Tag Archives: recycling

Can You Cut Down on Paper?

I know there are a few people out there who have not given up on the dream of the “paperless” office. Even if you have found that you cannot cut out the use of paper entirely in your home business—are there ways you can cut back? The truth is, paper is getting increasingly expensive. It isn’t a cheap and easy resource or supply any longer and a little conservation may show up in your bottom line, as well as give you the satisfaction of knowing you are doing your part to help the environment. Maybe now is a good time … Continue reading →

Recycle This!

Are you ready for a few more simple tips anyone can use to help protect the environment? In a previous article, there was a tip offering a way to help stop wasting so much paper (and having so much paper clutter), by having more items sent via email instead of through the regular mail. Here are some more ways to avoid wasting paper: Guess what I’m doing right now? Well, besides typing this article. Okay, I am cutting up little pieces of paper. Yep. I’m cutting up all those notes sent home from school. At least one teacher tries to … Continue reading →

Home Week in Review: September 3 – 9

Another week has gone by and this has been Mary Ann’s first official week in the Home Blog. She’s written some great articles and I’m looking forward to more of them. Monday Organizing The Garage: Day 1, Part 1 Mary Ann gives her first hand experience with the “Clean Sweep” routine as she and her family tackle organizing the garage. Don’t miss part 2! Prepare your Yard for Autumn and beyond Tips for treating your yard, fall flowers, reseeding grass, how to treat your garden at the end of the season to help prepare it for next season, and other … Continue reading →

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

*“Use it up; wear it out; make it do, or do without!” ~L. Reid The above quote (*from WiseOldSayings.com) is filled with wisdom. This is the way people lived for many years. While technology can be fabulous and innovation does much to make our lives easier, we’ve become a very consumption oriented, “disposable” society. How many of us throw things away instead of re-using, recycling, or repairing them? As we begin to shift away from convenience and “disposability,” at least slightly, we’re learning more ways to make do, make things last longer, or find new ways to use things instead … Continue reading →

Letting Go of Old Office Supplies

Recently, I was chatting with another home-business, work-from-home person and she confessed that she had a closet full of antiquated office supplies–paper, and old fax machine, a computer printer that takes that old paper with the holes along the side–we’re talking old, out-dated, and never going to be used again stuff. I am all for thrift and careful consideration of resources and expense when it comes to business operations–but it is time to let that old stuff go! The fact is–even office supplies can become too old. You may not know it, but paper absorbs moisture and can become unusable … Continue reading →

Why Home Businesses Are Good for the Environment

I read an article this morning in my newspaper stating that the number one thing people can do to help combat global warming is to drive less. I immediately thought of how those of us who work from home–whether running a home-based business or telecommuting–are definitely doing our part to help the environment! Minimizing travel and commuting, as well as energy and fuel costs, is one of the main ways that a home-based business can be good for the environment in the short and long term. Who knew? Unless our business involve a great deal of driving and delivery, we … Continue reading →

Creative Uses for Thrift Store Finds

Shopping the thrift stores is a great way to find plenty of bargains for the things you need, such as baby clothes, toys and household items, but did you know that there is a treasure trove of things that can be used in creative ways to save even more? Sometimes thrift store finds that cost as little as a dime can be used as a substitute or an improvement for something you may normally buy new. We’ve all heard of shabby chic, but there is nothing shabby about the following ideas. Scarves are plentiful at my local thrift stores. I … Continue reading →

Is the “Paperless Office” Possible?

Remember back a few years ago when the promise of the “paperless” office was all the rage? We were being told from every newspaper, magazine and television report that with the advent of the personal computer and the internet, that paper would become obsolete and we would be able to work in a “paperless” world. Well, how’ s it going? Has your world turned paperless or are you still using plenty of the white stuff to take care of daily operations? I have to say that in my home business and with my own personal business matters–including finances and bill-paying, … Continue reading →

Make a Doormat from Plastic Grocery Bags

What a great way to recycle something to get more use out of it before throwing it away. Making a doormat from plastic grocery bags will not only help you re-use things you have, it will protect your flooring from dirt that would otherwise get tracked inside. Even if you already have a doormat, these work great on especially wet or muddy days. You can simply toss them once they have served their purpose. You will need lots of bags for this project, but if you collect them like I do, you probably have plenty. You can use bags that … Continue reading →

Recycling: Make Useful Household Items

What keeps us from re-using items before finally sending them off for recycling? Nothing. We can make useful household items from recyclable goods and save money at the same time. Here are some simple, useful ideas: Disposable Dishes If you’re leaving on a trip and don’t want to leave dirty dishes behind or take the time to wash up, cut the bottoms from soda bottles or other containers ahead of time and use them for disposable cereal bowls. When finished eating, rinse and toss in the recycling bin on your way out. Funnels Cut the tops off 20 oz. soda … Continue reading →