Search

Done with Barbie? How to reuse or recycle old dolls

Bright pink clothing has been a hot item at a number of Brotherhood of St Laurence (BSL) op shops as movie-goers doll up to see Greta Gerwig’s Barbie. <div class="copy"> Kelly McMurray, an area store manager for BSL, says “a lot of 18 – 35 year old women have been coming in to get outfits for premier parties. “It’s been really fun helping people to find their outfits!” The movie has set off a global Barbiecore mania, pinkifying everything and <a href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/barbie-movies-potential-500-million-haul-could-have-huge-implications-for-mattel-123756476.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">driving demand</a> for more plastic dolls and toy company merchandise. Even before the movie, the global population of Barbies was growing by <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/people/barbie-science/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">around 100 new dolls every minute</a>. Which begs the question: what to do with all those dolls once the gloss of the movie ultimately wears off? For toys still in good condition, reusing them by donating to friends or op shops is an obvious first choice. “Our stores do receive a lot of toys every year,” McMurray says. “The peak of our toy donations would be in the New Year and the second week of every school holidays – when people have either been gifted new toys (after Christmas) and when they have had time to do a clean out – hence the second week of school holidays.” For those seeking a more sustainable supply of Barbie dolls, accessories or merchandise, McMurray suggests visiting one of the bigger BSL stores, as those tend to receive the bulk of toy donations. In Melbourne, the Deer Park op shop has two large sections dedicated to kids toys and clothes, while the Belmont store has been receiving – and selling – a lot of Barbie DVDs. When donating Barbies, or any kind of doll or toy, McMurray says people need to really consider if the toy is in a suitable condition, and isn’t missing any body parts. “A little wear and tear is ok. But if people have any doubts about it – best not to include it in their donations.” For those ‘weird Barbies’ past the point of no return, recycling is the next best option. Research by retailer Flora & Fauna suggests Australians send <a href="https://giftguideonline.com.au/flora-fauna-launches-upcycled-toys-christmas-initiative/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">26.8 million toys</a> to landfill every year. Plastic toys are considered harder to recycle than many regular household items, and can not be put in kerbside recycling bins. <iframe title="Think Pink: The Science of Barbie" src="https://omny.fm/shows/huh-science-explained/think-pink-the-science-of-barbie/embed?in_playlist=podcast&style=Cover" width="100%" height="180" frameborder="0"></iframe> Global recycling company TerraCycle offers a toy recycling program for worn out and broken toys in partnership with department store Big W. It’s called ‘Toys for Joy’. Marina Antoniozzi, TerraCycle’s head of operations, says the initiative saw over 18 tonnes of old toys collected in the first year of trial operations in 2021. The program has now collected well over 160 tonnes of toys, she says. “The majority of toys are not kerbside recyclable due to the complex nature of their composition. Toys are frequently made up of several materials including different types of plastics and metals, which means they need to be manually sorted and separated,” Antoniozzi says. The recycling company partners with toy brands and retailers because the cost to collect and process the material is usually more than the value of raw material produced through the recycling process. In Barbie’s case, the doll is made up of a <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/people/culture/plastic-artefact-what-is-barbie-even-made-of/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">complex mix of different types of plastics</a>. According to a <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/14/20/4287" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study by Italian researchers</a> early dolls made between 1959 and 1976 comprised a complex mix of different <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/science/explainer-what-is-a-polymer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">polymers</a>: polyvinyl chloride faces and legs; hair from polyvinylidene dichloride; and torsos made from low-density polyethylene. More <a href="http://www.designlife-cycle.com/barbie-dolls" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">modern dolls</a> have arms of ethylene-vinyl acetate (also used in thongs, and frozen food packaging), torsos of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (also found in Lego), legs from polypropylene, and heads made of hard vinyl (like the kind used in vinyl records). Once collected, the toys sent to TerraCycle for recycling are checked in at TerraCycle’s Materials Recovery Facility where they are manually sorted, separated into individual material streams and prepared for processing. Antoniozzi says that in Australia, TerraCycle processes Barbie dolls and accessories along with other hard plastic toys. These are sent to recycling facilities to be shredded and cleaned. Residual metals are removed using magnets in a process called eddy current separation. The plastics are then sorted into different types using technologies like near infrared, a spectroscopy technique used for analysing and differentiating between polymers. Afterwards, the separated, shredded plastics go through a melting and extrusion process producing recycled plastic pellets, used by manufacturers to make a variety of products. So, when Barbie goes to the recycling plant, she will ultimately be sorted, shredded, melted and turned into plastic pellets. Antoniozzi says donating toys is a good first option. “But if your Barbie is genuinely beyond repair, then you can take her, Ken, Sandy, as well as all her horses, buses, apartments and accessories along to your local BIG W store and give her a second life through the Toys for Joy recycling program,” she says. “Who knows… she may come back to you as a flower pot.” Image credits: Shutterstock  <img id="cosmos-post-tracker" style="opacity: 0; height: 1px!important; width: 1px!important; border: 0!important; position: absolute!important; z-index: -1!important;" src="https://syndication.cosmosmagazine.com/?id=258208&title=Done+with+Barbie%3F+How+to+reuse+or+recycle+old+dolls" width="1" height="1" data-spai-target="src" data-spai-orig="" data-spai-exclude="nocdn" /><a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/earth/sustainability/done-with-barbie-how-to-reuse-or-recycle-old-dolls/">This article</a> was originally published on <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com">Cosmos Magazine</a> and was written by <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/contributor/petra-stock/">Petra Stock</a>. </div>

Home & Garden

Clever ways to reuse dryer lint around the house

<h2>Start a fire</h2> Dryer lint is flammable, which is why we’re urged to clean out the trap after each load of laundry. Collect it in a sealed jar to use as tinder the next time you start a fire in your backyard fire pit. For a self-contained fire starter, stuff cardboard toilet paper rolls with lint. <h2>Use as mulch</h2> You can add dryer lint as a mulch around potted plants as long as you’re not using dryer sheets, which may leave an unwanted chemical residue. <h2>Prevent erosion</h2> When spread out and dampened with water, dryer lint can form a barrier to protect soil from erosion. If you don’t like the look of soggy lint, use the lint as an under-layer and cover with decorative stones. <h2>Discourage weeds</h2> Just like a thick layer of lint can prevent erosion, a base of dryer lint can prevent weeds as well. Use it as a substitute for landscape fabric and top with a decorative mulch. <h2>Add to compost</h2> Lint from natural fibres like cotton and wool is biodegradable, so you can add it to the compost pile as a source of carbon. <h2>Oil down tools</h2> Use a clump of dryer lint to apply linseed oil to wooden-handle tools to keep them from cracking, and to metal parts (after cleaning) to keep them from rusting. Then toss the lint in the garbage. <h2>Line garden containers</h2> Line the bottom of a plant pot with dryer lint to keep soil from spilling out the drainage hole. The lint layer will also act as a blotter, soaking up extra moisture and making it available for the roots later. This container gardening tip is not recommended for cacti, succulents and other plants that like soil on the dry side. <h2>Soak up spills</h2> Keep a jar of dryer lint in the garage to use when you need to soak up oil spills. Image credit: Shutterstock This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/diy-tips/clever-ways-to-reuse-dryer-lint-around-the-house" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.

Home Hints & Tips

Recycling plastic bottles is good but reusing them is better

Last week <a href="https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/retail/woolworths-to-be-first-in-australia-with-zerowaste-food-delivery-system/news-story/8fb2f4018a2b0d25a63c58ba8b12a19b#.mo33b">Woolworths announced</a> a new food delivery system, in collaboration with US company TerraCycle, that delivers grocery essentials in reusable packaging. The system, called Loop, lets shoppers buy products from common supermarket brands in reusable packaging. As Australia works out how to meet the national packaging target for 100% of Australian packaging to be <a href="http://www.joshfrydenberg.com.au/guest/mediaReleasesDetails.aspx?id=562">recyclable, compostable or reusable by 2025</a>, programs like this offer an opportunity to overhaul how plastic packaging is produced, used and recycled. Recycling alone is not the silver bullet Plastic packaging, most of which is for <a href="https://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/resources/3f275bb3-218f-4a3d-ae1d-424ff4cc52cd/files/australian-plastics-recycling-survey-report-2017-18.pdf">food and beverages</a>, is the fastest growing category of plastic use. In Australia <a href="https://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/resources/3f275bb3-218f-4a3d-ae1d-424ff4cc52cd/files/australian-plastics-recycling-survey-report-2017-18.pdf">less than 10%</a> of this plastic packaging is recycled, compared with 70% for paper and cardboard packaging. Of the <a href="http://www.sita.com.au/media/publications/02342_Plastics_Identification_Code.pdf">seven categories of plastic</a>, recycling of water bottles (PET) and milk bottles (HDPA) is most effective, yet recycling rates remain relatively low, around 30%. Other hard plastics (PVC, PS) and soft or flexible plastics, such as clingfilm and plastic bags, present significant challenges for recyclers. In the case of soft plastics, although recycling options are available, the use of additives known as plasticisers – used to make the hard plastic soft and malleable – often make products <a href="https://www.packagingcovenant.org.au/documents/item/2179">recycled out of soft plastics</a> weak, non-durable, and unable to be recycled further. <a href="https://theconversation.com/we-cant-recycle-our-way-to-zero-waste-78598">Some researchers</a> argue recycling actually represents a <a href="http://www.greenlifestylemag.com.au/features/2936/disposable-drink-bottles-plastic-vs-glass-vs-aluminium">downgrading process</a>, as plastic packaging is not always recycled into new packaging, owing to contamination or diminished quality. Even where single-use plastic packaging can be effectively recycled, it often isn’t. The more single-use plastics that are produced, the higher the chance they will enter the ocean and other environments where their <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2017-02-27/plastic-and-plastic-waste-explained/8301316">plasticiser chemicals leach out</a>, harming wildlife populations and the humans who depend on them. Zero Waste Europe recently updated its <a href="https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/your-environment/recycling-and-reuse/warr-strategy/the-waste-hierarchy">Waste Hierarchy</a> to emphasise avoiding packaging in the first instance, and to encourage reuse over recycling. <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/299986/original/file-20191103-88399-1hlgzdg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/299986/original/file-20191103-88399-1hlgzdg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="" /></a> The zero waste hierarchy for a circular economy. <a href="https://zerowasteeurope.eu/2019/05/a-zero-waste-hierarchy-for-europe/" class="source">Zero Waste Europe</a> Getting reuse right For a reusable product to be more environmentally sustainable than a single-use product, it must promote the use of less energy and resources in our daily routines. Although the uptake of products such as reusable cups and shopping bags have increased, these types of reusable items have attracted criticism. If used correctly, these products represent a positive change. However, <a href="https://theconversation.com/heres-how-many-times-you-actually-need-to-reuse-your-shopping-bags-101097">some research suggests</a> these products can be less sustainable than the single-use items they are replacing if people treat them like disposable items and do not reuse them enough. For example, if you regularly buy new reusable bags at the supermarket, that potentially has a greater environmental impact than using “single-use” plastic bags. To really reduce plastic packaging, we need to find ways to alter the routines that involve plastic packaging, rather than directly substituting individual products (such as reusable bags for single-use ones). Developing new reusable packaging systems Redesigning ubiquitous plastic packaging means understanding why it is so useful. For food packaging, its functions might include: <ol> <li> allowing food to travel from producer to consumer while maintaining its freshness and form </li> <li> enabling the food to be kept on a shelf for an extended period of time without becoming inedible </li> <li> allowing the brand to display various nutritional information, branding and other product claims. </li> </ol> So how might these functions be met without disposable plastic packaging? <a href="https://loopstore.com/how-it-works">TerraCycle Loop</a>, the business model that Woolworths has announced it will partner with, is currently also trialling services in the United States and France. They have partnered with postal services and large food and personal care brands including Unilever, Procter & Gamble, Clorox, Nestlé, Mars, Coca-Cola, and PepsiCo. Customers order products online, from ice-cream to juice and shampoo, with a small container deposit. These items are delivered to their house, and collected again with the next delivery. The containers are washed and taken back to the manufacturers for refill. The major participating brands have all redesigned their packaging to participate in the program. <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/299987/original/file-20191103-88403-1n63f5v.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/299987/original/file-20191103-88403-1n63f5v.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="" /></a> TerraCycle Loop reusable packaging. <a href="https://loopstore.com/how-it-works" class="source">TerraCycle Loop</a> This model works because it is not replacing products one-for-one, but creating a new product system to allow people to easily integrate reuse into their daily routines. We can examine the function of single use plastic packaging in takeaway food in a similar way. The purpose of takeaway food packaging is to let us enjoy a meal at home or on the move without having to cook it ourselves or sit in a restaurant. So how might these functions be achieved without disposable packaging? Australian company <a href="https://returnr.org/">RETURNR</a> has addressed this with a system in which cafes partner with food delivery services. Customers buy food in a RETURNR container, pay a deposit with the cost of their meal, and then return the container to any cafe in the network. The Kickstarter campaign <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/zeroco/zero-co-win-the-war-on-waste-at-your-place">Zero Co</a>, is offering a similar model for a resuse service that covers kitchen, laundry and bathroom products. Making reuse <a href="https://www.uts.edu.au/research-and-teaching/our-research/institute-sustainable-futures/news/developing-alternatives">easy and convenient</a> is crucial to the success of these systems. If Australia is to meet our national packaging targets, we need to prioritise the elimination of unnecessary packaging. Although recycling is likely to remain crucial to keeping plastic waste out of landfill in the near future, it should only be pursued when options higher up the waste hierarchy – such as reuse – have been ruled out.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/126339/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rachael-wakefield-rann-321286">Rachael Wakefield-Rann</a>, Research Consultant, Institute for Sustainable Futures, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-technology-sydney-936">University of Technology Sydney</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jenni-downes-12549">Jenni Downes</a>, Research Fellow, BehaviourWorks Australia (Monash Sustainable Development Institute), <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nick-florin-160370">Nick Florin</a>, Research Director, Institute for Sustainable Futures, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-technology-sydney-936">University of Technology Sydney</a> This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/recycling-plastic-bottles-is-good-but-reusing-them-is-better-126339">original article</a>.

Technology

Australia’s very own royal is back! Princess Mary steals the show in reused frock

Denmark’s Crown Princess Mary was a picture of elegance, beauty and class for her first royal engagement since returning from her summer holiday with her family. The royal member has come back to a long list of special engagement and carried out two in Copenhagen. The 47-year-old debuted for a charity event under her name, The Mary Organisation, which focussed on the social exclusion. Princess Mary has long championed against the dire need to include members of society at risk of isolation. The Tasmanian-born royal spoke about the risk that vulnerable people who are lonely are under. She also noted the same people who are at risk of isolation show signs of wanting to enjoy a meaningful life, but are facing the challenge of finding employment due to the recent labor market shortages. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B1oh1lxHzzE/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B1oh1lxHzzE/" target="_blank">A post shared by Fanpage of CPMary (@crownprincess_mary_ofdenmark)</a> on Aug 26, 2019 at 9:06am PDT </div> </blockquote> While there, the royal was snapped wearing a recycled H&M dress from the Conscious Collection, which uses all recycled and organic materials to make their garments. The frock is made of organic silk and was last available for purchase for the cost of $99. Princess Mary first wore the dress in May. Scroll through the gallery above to see the Princess Mary’s outfit.

Body

Here’s how many times you actually need to reuse your shopping bags

Trevor Thornton is a Lecturer at the School of Life and Environmental Sciences at Deakin University. The plastic bag ban by the major supermarkets (and Coles’ pivot <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-coles-plastic-bag-backflip-leaves-us-worse-off-than-before-100891">away from its ban after backlash</a>, then pivot <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/coles-flips-again-on-plastic-bag-ban-puts-end-date-on-freebies-20180802-p4zv13.html">back to the ban after a backlash to the backlash</a>) has left plenty of people scratching their heads. What are the best replacements for single-use plastic bags? Given that reusable bags are much sturdier, how many times must we use them to compensate for their larger environmental impact? The simple answer is that there is no simple answer. However, a kind of research called “life cycle assessment” can help us work out the impact of common types of reusable bags. Life cycle assessments I am not aware of any Australian studies of plastic-bag substitutes. Research conducted overseas can offer a basic guide. Life cycle assessments consider a <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/267980535_LIFE_CYCLE_ASSESSMENT_OF_SUPERMARKET_CARRIER_BAGS_AND_OPPORTUNITY_OF_BIOPLASTICS">wide range</a> of factors, including raw materials, manufacturing, transport, and eventual disposal. Looking at all of these elements, researchers calculate greenhouse gas emissions, waste disposal, water and energy consumption and a variety of other impacts. To complicate the decision further, if you choose a plastic bag, is it made from virgin resin or from recycled plastic? Even if the bag is recycled, transport is an issue – where was it made? Printing on the bag also adds to the environmental burden. Finally, what happens to the bags when they can no longer meet their purpose? Are they recycled, reused as bin liners, or thrown away immediately? How many times must a bag be reused? Once all of this information has been distilled, scientists can usually offer a fairly straightforward guide: the number of times a given bag should be reused when compared to the standard supermarket plastic bag. A <a href="https://www2.mst.dk/Udgiv/publications/2018/02/978-87-93614-73-4.pdf">2018 Danish study</a>, looking at the number of times a bag should be reused before being used as a bin liner and then discarded, found that: <ul> <li>polypropylene bags (most of the green reusable bags found at supermarkets) should be used 37 times</li> <li>paper bags should be used 43 times</li> <li>cotton bags should be used 7,100 times.</li> </ul> Another <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/291023/scho0711buan-e-e.pdf">UK study</a>, which only considered the climate change impact, found that to have lower global warming potential than single-use plastic bags: <ul> <li>paper bags should be used three times</li> <li>low-density polyethylene bags (the thicker plastic bags commonly used in supermarkets) should be used four times</li> <li>non-woven polypropylene bags should be used 11 times</li> <li>cotton bags should be used 131 times.</li> </ul> Note, however, that if a plastic bag is reused (even as a bin liner) the number of times an alternative needs to be used increases. It’s worth noting that, according to the 2018 Danish study, using organic cotton has a greater environmental impact than non-organic due to higher production costs. Our assumptions about what is environmentally friendly don’t always stand up to scrutiny. A <a href="https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1006&context=cudp_environment">2014 study in the United States</a> found that reusable LDPE and polypropylene bags do have a lower environmental impact than the usual plastic bags found in supermarkets – but only if they are reused enough times. This study found that about 40% of shoppers forgot to bring their reusable bags and therefore end up using the plastic bags. This then adds to the environmental burden of shopping. One final consideration is how many bags you need. The Danish researchers equalised the volume of the bags so that evaluations were made on the same volume of space (this meant that for some assessments it was necessary to consider the impact of two bags). As with all matters environmental, it’s essential that we have the right knowledge to make informed decisions. After looking at all this data, here are the things I’d like you to remember: <ol> <li>whatever bag type you use, use it as many times as possible</li> <li>choose bags made from recyclable materials</li> <li>avoid bags that have printing or decorations – these alone can add significantly to the environmental burden of the bag</li> <li>never allow a bag to become litter – recycle, reuse and repurpose your bags.</li> </ol> Written by Trevor Thornton. Republished with permission of <a href="https://theconversation.com/heres-how-many-times-you-actually-need-to-reuse-your-shopping-bags-101097">The Conversation.</a>

News

8 genius ways to reuse common household items

Sometimes it can feel like half of your household items aren't being put to good use. Make the most of the bits and bobs lying around your house and give new life to unused household equipment by following these eight tips: 1. Empty tissue box Rather than throwing it out, give it new life as a <a href="https://www.littlethings.com/good-way-to-store-plastic-bags/" target="_blank">plastic bag dispenser</a>. Simply fold the bags so that the handles are able to poke through the hole in the top and you can say goodbye to your unbearably messy plastic bag cupboard. 2. Straws Jewellery lovers rejoice. We've finally found a way to stop your necklaces from getting tangled for good: thread them through unused straws. It might not be the best look in the world, especially if you like to display your jewellery, but it's the ideal choice if you hate disentangling your necklaces every time you want to wear them. 3. Paper plates Do you still have paper plates leftover from your last summer BBQ? Put the excess plates between your non-stick pans to reduce the chances of them getting scratched while in storage. 4. Picture frame Give your old picture frames a new lease on life by replacing the picture with a piece of coloured paper to create a DIY vanity tray. <img width="500" height="599" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/39932/reuse2_500x599.jpg" alt="Reuse2"/> 5. Napkin holder For most people, the only time the napkin holder comes out is for dinner parties and Christmas. Let it earn its keep by replacing the napkins with bills and other correspondence and voila – your life has suddenly become a lot more organised. 6. Rubber bands Put an end to wide-necked tops, camisoles and other slippery garments falling off your coat hanger by wrapping the ends with rubber bands. <img width="498" height="550" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/39931/resuse1_498x550.jpg" alt="Resuse1"/> 7. Coffee filter You might want to think twice before you throw out your excess coffee filters. These little pieces of disposable paper make ideal mirror or glass cleaners as they don't leave lint or residue. 8. CD holder The switch to digital music consumption has transformed CDs (and the accessories that go with them) into historical artefacts. Rather than allowing your old CD storage rack to gather dust, move it from the attic to the kitchen and use it to store plastic lids in your tupperware draw. Written by Natalia Didovich. First appeared on <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank">Stuff.co.nz.</a> To find your home essentials <a href="https://shop.oversixty.com.au/?utm_source=over60&utm_campaign=Over60Shop&utm_medium=in-article-link-o60shop&utm_content=over60-shop" target="_blank">head to the Over60 Shop for high-quality offerings.</a> <a href="https://shop.oversixty.com.au/collections/living?utm_source=Over60&utm_medium=in-article-banner-living&utm_campaign=Over60Shop&utm_content=over60-shop" target="_blank"><img src="http://media.oversixty.com.au/images/EditorialAddon/201706_Shopnow_EditorialAddon_468x60_Living.jpg" alt="Over60 Shop - Living Range"/></a>

Home & Garden

7 ways to reuse vintage handkerchiefs

If you own vintage handkerchiefs, chances are you have an array of beautiful colours that incorporate embroidery craftsmanship. Rather than letting your vintage handkerchiefs stay hidden away, or worst throwing them away, repurpose them by trying one of the craft activities in the gallery above. Not only can you reuse your handkerchiefs to add some elegant décor to your home but you can also transform them into practical items that you can use every day. How do you reuse old handkerchiefs? Let us know in the comments below.

Home & Garden

Great ways to reuse mason jars

Mason jars can be turned into just about anything, it seems. Here are seven clever ways to repurpose your old mason jars. Salt holder – After your cylinder-shaped salt container is empty, use its lid to screw under a mason jar top to create a convenient spice dispenser. <img width="499" height="645" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/9606/salt-shaker_499x645.jpg" alt="Salt Shaker" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/> Photo source: <a href="/%20http:/sherisilver.com/" target="_blank">Sheri Silver</a> Shaker – Apply the top of a parmesan cheese container to your jar to create a more aesthetically pleasing mason jar shaker. Fill with more parmesan, powdered sugar, and so on. Cocktail shaker – Drill holes in the lid of one mason jar while keeping another intact. Use the jar as a cocktail shaker and switch to the one with holes to strain your drink. <img width="498" height="680" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/9607/cocktail-shaker_498x680.jpg" alt="Cocktail Shaker" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/> Photo source: <a href="/%20http:/frockfiles.com/" target="_blank">Frock Files</a> Candle – Melt your old candles and pour them into a mason jar (with a new wick installed) to create a brand new candle. Terrarium – Fill your jar with pretty stones, dirt and moss to create a cute moss terrarium. <img width="500" height="749" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/9608/terrarium_500x749.jpg" alt="Terrarium" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/> Photo source: <a href="http://parentpretty.com/" target="_blank">Parent Pretty </a><a href="http://parentpretty.com/"> </a> Salad holder – Premake a salad (sans dressing) and toss it in a mason jar. Secure the lid and store in the fridge. They’ll stay longer this way than in a bowl. Tiki torches – Drill a large hole in the top of a mason jar lid. Fit a torch wick through it, fill with oil, and light the night with your mason jar tiki torches. <img width="500" height="699" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/9609/tiki-torches_500x699.jpg" alt="Tiki Torches" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/> Photo source: <a href="/%20http:/thefrugalhomemaker.com/" target="_blank">The Frugal Homemaker</a> Related links: <a href="/lifestyle/at-home/2015/08/how-to-maximise-a-small-bathroom/">4 ways to maximise a small bathroom</a> <a href="/lifestyle/at-home/2015/08/home-cleaning-tricks/">12 cleaning tricks for hard-to-clean areas around the home</a> <a href="/lifestyle/at-home/2015/08/dinners-in-freezer/">Tips on stocking your freezer full of easy dinners</a>

Home & Garden

How to reuse broken china to make lovely decor

It’s awful hearing the sound of your favourite plate or cup smashing on the floor, but don’t despair. Instead of tossing them in the bin, repurpose them into unique mosaics that can add a touch of personalised glamour to your home. Watering can <img width="498" height="410" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7355/3_498x410.jpg" alt="3 (19)" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/> Use a classic pattern to create a fun mosaic watering can that can work as a vase on your windowsill. Bedside table To add a splash of colour to a small table, create a mosaic top using an appropriate colour for your bedroom. It really works well next to the plain dark wood. Birdbath <img width="500" height="753" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7351/1_500x753.jpg" alt="1 (21)" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/> Turn a plain birdbath into a centerpiece by choosing a flower pattern for your mosaic. Use white grout to hold your design in place. Planter box If you’ve got a jug or pot with a broken handle or rim, use it as a planter box in your garden instead. House number <img width="500" height="333" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7349/2_500x333.jpg" alt="2 (23)" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/> For a unique way to signpost your house number, use an antique platter as the base for your design. Simple use a hot glue gun to stencil on the numbers. Cake stand A way to make the most of unused (not broken) china is to turn it into a tiered cake stand. Perfect for holding cakes and sweets, this is sure to be a talking point. Flower Pot <img width="500" height="500" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7348/4_500x500.jpg" alt="4 (19)" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/> Grab some tile adhesive to stick your broken china onto a plain flower pot. Choose colourful or flower-themed pieces to work with your garden. Flower vases A beer or wine bottle can be turned into a simple mosaic vase to complement your home decor. Photo sources: PracticalPages, TheMosaicButterfly, L'Von Qualls & 2ndTimeAroundMosaics Related links: <a href="/lifestyle/diy/2015/07/diy-feature-wall/">DIY scalloped feature wall</a> <a href="/lifestyle/diy/2015/07/wine-cork-projects/">3 fun crafty things to do with wine corks</a> <a href="/lifestyle/diy/2015/07/great-home-diy-tips/%20">Reinvent your home with just a bucket of dye and oodles of imagination</a>

Home & Garden

How to reuse, recycle and save money!

Many of us are becoming increasingly aware of our impact on the planet and consciously looking at ways we can do our bit to help preserve the environment for future generations.It doesn’t take much of a change in habits to make a difference. The following are a few simple, practical tips to not only get more value out of things but also do the right thing by the environment. And save a few pennies too!Buying<ul><li>Buy products with minimal packaging and recycle packaging where possible.</li><li>Choose the concentrated or refillable form of products like juices and cleaning products.</li><li>Choose durable and reusable items and packaging rather than disposable ones.</li><li>Buy products made from recycled materials and second-hand products.</li><li>Use rechargeable batteries rather than single-use batteries and check with your local council about how to dispose of them properly.</li></ul>Recycling<ul><li>Use a lightweight personal shopping trolley or reusable shopping bags instead of plastic bags. Keep them handy in the boot of your car.</li><li>Reuse your plastic bags and look for products that can be reused many times.</li><li>As well as separating out your glass, paper and plastics, check with your local council or authority to find what and where you can recycle. Just recycling paper and containers reduces waste to landfill by up to 27%. There are also collection programs for <a href="http://www.ewaste.com.au/about-1800ewaste/">electronic waste</a> (i.e. old computers, mobile phones and fridges), <a href="http://recyclingnearyou.com.au/">chemical waste</a> and car batteries.</li><li>Carry your own water bottle or reuse water bottles.</li><li>Recycle kitchen and garden scraps, which can make up almost 50 percent of garbage, as compost. Then look at getting a compost bin or worm farm and separating composting matter from other rubbish – perfect garden food!</li><li>Hold a garage sale or use online sites like eBay and craigslist to sell stuff.</li><li>Donate unwanted clothing, furniture and white goods to charities.</li><li>Find out if goods can be repaired rather than replaced.</li><li>Get involved in local school and community recycling schemes.</li><li>Use glass bottles and jars, plastic bags, aluminium foil and take away food containers over and over again before recycling or disposing of them.</li><li>Carry lunches in a reusable container rather than disposable wrappings.</li></ul>Ever little bit counts, and by being more conscious of your shopping and waste habits, you could become the best recycler on your street. And that’s how we can make a real difference to the environment and the future of our kids and grandkids. So start today for a cleaner, healthier tomorrow.

Money & Banking

How to reuse, recycle and save money!

Money & Banking

Our Partners

Over 60

News

Shop

Catalogues

Newspaper

Contests

Entertainment

Travel

Health

Lifestyle

Finance

Property

Compare

Games

Information

Keep up to date

Search

Done with Barbie? How to reuse or recycle old dolls

Clever ways to reuse dryer lint around the house

Recycling plastic bottles is good but reusing them is better

Australia’s very own royal is back! Princess Mary steals the show in reused frock

Here’s how many times you actually need to reuse your shopping bags