Reuse: May 2008 Archives

Dave writes: "Put a bucket under your shower and collect the water that would otherwise be going down the drain as you wait for the hot water to make it through the pipes. Then, take the bucket full of clean water and pour it in your washing machine. At week's end, you'll have saved your washing machine from having to fill up its first tank full!"

Another use for this otherwise wasted water is to save it to water houseplants, although its best to let it sit in the watering can for a little while so that chlorine and other chemicals introduced through municipal water purification can evaporate.

Packing a lunch saves time and money, but its also been shown that people tend to eat healthier food in more appropriate portions when they pack what they have prepared at home. Invest in a few good pieces of Tupperware or other reusable food container so that you avoid sending a lot of plastic bags and paper cups to the trash bin!