From Guest Blogger Lana Hawkins: Sustainable Designs–Reduce, Upcycle, Recycle

Recycling and upcycling are extremely important because they are helping in reducing the pollution of our environment. Besides this, recycling and upcycling can bring economic benefits to our economy. By recycling we are stopping the making of new landfills, we are creating new jobs and saving our energy reserves.

Recycling involves separation of waste and its reuse in various ways. Upcycling means converting discarded products into something new and usable, instead of throwing them away.

Studies have shown that women recycle more than men. Women do more housework than men, thus it is likely that women are emptying and rinsing out containers, separating the rubbish while taking on the daily, routine activities. It has to change. Men should be more aware of their impact on the environment. I will try to give you a few examples of recycling and upcycling that men can find interesting and motivating.

Recycling

Composting

If you have a front lawn or a garden and you want it to look great, you will definitely need fertilizers. Instead of buying artificially made ones, you can make it in your home by composting organic waste. This way you will save the money and help in saving the planet.

Rubbish as energy

Electrical and thermal energy produced from the waste is our future. There are already a few big plants that use rubbish as fuel in their production processes. No matter how strange or even unbelievable sound, landfill, waste, garbage and sewage will be important sources of energy in the future. The waste is not best fuel, but it is much smarter to use it in that way than just leaving it in the ground. Waste is a problem, it is polluting the planet and this problem cannot be solved only by natural processes. This is why you should separate the non-organic waste in different bins, so it can be removed and used as a source of energy.

Upcycling

Greenhouses

If you are planning to make a greenhouse you can use plastic bottles for that purpose. Make a wooden construction which will have a roof, walls and doors, and fill in the gaps between the slats with plastic bottles, by gluing them one to another. The gaps between the bottles you can fill with water resistant silicone. You will probably have to cut off the tops of the bottles and slightly flatten them to glue them easier. The bottom of the first isle of bottles screw to a wooden construction, and do the same on the side skirts. If you do not feel like making this and you have a lot of plastic bottles, separate them from other rubbish and get rid of them in the greenest way possible. As for me, I have found some great rubbish removal people in Sydney, who will take those bottles from me and recycle them.

Shed made from glass bottles

Glass bottles are easy to collect, use and reuse as an inexpensive building material. Use a wood to make the frame of the shed and plaster for bonding the bottles. Bottles retain air and provide insulation. This way you do not lose heat or stability. To build the shed this way you will not need too much time, but you will need a little creativity and some great tools.

Writing desk made from wooden pallets

Wooden pallets themselves are not particularly attractive, but with a little effort, you can transform them into a beautiful piece of furniture without major financial investment. Working table is an important piece of furniture in a modern home. With a little skill you can make it yourself. Attach high trestles to the palette, and to get a solid surface, fill in the blanks with boards from other palettes.

Having in mind that our planet is not in the best eco-shape at the moment, we can agree that we should do everything we can to help in saving it. Looking after the planet Earth has to be our main concern, especially today.