Do you rush out to buy new things or have you learned the art of making do? My husband’s hometown is a village where thrift reigns. Where people have long been used to making do. The current trend toward simplicity and frugality is so normal to them, that they would ask “Is there any other way?”
I’m often amazed at their makeshift inventions. And their unusual, often ingenious, ways of reusing and upcycling. Some of the oddest containers used as plant pots. The strange objects used to make fences.
Nothing is wasted
Nothing, it seems, goes to waste but is reused for something. Still, I was surprised by the way an elderly paesana (townswoman) packaged a gift.
Some home-cured olives and an old juice bottle filled with wonderful extra, extra virgin olive oil straight from her trees. And who else but these delightful, thrifty people would present them in a plastic juice bottle and empty cookie bag, tied shut with a strip cut from durable plastic?
Not me! I’ve always thought of such things as trash, not reusable items!
She would undoubtedly be puzzled to learn she was being green. She probably didn’t even think of trash problems, or the environment. She just saw something that she could eventually find another use for, and thereby save herself a few pennies.
Make use of what you have
Unlike that Green Granny, we modern people often fail to make use of the things we already hold in our hands.
Many of us, while desiring to be greener, follow fads and trends. And instead of using what we have and making it work in some way, we often spend money unnecessarily.
I now realize that reusing these items is far better for the planet than recycling them. And it can save us a few pennies here and there. Now that’s being green and thrifty – at no extra cost!
3 Ways to reuse or repurpose:
Try these effortless ways to be like that thrifty, green granny!
1. 🧴 Repurpose Glass, plastic, and cardboard containers
Trying to buy things with little or no packaging is best. But if that’s not possible repurpose those containers to store food items, organize household items, or as plant pots!
2. ✉️ Reuse envelopes, paper, or greeting cards
Envelopes or the clean side of used paper make great grocery lists or to-do lists. And used greeting cards can be made into cute new greeting cards!
3. 🛍️ Reuse Paper and plastic bags
Switch to cloth or usable shopping bags. And if you must use paper or plastic, do like the Green Granny reuse them if possible.
I’m grateful for the granny’s lesson about going back to the old-fashioned ways of our grandparents.
Back to when the saying was: “Make do or do without.” Because it helps us appreciate what we already have, and learn to put to use the things we already have instead of rushing out to buy new things.
We need to get back to making do, reusing, repurposing, or sometimes just doing without. It can protect both our wallets and our planet!
Signora Sheila
Now before I throw anything away I ask myself, “Is it really trash, or could it be used at least once more?” That empty bread bag? Paper or plastic, I put it aside and use it to wrap my husband’s sandwich. If co-workers give him funny looks I say, “Tell them you’re protecting God’s creation!”
We try to buy our food with as little packaging as possible. And I also have some nifty, homemade sandwich bags that we use over and over. But thanks to Thrifty Granny, I now try to reuse my trash too!
Reusing or repurposing trash is really quite simple. It’s really just a matter of changing our mentality!
Do you repurpose trash, or does the idea seem crazy to you? If you do, share your ideas!
We have forgotten to be good guests, how to walk lightly on the earth as its other creatures do.
Barbara Ward
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