My grandpants used everything...

I have always re-used things. In fact I only throw things away when I've exhausted all possible reasonable uses that I can think of! I make rag rugs from T-shirts and stretchy material. Patchwork cushions etc. from cotton material. Lots of things like shelf units and boxes from paper, magazines and cardboard - it's amazing what you can make with paper mache. I use a plastic containers for a variety of thins like using them as seed trays, for mixing paint, plant containers etc. - I have even used old welly boots to grow plants in. For things that I really can't use, or that are too good to recycle, I take them to charity shops. Oh yes - I have always saved buttons!

I am so poor at keeping things because I hate seeing them clutter the house even if I knew I could really use them someday. I just run out of ideas how. BUttons and pins however, I keep them because I can use them.

Hi there! That's really great! They are doing their part in fighting against climate change. The three R's: Reduce, reuse, and recycle. I save buttons and I use them for scrapbooking.

Funny I do have a can full of buttons of all sizes and colors. I do reuse tissue boxes on my nightstand. It holds a nightlight, pen, a bottle of vicks. I have a nice shape bottle of mouthwash and that bottle will be reused for a sand project. I will fill it with different color sand and design for decoration. The tubes from toilet paper and paper towels are good for packages that you mail out to protect items that may break.

Hi Macdingolinger, I may have gotten this trait from my grandmother. Yes, grandparents are like that. They keep anything they see lying anywhere which the consider to be of use in the future. I have lots of buttons in my sewing box. I have lots of hooks and eyes, too. Like my grandmother, I love sewing. I started to sew when I was 10 years years. I still recycle zippers, buttons, hooks and eyes that I see in tattered clothes. Before these tattered clothes "transform" into rags, I salvage the aforementioned items. They really come handy when "emergencies" come.

My grandparents were the same. And to some extent, my parents were too. I think they even tried to impart the practice to me. But I think it just adds to the clutter. So I try not to. I recycle plastic containers and such, but I mean put them in a recycle bin, and not use it personally. I think the only thing I re-use are gift bags.