DIY Eco-Gifts For Recyclers On Your Holiday List

Maybe one of the biggest differences between growing up in my childhood home and my children's home (mine too), is that now we all recycle. This one small act is something each and everyone of us can do at home to help save the planet.

I was totally floored during a recent conversation with an obviously intelligent woman who blurted out, "I don't recycle." It opened a floodgate of comments here. Recycling is such an integral environmental issue that I come back to it often -  as I did last week in this post, "5 Reasons Why People Don't Recycle and 5 Reasons They Should."

We need to continue to cultivate a culture of recycling. I wrote about setting up a recycling center with my son in his first apartment here. Maybe, just maybe, we can begin to make a dent into the environmental mess we've made.

What do all good recyclers need? They can never have enough recycling bins.

DIY Gift Idea: Recycling Bin and Labels

Recycling bins perform an important task, but the bins themselves are pretty utilitarian. Here are two novel DIY gift ideas: This Barn Wood & Chalkboard Bin is made from a reclaimed wood bin that has been painted with chalkboard paint. Use low-VOC blackboard paint from Hudson chalkboard paint to label the contents of the bin. Or, you can just print out a sheet of personalized DIY Recycling Bin Labels.

I love the clever labeling on the recycling bins in the main image. It makes you think about all the possibilities, while raising awareness.

For 5 more recycling center ideas CLICK HERE.

Photo: Apartment Therapy, VivaTerra

DIY Eco-Gifts For The Quilter on Your Holiday List

A handmade quilt is a true luxury. Quilts made from pieced together scraps of fabric that otherwise may have been wasted, make quilters the ultimate green DIYers.

It is estimated that between 500 billion and 1 trillion plastic bags are discarded annually worldwide. That's more than a million per minute.

Why not give all the materials to create a DIY Eco-Quilted bag. A quilted bag made from organic fabrics or recycled materials such as: burlap bags, dishtowels, old curtains, jeans, used scarves or old clothes will help to curb plastic and paper bag waste, and can become an heirloom worthy of passing down to your children.

DIY Eco-Quilted Bag

This Quilted Bag from Quilting For Peace-Making the World A Better Place One Stitch at a Time, by Katherine Bell is an easy sewing project. Here is the pattern for the bag. Include in the bag a copy of this heartwarming book about a group of dedicated and diverse quilters who create small acts of creative kindness in their quest to make the world more peaceful.

Photo: Garnet Hill, Quilting For Peace

DIY Gifts For The Junk Collector On Your Holiday List

There are two types of junk collectors:

1. The collector who is constantly acquiring stuff, and the junk accumulates in every nook and cranny of their life. It forms the deadliest of all junk - clutter. 2. The collector who is constantly acquiring stuff and finding creative reuses for it. These folks are the ultimate recyclers as they repair and repurpose the trash to make treasures.

Pete Seeger said it best in his song, "If It Can't Be Reduced"

"If it can't be reduced, reused, repaired, rebuilt, refurbished, refinished, resold, recycled or composted, then it should be restricted, redesigned or removed from production."

Collecting stuff seems to be a human instinct. What would be the best gift to give a collector to help them get a handle on all their junk?...Organization.

Here are 10 Out Of Sight Out Of Mind DIY Boxes to deal with the organized mess, and here’s how to help identify what’s in the box:

DIY Chalkboard Labels

Materials:

Eco-friendly colored chalkboard paint – I like Hudson Paint because there are over 20 beautiful colors to choose from, it’s a low-VOC paint and it is a small local company.

Paintbrush

Old greeting cards

Scissors

Chalk

What to do:

1. Cut greeting cards to size. 2. Paint blank side of card with chalkboard paint. 3. Let dry. 4. Attach to box with glue.

Photos: unknown, Hudson Paint

DIY Eco-Gifts For The "i..." Fanatic On Your Holiday List

Let's face it, the iPod/iPhone/iPad has certainly changed the way we do…everything. What's so great about all these iProducts? Apple dubbed iPhones as nothing less than magically revolutionary.

"A revolutionary and magical product that is literally five years ahead of any other mobile phone. We are all born with the ultimate pointing device; our fingers and iPhone uses them to create the most revolutionary user interface since the mouse."

While those of us who are "i" devotees (you know who you are) know that these devices can practically feed themselves, so what don't they do? Well, they can't sing without a dock, speakers or headphones. Plus, they need something to protect their precious apps from...you and me.

Making accessories instead of purchasing gifts saves resources that would otherwise be manufactured, shipped and packaged. All those accessories can add to the cost of your prized gadget. By making these accessories, you can extend the lifespan of the iBaby, keep your gift cash stash in your pocket, and give a nod to the environment. It's a win/win.

CLICK HERE for video tutorials for DIY Speakers, DIY Docks, DIY Car Holder, DIY Stand, and how to make your own iApp.

Also, maybe you missed one of the strangest posts I ever wrote about "his Steveness?" If you did not see the DIY cheesiest iProject the first time around, you can check it out HERE. (What do you think, was this the absolute low point in my writing career?)

Photo: iLounge

DIY Gifts For The Eco-Fashionista On Your Holiday List

As I continue to dive into this A-Z Holiday DIY Eco-Gift Guide, I am reminded once again, that I have yin/yang relationship with shopping. I love stylish clothes (reading Vogue since I was 12), and I have been known to love to shop. But, as I filter everything through a green lens and embrace a simpler lifestyle, I am consciously aware of my consumption.

I recently wrote about two exciting things to hit the fashion industry – Zero Waste Fashion and The Common Treads Initiative. It's uplifting to know that some conscientious clothing designers and companies are creating sustainable fashion.

What to get an eco-fashionista? Green is the new black. Her commitment to the environment is as strong as her love of a good sale, and she's got the style to back up her ethics. This is an easy gift type to DIY for because there are two things that eco-fashionista's can never have enough of...shopping totes and hangers. Recycled Sweater Shopping Totes Repurpose sweaters that are either old, torn or no longer fit. Wool sweaters from thrift and secondhand shops can be made into felted functional objects.

What you need:

wool sweaters

chalk for marking

ruler

scissors

What to do:

1. Here are the directions for felting a sweater.

2. Lay the felted sweater flat. With chalk and ruler, mark line from armhole to armhole, parallel to bottom edge, for top edge of tote.

3. Mark handles as shown above.

4. Cut along chalk lines as indicated, then set aside sleeve and neck sections. Turn right side out, then open and refold so side seams are at center front and back. Topstitch or machine-zigzag bottom edges together, approx ½ inch up from hem.

5. Topstitch single layer of top and handle edges. Fold each handle in half with wrong side together and cut edges even and stitch down.

6. If desired, cut patch pocket from neck section, so curved neck edge is top edge. Center on tote front; topstitch in place along side and bottom edges.

Natural Wire and Branch Hangers

Hangers are long overdo for a fashion makeover. One of my most popular posts addressed the issue of how many hangers end up in our landfills. Read HERE to find the answer to that, and how to make 3 types of natural hangers.

Here is the original Planet Green post.

Bag Photos: Canadian Living