As I’ve written this blog over the last three years, I’ve become somewhat of an unwitting advocate for recycling. I certainly wasn’t aiming for that, but I’m very happy to be able to do my little part for the world by helping people see the cool things that can come from reusing and re-purposing vs. tossing stuff in the landfill.
So when Apartment Guide contacted me about sharing a recycling project of my own with my readers, I hopped on board! Here’s what I came up with:
Then as I was home sitting in my thinking chair, or rather, spinning around and around in my office chair, it hit me! I could use that barrel thing that I saw at Goodwill, and turn it into a recycling center! I rushed down to the store, and no surprise, it was still there. And only $5.99!
It’s perfect, because it was already divided inside, and it will roll easily to the curb to be emptied into our street bin on recycling day.
Ug. Embarrassing. But now:
Just more vinyl and black paint. Easy! And so welcoming. It really does make me smile, and I’m considering painting all my doors black now, it just looks so much cleaner.
(If you’re interested in eco-friendly cleaning products, Apartment Guide offers tips on how to make your own!)
I actually have learned a lot from Apartment Guide, like, did you know you can’t recycle pizza boxes and juice cartons? What!?! All this time I never knew. You CAN recycle things like trophies, cell phones and crayons though, pretty cool, huh?
You can find Apartment Guide on:
Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Pinterest
for real-time tips and updates on how to make the most of your small space.
Apartment Guide and owner Consumer Source, Inc. partner with bloggers such as me to participate in blogger programs. As part of that program, I received compensation. They did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about any products and believe that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. Consumer Source’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
22 Comments
julie
November 7, 2012 at 9:36 PMI so want a cute recycle thingy on wheels now too! And I just started painting my oh so icky garage door..vinyl coming in the mail! Nice job!
Rose
November 7, 2012 at 9:55 PMYour recycling bin is cute but I love that garage/entry door! So cute and welcoming.
I will reiterate what Mumzy said:
Call your local solid waste hauler to find out what is okay in your area. If you set your adorable recycling bin out in my area, we (I work for a hauler and we provide recycling carts) would take it away as trash! I would never want that to happen to you or anyone else, so call your provider to see what is acceptable. 🙂
(Another weird thing – we accept cardboard pizza boxes but only in our compostable recycling cart – not with our other recyclables like cardboard and glass. It’s the grease that makes it different!)
Rose
November 7, 2012 at 9:57 PM*Sorry, I was reiterating what -Mia- said. I’ll blame my mistake on my browser. It got confused. 🙁
Amie
November 7, 2012 at 11:49 PMawww love the door~!! great job!
Anonymous
November 8, 2012 at 12:23 AMLove the door…can’t see the dirt when it’s painted black. Totally stealing your idea because mine looks much worse. Oh, and we always call that door a “man door”.
stephbo93
November 8, 2012 at 4:29 AMI love the idea of pretty-fying the garage door that’s not a garage door! And I especially love the “Welcome Home” on it. It just makes me feel good.
Cathie
November 7, 2012 at 9:45 PMWe’ve always just called that the door to the garage, no matter which side of it we’re on.
Mia
November 7, 2012 at 9:46 PMThat is really cute! I also wanted to let you know that every area has its own rules for recycling. In my city, we CAN recycle pizza boxes & juice cartons. Call your local city services hotline, or check online to find out what’s acceptable.
**Mumzy
November 7, 2012 at 9:51 PMLove your thingy on wheels and especially your door!!! Looks awesome!!
It's All Connected
November 7, 2012 at 10:35 PMYay for you for promoting recycling and in such a stylish way! ~ Maureen
Marji
November 7, 2012 at 10:47 PMwell i don’t know what it really is but it looks exactly like the old fashioned ice cream barrels. we found a few in my grandma’s old house that she used to put her LARGE quantities of handmade soap. we didn’t recycle. best we could do was burn them. i guess i’m not helping with the whole “recycle” vibe am i lol
Jenn Rivera
November 8, 2012 at 1:12 AMLove the black door, Lindsey, but first make sure you read Allison’s post on her big epic fail trying to paint her doors black!
http://www.houseofhepworths.com/2012/10/25/most-epically-horrendous-diy-disaster-to-date/
Kris @ Driven by Décor
November 8, 2012 at 2:00 AMGreat project and I lOVE the black door! I kinda hate that I saw this post because now I want my door black too – will add to the never ending to-do list!
Faye Libler
November 8, 2012 at 4:06 AMI love both your projects! My son and I built a house and I picked a shade of black for the exterior doors. He was doubtful of my choice until he saw the finished doors, then he told me to save the paint colour because he was probably going to use it on his own house. 🙂 Sometimes Mom does know best!
Marti
November 8, 2012 at 4:38 AMI love your recycling container and now I’m trying to figure out how to paint my back door like yours. Very neat.
Margaret
November 8, 2012 at 3:57 PMWho could hit “Hmm”??? This is a great way to make recycling fun-anything on wheels is fun, right?
Love the black door and stencil. Your kids will remember these little touches around your home.
You’re a memory recycler, yeah, you are!
Julia Hayes
November 8, 2012 at 5:37 PMLOVE the black door. I painted the doors in my basement black a couple of years ago I could not be happier to this day. I mean, as far as the doors go…
Stephanie @ The Hardscrabble Home
November 8, 2012 at 9:10 PMCute! The “Welcome Home” on the door…I LOVE THAT! About ten years ago I had a sign made that said, “Welcome Home” that I hung on the fence that lined our driveway behind the garage. I thought it was neat to have the place welcome us home every night. lol
Blaire Hickman
November 8, 2012 at 9:44 PMI love the black door. The vinyl lettering is so cute! Where did you get it?
Jilly
November 9, 2012 at 5:50 AMLove both projects, you creative genius, you!! They are both spectacular!
Kimberly Gray
February 16, 2016 at 6:13 AMGreat projects! I love to get creative thinking of new ways to recycle and reuse materials. The black door is very cool! Thanks for sharing!
Jidapa Akkarathanaratthachai
June 20, 2016 at 2:30 AMGreat set of ideas. We also recycle our vegie scraps back into the soil & grow herbs and vegies for our own consumption. When I buy vegie eg celery I buy whole (cheaper) and then cut into quarters and give to friends. More and more of us are sharing fruit and vegie this way – fresher and less waste.