Making a difference from a green perspective means thinking about consumption. What are you throwing away that you could be reusing? Why buy something new when the items you have are perfectly good? We Americans consume more of the world’s natural resources than most of the globe. It’s time to stop that behavior and start making a difference.
What this means is that the little things count. Our resources are used to create millions of small items - not one giant item. Little things that fill our lives every day like aluminum foil, plastics, boxes, toys, and clothes are all recyclable or reusable. Recycling ordinary things in a creative way can save valuable landfill space.
For example, I collect stationery boxes, using them to store memories and knick-knacks. Boxes can be reused for many reasons other than their original purpose – like gift boxes or travel kits. Another creative idea, and my favorite use of a stationery box, is the below purse I made for a holiday party.
HOW TO MAKE A PURSE FROM A STATIONERY BOX
Supplies:
One Attractive Stationery Box, String or Cord, Drill, and Glue or Hot Glue
Steps:
Step 1 – Clean box out and decide which should be the top of the “purse” and the bottom of the purse. Choose a drill bit for the drill that allows for the size of the string or cord being used.
Step 2 – Close box and drill four holes in the box bottom. If there is a lid, be sure that two holes are drilled directly through the lid and box while box is closed. Two more holes should be drilled equidistant from each other through the bottom of the box. See photo.
Step 3 – Drill two holes in the top of the purse to hold the purse “handle”. See photo.
Step 4 – If there is a lid, drill one hole in the top of the purse directly through the lid while the lid is open. Be sure to center the hole, it will be used for the purse closure knot. See above photo.
Step 5 – Drill one final hole parallel to the closure hole. This will be used to hold the closure loop. See above photo.
Step 6 – Cut string, feed through holes on the bottom of the box, and knot to form the “hinge” on the bottom of the purse. See below photo.
Step 7 – Cut string for handle. Be sure to measure the length you want - making it a long strap or short dependent on your requirements, then feed through two holes on top of the box, making knots on the interior.
Step 8 – Cut string for closure knot. Form into a thick knot. Feed end through top lid hole. Place a spot of glue on the interior of the lid, drop string end into glue, then close the lid for a moment to make sure the string will not block the box’s ability to close. See below photo.
Step 9 – Cut string for loop. Knot the bottom of the loop, then feed loop up through hole on top of purse.
Step
10 – Pull knots taught and dot glue on all interior knots to prevent
string from fraying and to hold the string in place. See photo of
interior of purse.
Step 11 – Let dry.
Next time an opportunity presents itself, please do not throw away a valuable resource. Instead, consider a creative way to reuse the little things in your life. They may be small, but are important resources for so many. Make a difference for our world today - every little bit counts.
Shawna Lee Coronado is an author, locally syndicated newspaper columnist, health, and greening expert focused on teaching and living a green lifestyle. She blogs on conservation, greening and health tips at www.gardeningnude.com. Information on her books and other media can be found at www.thecasualgardener.com.
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