Ideas for Re-Using What You Have

• Save those beautiful biscuit tins and boxes omiyage comes in.
• Use both sides of paper before recycling. Make double sided photocopies where possible.
• Throw vegetable scraps in a compost bin to make nutritious mulch for your garden.
• Providing you do not use too much salt when cooking reuse water used for boiling vegies by throwing in your garden or in your potplants (after it has cooled of course!)
• The paper that photocopying paper is wrapped in is great for wrapping overseas parcels.
• Save all that excess wrapping that gifts or electric items come in and reuse when wrapping gifts.
• Use washable, reusable cutlery and not disposable chopsticks, plates etc.
• Reuse bath water when your do your laundry (scoop up the water and tip in washing machine, a bit arduous granted, but economical).
• Turn those wretched junk mailouts into beautiful origami creations or use them to wrap garbage in.
• Make paper mache daruma dolls out of recycled paper.
• Reuse the colourful plastic packets lollies come in by converting them into reusable, waterproof envelopes! Write the address on a piece of paper (make sure it is large enough to accommodate any stamps the post office may need to add) and tape it to the back of the plastic packet. You can write your (return) address on a smaller piece of paper and tape to the front of the packet (i.e. the back of the envelope).
• Reuse envelopes - stick a new label over the old address. Keep an eye on the scrap paper basket in your office (most offices have their paper set aside for recycling) often you will find reusable envelopes here. Some schools have a special tray for used envelopes. Encourage your teachers to do this if they don't.
• Wash out those used o-bento boxes and fill them with Japanese goodies (there are plenty around that are small enough) to send home as a souvenir from Japan. The boxes are light and sturdy, perfect for mailing.

See other ideas for reusing common objects on Reuse Common Household Items from A to Z.