This is an expanded and updated version of my 2019 post Unwanted Mail or Junk Mail. How this mission began I started working on this topic as I usually do. What is a hot topic of discussion in my neighborhood online group(s) or among my neighbors? Neighbors kept posting asking why we didn’t have recycling…
All posts in Apartment and Condos
What Do I Do With (this)?
Earth Day weekend I attended my neighborhood’s Spring Fling. I had a table for zero waste where I shared about the top contaminants in Austin’s recycling and composting systems, flyers on what can and can’t go in the curbside carts, the Recycle & Reuse Drop-off Center, ReBlend paint, our app, and a new program that…
Energy Rebates
Austin friends, check it out. Non-Austin: See what your local utility provider offers in the form of rebates for replacements. April is a great month to buy new appliances and energy efficiency items because there are a lot of Earth Month/Earth Day sales going on. Homeowners, Apartment/Condo Dwellers, business owners: I’m a big fan of…
ReBlend Paint: Recycled Free Paint
Check out my video for this post at https://fb.watch/cbf7JxwoO8/. I had fun figuring out my phone and using my kid’s handy work to help share information. This is a post specific to an Austin program, but if you don’t live in Austin, I encourage you to work with your city or recycling providers to consider…
Secondhand: A Book Review and Ideas to Try
This is a repost of my January 2021 article in the Mueller neighborhood newsletter, The Front Porch Flyer. In the world of zero waste, one of the big books is Secondhand: Travels in the New Global Garage Sale by Adam Minter. The book does a great job of balancing what’s going on in the world…
DIY: Weights
If you need some lighter hand weights, you can make your own or use something you already have! It’s pretty hard to find certain weights and workout equipment right now. When you can find it, sometimes the price is inflated due to current demand. Cans of food, books, your kids toys, etc. can be used…
Buy Nothing Project
I just learned about the Buy Nothing Project/group about a month ago. I’m used to seeing, reading, and writing about posting about (for or away/give or want) items on craigslist, Freecycle, Marketplace and our neighborhood social media platforms. My neighbors started mentioning our area’s Buy Nothing group as a way to re-purpose/re-home/donate items. It’s awesome.…
Shred Day
Free secure document paper shredding Austin ARMA will host the fall shred day Saturday November 16, 2019 at Balcones Shred. Be careful to read the map(s) provided by Austin ARMA. The address posted is not always the exact entrance you will use for drive through. Secure document shredding may be available on site but please…
Updating Furniture
Instead of buying a new piece of furniture, consider giving your current furniture a facelift. Slipcovers, pillow covers, decorative pillows, blankets artistically draped, paint, new hardware, new accents, all these things can be used to give a new life to pieces you already own. Here are some examples of a quick color change. My couch’s…
Target’s Car Seat Trade-in Event
Do you need a new car seat or an upgrade for your child or grandkid? September 3 – 13, 2019 is this fall’s Target Car Seat Trade-in event! Quoting from Target’s website, “Guests who trade in their old car seats will receive a 20 % off coupon toward a new car seat, stroller or select…