As we get ready for a new year, I would like to encourage you to reflect on what we have in our possession and on how we can help others. The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning by Margaret Magnusson (borrowed from the Austin Public Library so you can see the library tape/sticker in the…
Kids Artwork
I have a stack of artwork from the first half of the school year. I also have some older pieces stacked up since I’ve been sorting and organizing during the break. I thought it would be a great opportunity to share with you how to recycle/process the pieces especially if you are doing year end…
Nerf Darts (foam toys)
Nerf Darts go with Nerf Blasters. Nerf Blasters are popular toys in my neighborhood as a holiday present. Nerf Darts are also a common litter item left in the parks and outside areas of my neighborhood. As a result I have quite a collection of usable Nerf Darts. We wait a few days before collecting…
How to Process Gift Packaging
Merry Christmas and Happy all the Holidays! How to process gift packaging: Gift wrap with no foil or glitter: recycle bin Gift wrap with foil or glitter: trash If outside of Austin, you may need to check on particular types of paper accepted. Gift bags: Reuse these if you can, they are best stored flat.…
End of Year Donations
Ever since I was a little girl, December was a big cleaning and clearing out month for me. I’m not sure if my mom ever said anything directly, I just new that historically there would be some new things coming into my room and life and that I wanted to have a clean and ready…
Safe Medication Disposal
Free safe medication disposal may now be available at your local Walgreens, CVS Pharmacy and other pharmacy locations. My CVS, nor any location remotely close to me, is participating as of yet. The disposal kiosk is usually near the pharmacy section of the store. I encourage you to check your preferred or required pharmacies as…
Recycling FAQs from Balcones Recycling
Featured image from Austin Resource Recovery The City of Austin Zero Waste Block Leaders were fortunate to have Balcones Recycling, the recycling company contracted for curbside recycling in my area of Austin, talk at one of our meetups and answer our questions. Here I share their Recycle FAQs for curbside recycling carts (blue carts) and…
Replacements: Coffee French Press
Occasionally I will see posts on French Presses in Buy Nothing and on my neighborhood’s social media sites. I’ve also been contacted by neighbors and friends on these when they break. Posts are usually up because the carafe, which is the glass beaker insert, has broken and the owner doesn’t know what to do with…
Fall Fest 2022
So it’s been some time since I’ve been with you all. My family and me in particular really struggled with sickness over the last few months. I was mostly over things by the annual Fall Fest my neighborhood holds. Normally I don’t table at this event (I table at our spring and summer events) but…
Mittens and Sweaters: Fabric Shaver
It’s fabric shaver weather. I am handing down my son’s outgrown mittens to our friends and after a wash, I ran a pass of the fabric shaver over them to freshen them up. Just be careful on the edges and seams. I nicked a thumb and had to mend it as well. #mittens #gloves #sweaterweather…