3 Fun Recycled Crayon Crafts

If you have kids, you probably have lots of broken Crayons. Instead of throwing away all those bits of colored wax, why not recycle them into a work of art or another useful creation? Here are three fun crafts you can do to recycle your broken Crayons:

1. Rainbow Crayon Hearts – An easy way to make your broken Crayons useful again is to melt them into new, fun shapes. Using a silicon mold, heart shaped for example, place the broken Crayon bits. Make sure all the paper is removed. The end product also looks better if the colors blend well, like blue and yellow for example. Melt in a 250 degree oven for fifteen to twenty minutes. Let cool before removing. The resulting heart crayons make for a fun Valentine’s Day gift! Try different mold shapes for different seasons or holidays. You can even make crayon cars, worms, butterflies, or other kid-friendly ideas.

2. Crayon Monograms – A great gift for Teacher’s Appreciation Day, you can make a large initial monogram by simply gluing broken Crayon parts creatively. Invest in a nice frame and you have a great gift for your child’s teacher. Or make one with your child’s initials for a fun addition to their room’s wall art. 

 

3. Crayon Drip Décor – Last but not least, melting crayons make for all kinds of fun décor. The most basic use is done by gluing a new box of crayons to the top of a large paper or poster and then melting them and allowing the drips to make a rainbow. While attractive, it does not work as well with broken crayons. However you can use broken crayons to make a similar effect on three dimensional objects like pumpkins. Using a white pumpkin and melting crayons, paper free, with a hair dryer you can have an awesome rainbow effect for your decorating needs. Don’t limit yourself just to pumpkins; this fun craft can have all sorts of uses throughout the seasons. 

These three fun crafts really make you take a second look at what you throw away. Even broken items can find new uses. Help your kids to understand what it means to reduce, reuse and recycle!

Author: Nancy Parker is a regular contributor to www.enannysource.com and she loves to write about wide range of subjects like health, Parenting, Child Care, Babysitting, nanny background check tips etc. You can reach her at nancy.parker015@gmail.com

iRecycle App Makes Recycling Easier Than Ever

Earth 911's iRecycle App is awesome. It uses your location to tell you how to best recycle different types of materials. This is a total game changer, because recycling systems are different from municipality to municipality. The app. allows you to quickly and easily learn the closest, proper way to responsibly dispose of almost any item! No more confusion about what items go in what bins!

DIY Map Wrapping Paper

map wrapping ideas via Be Still, Life

mixing maps and grocery bag

map oragami

Lets face it, in the days of iphones and computers, maps are basically an obsolete technology. Put that old map drawer to good use by using it to spice up your next gift-giving opportunity!

Pencil it in: Sustainable Fashion Collaborative Clothing Swap

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WHEN: January 12, 2014 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

WHERE: Bella Luna Restaurant, 284 Amory Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

WHY: Join the Sustainable Fashion Collaborative of Boston  for a night out of pizza and clothes swapping! Bring 5-10 gently worn pieces (clothing/accessories). You have the night to shop through other "pre-loved" items, have a drink and grab a bite. You'll leave the event with "new-to-you" pieces, revitalizing your wardrobe without spending money on new clothes! Register here. 

Ways to Reduce Your Waste

image courtesy of Wired

Its a new year, and time to clean up our acts, so to speak. One of my goals for a better lifestyle is to reduce the amount of trash I make. The North End has trash collection for residents 3x/week - which is ridiculous considering how tiny all of our apartments are. How can we possibly be creating this much trash?! In solving this problem, here are a few things to consider:

• Watch your consumption. This one is obvious, but we constantly have to remind ourselves to bring resuable shopping bags, coffee mugs, and other waste-savers.

• Start composting. 2014 marks the beginning of Boston's food waste ban for businesses, which means composting will become the norm over the next year or so. Join the trend and start your own composting bin and look for collection opportunities with Bootstrap Compost.

• Take care of your stuff. Learn to sew, be tidy, and use your belongings properly. Even though not everything is meant to last forever, give your belongings the longest life possible.

• Give up soda, bottled water, and other single-serving beverages.
  
• Have a Keurig? Get a reusable filter.

• Use cloths and rags instead of paper towels and paper napkins.

Any more ideas? Please share!

New Perspectives: Changing Your Home Without Hurting The Environment

Changing Times

Many were stunned by the recent shocking news headlines about 30 Greenpeace activists facing 15 year jail sentences in a Russian prison. This is due to their protests at an arctic oil rig in relation to the environmental consequences of arctic drilling. In conjunction with an announcement from Greenpeace regarding a change in their strategy, they believe that by staging more proactive, high-profile campaigns, there will be a push from the public to force the government to act on important environmental issues.

Make Changes to Your Everyday Life 

Most of us are in agreement about the state of the planet, and find it hard not to connect all the natural disasters and volatile weather conditions to climate change. However, most of us don’t fancy abseiling down the shard to drill this statement home to the masses. There are still changes we can all make to contribute to sustaining the environment and the natural balance and harmony of life.

It is up to each and every person to take responsibility for the impact that their actions have on the environment. Everything should be taken into account in regards to their lifestyle choices - in terms of simple things such as recycling, reusing carrier bags, planting flowers to attract wildlife into our gardens. Take things a step further by making your home as energy efficient as possible, by insulating your loft or refitting those drafty windows, you will see a reduction in your electricity bill.

Use Sustainable and Recycled Materials

If you are redecorating or renovating your house, think about how the materials you used were sourced. Floorboards suit every room, from a rustic kitchen to an urban studio space. Using a reclaimed wood product is also extremely important in regards to the environment; after all, we need to save trees. The Reclaimed Flooring Company has a beautiful selection from French Oak beams to original Victorian Pine floorboards.

We take wood for granted and can be careless when disposing of items we no longer require. But if you want to reduce the chances of landfill and preserve trees, then using reclaimed wood is a positive way to do it. Are you craving an industrial, raw space with exposed brick-work, wrought iron and distressed floorboards? Or how about a cozy kitchen with a vintage dresser and lacy net curtains? By using reclaimed and recycled materials you add dimension and texture to your room and you don’t feel like you are compromising. If anything, the authenticity, using pieces rich with history, looks far more unique than a clinical set of MDF drawers and some faux-wooden flooring.

This post is sponsored by The Reclaimed Flooring Company. 

Sponsored Post: Green Garden Projects for Autumn

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The days may be getting shorter but it’s not too late to tend to your garden. If you want to create a gorgeous garden this autumn, here are four eco friendly DIY projects that you will love.

Paint your Plant Pots
If your garden is need of a pop of color, why not add a little interest with painted plant pots? All you will need for this project is standard clay pots, neon paint and brushes. Paint your clay pots in a variety of neon shades, but make sure to choose paints that are non toxic. Simply go online and search for low VOC paints (you can get a range of colors delivered to your door). Once the newly panted pots are dry, apply a stroke of chalkboard paint to the front of the pot with an eco friendly brush and use chalk to label your pots. This is perfect for labeling herbs!

Reuse Old Household Items 
Before you go out and buy new accessories for your garden, take a look around your home for items that you could use instead. Old boots, for example, are perfect for planting seeds in and will add an interesting eco friendly feature to your garden. You can use them for a variety of purposes and they are ideal to house your gardening tools. Another great idea is to take an old chair that you no longer use and turn it into a chair planter. There are some great examples of this on Pinterest should you need a little inspiration.

Create your Own Eco Shed 
A garden building is a worthy addition to any autumn garden as it provides you with a cozy little hideaway over the colder months. An eco friendly shed is basically an extension of your home and as a result it can add value to your home. If you know your way around a tool box you could attempt to build your own or, alternatively, buy one online from somewhere like Sheds and Things.

Build a Herb Garden with Old High Heels 
If you have always wanted your own herb garden, now is the time to create one. Gather any old pairs of high heels and turn them into herb planters at speed. Simply fill your heels with soil and plant your herbs. Arrange your shoes around the garden on a wooden shoe rack and there you have another fabulous eco friendly feature for your garden.

This post was sponsored by Sheds and Things

Green Tip Tuesday: How to Navigate a Flea Market

Inspired by my recent trip to Brimfield Flea Market, I've decided to share my tips on second hand shopping at flea markets!

1. Early birds pay more for the worm. Later in the market, dealers are rushing to get rid of their goods and are more likely to give you a good price.

2. Curate carefully. Don't make hasty purchases, you don't want to end up having to get rid of the item yourself.

3. Bring cash. It is easier to haggle with!

4. Look out for toxic materials. Just because something is second hand, doesn't mean its green! Be wary of lead based paint, bpa, mercury, etc. 

5. Know what you want. Go to the market with a list. Surf pinterest for DIY/upcycling ideas before you go. 

6. Make sure you can fit everything in the car before you pay. Many flea market vendors offer delivery services, but don't waste the gas if there's no need. 

Most of all, have fun. You know what they say, one person's trash is another's treasure!

Recap of BASG September Meetup

Last night was the Boston Area Sustainability Group meetup regarding the eccentricities of solid waste. It was a fun, inspiring, and educational evening. If you couldn't make it, here is what you missed:

1. "Zero-waste" means no burning or burying at the end of a product's life.

2. "recycling" is a specific process, whereas "zero-waste" is more encompassing of reduce/reuse/repurpose practices.

3. In 2010, each person in Massachusetts produced about 5 million tons of trash. 

4. Only a third of all waste is recycled, though most of the rest of it can be recycled/reused/composted.

5. The climate change / waste nexus is complicated and often undiscussed by policy-makers and legislators.

6. Single stream recycling is controversial since the recyclables are of lower value and more likely to be contaminated than in a dual stream recycling system.

7. Recycling rates are lower in urban areas.

8. Recycling can be cheaper for some businesses than traditional trash pickup.

9. Recycling/Repurposing clothing and textiles is easy because there is already infrastructure for in place for processing these materials. 

10. "Pay-as-you-throw" systems are very effective, and usually reduce a town's trash by about 40%.

BONUS: Reducing the amount of waste you create is THE most important thing you can do to address the issue of solid waste. 

Green Tip Tuesday: Eco Event Ideas Inspired by David Stark

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David Stark is an amazing party planner to the stars. I first heard about him while listening to Grace Bonney of Design Sponge's radio show, After the Jump. He caught my attention when he mentioned during the interview that he tries to make his events sustainable! The image above is a “bottle”  created from hundreds of recycled wine bottles for an editor’s preview event for the Eco countertop line. For more of his eco-aware large scale event ideas, check out his blog: http://www.davidstarksketchbook.com/

LED candle pillars add ambiance to the Metropolitan Opera's Gala in 2011

Cacti made of recycled cardboard at West Elm's Broadway opening

Upcycled newspaper table decor for NRDC Gala in 2011

Green Tip Tuesday: Apartment Therapy's Guide to Socially Responsible Shopping

Apartment Therapy  is one of my all-time favorite blogs. Its full of both aspirational and practical decor ideas. And as you may have guessed, I get really excited when my favorite design, decor, and shopping blogs feature sustainability tips! In June, Apartment Therapy came out with its 6 Steps to Socially Responsible Shopping. It is a great read - I highly suggest checking it out.

Funky list of repurposing Ideas

Do you happen to have old cassette tapes lying around? What about chairs, skis, coat hangers, cd cases, or even a piano? All of these things are given a new uses in Twisted Sifter's huge list of 50 Creative Ways to Repurpose, Reuse, and Upcycle Old Things. Check it out! Some of the ideas are kind of silly, (like the piano-turned-garden fountain pictured above) but some of the ideas come in handy for everyday activities too!

Unconventional Wrapping Paper Ideas

One great way to green your holidays this year is by wrapping gifts using recycled or upcycled materials. When I'm feeling creative, I love cutting brown paper bags and decorating the blank side with stamps, glitter and drawings for a DIY touch to my gift-wrap.

image courtesy of inhabitots.com

Here are some other ways to cut down on traditional wrapping paper waste:

image courtesy of inhabitat.com

Wearable wrapping - if your friends and family wear scarves, wrap the rest of their gift in one for a totally waste-free gift. Same could be done with a shirt or cute dish towels

An old map is a great look for gift wrap! Lets be honest, we all use Google maps now anyway, so its time to clear out your car's glove compartment. 

image courtesy of simplyhealthyfam.blogspot.com

With a little ribbon, newspaper can actually look quite cute!

For small gifts, decorate an Altoids tin.

This upcycled wine/champagne bag is simply amazing. 

RRR Idea: How to Reuse Holiday Cards

1. Gather all cards you've received this year (or any that you still might have from past years). Open each to see if there is any writing on the left inside of the card.

2. Recycle all cards that have writing on the left side.

3. Cut along the fold of all cards without writing on the left. This essentially turns the front of the card into a blank postcard!

4. Use your newly created postcards as gift tags or holiday cards for next year!

image courtesy of simplemom.net

Upcycled Christmas Decorations

In the mood for some DIY? Use that creative spirit to make some festive and green decorations for the holidays:

CDs ----> Ornaments

Wine corks ------> Mini Christmas Tree

Scrap paper ----> Gift bows

To find out how to do all of these (and more) upcycling crafts, check out Boston Green Blog on Pinterest.

Great Ways to Upcycle Soup Cans

Here are some fabulous can upcycling ideas from pinterest:

America Recycles Day is a Week Away!

Since 1997, people across the United States have celebrated America Recycles Day to motivate and educate communities about recycling and reducing waste. This year, America Recycles Day takes place November 15! Throughout the country, communities will participate in events and activities to inspire recycling and keep waste out of landfills.

Many companies and townships are hosting special events to promote recycling next week:

Evergreen Packaging has some interesting tips on how to recycle or reuse paper cartons: www.recyclecartons.com and more craft and recycling tips, check out: www.choosecartons.com

Boston Public Works is hosting a hazardous waste collection in West Roxbury from 9am - 2pm: http://www.cityofboston.gov/recycle 

And Salem is hosting a textiles drive on November 17th. http://salem.com/recycling

To learn about recycling events near where you live, visit: http://americarecyclesday.org

RRR: Upcycle Old Toys

This is a cute idea - spray paint old plastic figurines and adhere to wood blocks to make one-of-a-kind book ends!

image courtesy of Pinterest

Bracelets Made from Recycled Flip Flops

Stacks of colorful bangles are a great way to add a little summer spirit to any outfit. Recycled flip flop bracelets are fun to use for stacking because not only do they look cute, they are a great green conversation starter!

Each jelly-like bracelet is less than $1 and creates a demand for recycled materials. They are made by Free Trade company in South Africa. Order them here.

image courtesy of Ecouterre.com

RRR: Inspirational Mosaics

While browsing on Pinterest, I've found a few mosaics that are the epitome of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Check 'em out!

Coffee table with bottle caps

Wall art made with Mardi Gras beads.

Floor tiled with bottle caps

all images courtesy of Pinterest