint and primer in one. It can be used on wood, metal, plastic, and brick. The best part of using this brand of paint? You can spray it continuously at any angle without the nozzle gooping up. (These frames were sprayed with the hue Aged Copper, which can be found at any big box hardware store.)

The frames pictured above only cost $4 and couldn’t have been easier to redo. They will look dynamite next to a few fall pumpkins and burlap on the mantel this season.

What DIY projects are you most proud of? Share your upcycled home decor tricks in the comments section below. I’d love to borrow your fun idea for my next project.

Signature ODL 170x70px

Filed Under: DIY, Lifestyle Tagged With: decoration, DIY, fall decor, glamorize, glamourize, picture frames, Rust-oleum, spray paint, upcycle

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Hello! I'm Vanessa. Welcome to One Delightful Life, a blog created to add more delight to your life with delicious recipes, travel destinations, and lifestyle improvement ideas. Thanks for exploring my blog!

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