Fun and Easy Upcycling Project to do with the Kids

Last week I wrote up a post on the new Terracycle Brigades and added some coupon links for you to get started. These Brigades are incredible. Through them, TerraCycle and its sponsors help schools or other community groups raise money for a charitable organization of the collector’s choice, which can include your child's school. Participation is free and all shipping costs are paid. To date, over 1.8 million units of waste have been diverted from landfill. Plus TerraCycle and its sponsors paid over $800,000 dollars to over 50,000 schools or non-profits. To see the full range of items TerraCycle collects and pays for, visit www.terracycle.net.

Emily of Terracycle shared a really cool upcycling DIY which Kara of Ramblings of a Marine Wife did a post on you can do with your kidlets. Here is Kara's idea on how to take some of your own trash to make a wallet:

Food Wrapper Wallet

(click here for full template)

Materials:
1 clean, empty food package (at least 7 inches by 5 1/2 inches in size)
1 ruler
1 pen
1 pair of scissors
tape
1 self-adhesive Velcro fastener

Directions:
1. Cut a rectangle that is 7 inches by 5 1/2 inches in the package. Centered inside the rectangle, draw a smaller rectangle that is 4 inches by 2 1/2 inches. This smaller rectangle will be 1 1/2 inches from each edge.

2. From the top edge of the smaller rectangle, draw a semicircle that intersects with the top of the large rectangle and the corners of the small rectangle. Repeat for the other three sides. Cut around these lines.

3. Fold in all four semicircles so your cut piece folds up to the size of the small rectangle. Tape the bottom flap and two side flaps in place.

4. Attach one side of the Velcro fastener on the inside of the top flap. Fold down the flap so the other side of the Velcro attaches to the outside of the bottom flap.

If you'd like to join or start your own TerraCycle Brigade, go to www.terracycle.net.

Keep up with the freebies, coupons and deals by subscribing to My NCTriangle Mommy today! You can also follow me on facebook and twitter. Thanks for visiting.

Garage Sales: Recycling Fun

MyCityMommy did a Twitter Party last night! It was a ton of fun and lots of great tips on organizing coupons, the best way to use them, and more were shared.

A few of the r.s.v.p. questions had to do with the best way to find garage sales aside from Craigslist. With the power of social media, many more options for finding garage sales, ways to sell your unwanted items, and finding new treasures have opened up.

Here is a list I put together for you with garage sales and other ways to buy and sell items, including yard sales which have become huge annual events.

Garage Sale Listings on Twitter
(and on the web and facebook too!)

@AtlantaYardSale

Atlanta Yard Sale
(links to Craigslist)

@STLGarageSale
STL Garage Sale

@garagesalemobile
Garage Sale Mobile
Check out their blog here too!
(California)

@hwy60yardsale
Highway 60 Yard Sale
October 1 - 3

@US12GarageSale
US 12 Garage Sale
US 12 Heritage Trail August 13 - 15

@127Sale

The Corridor Sale*
on Facebook
West Unity, OH to Gadsden, AL. August 5-8

*This event was named as one of the
Top Ten Free Attractions in the Southeast 2010!
Click here for a Sassy Sign coupon good for a
free Apron and $1.00 off wyb and Value Kit.
Enter code "127sale".

No twitter account, but worth checking out:

Yard Sale Search
BooKoo

Other great ways to buy and sell:

@ebayClassifieds
eBayClassifieds
on Facebook
Click here for more details on eBay Classifieds

@Zwaggle
Zwaggle
on Facebook

@Freecycle
FreeCycle.org

SwapTree
on Facebook

If you know of any other sources to buy and sell please share it with me and I will pass it on. And if you've attended any of the big yard sale events mentioned, please share your experience with us.

Happy Recycling!

Keep up with the freebies, coupons and deals by subscribing to My NCTriangle Mommy today! You can also follow me on facebook and twitter. Thanks for visiting.

Keep up with the freebies, coupons and deals by subscribing to My Atlanta Mommy today! You can also follow me on facebook and twitter. Thanks for visiting.

Keep up with the freebies, coupons and deals by subscribing to My NCTriangle Mommy today! You can also follow me on facebook and twitter. Thanks for visiting.

Earth Day: Recycling Tips

With Earth Day coming up I have seen lots of places to recycle almost everything! It's good for the environment, your house (less clutter), and sometimes your wallet.

Make Up Items

EcoTools - Send off your old makeup brushes, sponges, and bath and body care products to EcoTools for an alternative EcoTool product (free item coupon) and a sample pack. Go here for more information! Thanks My Dallas Mommy!

Origins- Take your empty cosmetic tubes, bottles, or jars to Origins store or counter April 22 for a free full size cleanser...choose from Checks and Balances or Perfect World. This has been posted on their facebook page. Thanks Drugstore Divas!

Electronics

Target- Trade in used electronics and dvds for a Target Gift Card! Love this!!

Swagbucks- Recycle old cell phones for swagbucks! Not a member? Join here!

Shoes

Nike- Drop off shoes at Nike to have every part used to make athletic surfaces. I think I like this on the best! They take any brand shoes!

List of other places to send shoes for charity and to be reused or recycled.

Plastic Bags

Reuse- If you have not gotten a reusable bag yet or forgot yours, be sure to reuse plastic bags in creative or more ordinary ways or
Recycle- Target has set out recycle bins for plastic bags in or near their stores

Sports Equipment

Donate to a local school! Teachers are always in search of play equipment especially this late in the year :)

If you enjoy garage sales, read my post on Garage Sales: Recycling Fun here. If you have any other great ways (or places) to recycle or reuse, please share! Thanks

thanks Military Mommy!

Keep up with the freebies, coupons and deals by subscribing to My NCTriangle Mommy today! You can also follow me on facebook and twitter. Thanks for visiting.