Another use for outdated business cards

Recently, I changed my business name from Nature's Touch Crafts to Nature's Touch Boutique. I wanted to add what I sell on my new business card and change the website name. This meant I needed to reorder my business cards. I still had a small stack of my old business cards.

I could recycled them which would probably be the easiest thing to do. But I thought of another use for them. I had a business card holder that wasn't being used for anything. I don't know about you but I have a tough time keeping track of all the username and passwords that I have. And you know that experts recommend that you don't use the same username and password for all the websites you are subscribed to.

If your card is blank on the other side, you can write the website name, your username and password then store it in the business card holder. I keep them in alphabetical order by website name but you group them any way that is easiest for you as a reference. Keep it in your laptop bag or by your computer so they are always on hand.

Bonus: You are recycling and being organized too.

Achieving Zero Waste Part II

Don't forget to carefully label the bag and store in a cool, dry place until the fall. I keep mine in the basement.

Then, I took the dirt and added it to my compost bin.

Check with your recycling center to see if they will recycle the pot. Another use would be to save it for your spring seed planting. I plant a veggie garden every year and this sturdy pot would be perfect to reuse.

My mother-n-law has a perennial business and is always in need of sturdy pots like this for her seedlings. I keep them in the garage until there is enough of them to drop off. Her customers often return their pots after planting the perennials in their garden. Perhaps you have a local garden center who does the same thing. It might take a few phone calls but then you know for the future where to drop them off.

The packaging is a lime green plastic material that is very sturdy. I will clean it with soap and water. Let dry. It is the perfect color to wrap a small birthday gift or Easter gift. I will use the gold string to tie the gift.

Voila! No waste and better yet, I saved some $$ buy creatively reusing what I have.

Achieving Zero Waste

My beautiful tulip bulbs I bought from my local grocrey store died. A lot of people tend to buy plants like daffodils, tulips, and lilys in the spring especially for Easter.

This morning, I thought it would be a good idea to challenge myself to achieving zero waste with my purchase so that people can see the possibilities of reusing packaging.

So, I took a paper bag from a recent purchase my husband made at the hardware store. I carefully cut off the stems and flowers then put them in my compost bin. I used a blunt knife and loosened the bulbs. There was a dense root system in there.

I put the bulbs in the bag for storage to plant in the fall. Here is a link to storing bulbs and tubers if you haven't done this before. http://http://www.planandplant.com/storing-bulbs.html

It's a new year

I hope you have a wonderful holiday with your friends and family. Took a much needed break and now I am ready to get back into the swing of things.

Make this your year to be a greener person and/or family!!! I will be there to help you every step of the way. Check in regulary for lots of great ideas.

Tip on Hanging Laundry

My local power company recently sent me an insert in my bill that gave tips on conserving energy. Many of them I already knew but one tip really helped me change the way I hung my laundry. They said that towels, jeans and other clothing that typically dries hard on the clothes line can be hung out to dry. Then, when they are almost dry (with a slight dampness) they can be put in the dryer for 10 minutes on medium heat with a dryer sheet. This will cause them to soften again.

You know what, I tried that tip and it worked. I was able to further reduce my energy costs. I hope this tip helps you reduce the costs of your electric bill too.

Donate your old bicycle

I was reading this week's Parade Magazine which is an insert in my local paper once a week when I came across this great program. Wheels of Change ships used bicycles (plus seas, wheels, and helmets) from US to Africa, where they are sold and rented at a low cost. School children and medical volunteers ride for free.

Here's how it works:

Go to http://www.wocinternational.org/donate/ and fill out the form. They will email you the details on where you can take your used bike and/or equipment for donation. Please give the volunteers time to get back to you.

You can also start a chapter in your community if you would like to help. Please see website for more information.

CVS Green Bag Tag Program

I was so excited to come across this program because I'm a bargain shopper. CVS has this initiative to help their customers remember to bring their own shopping bags instead of using plastic ones.

Basically, you get a leaf tag that gets scanned along with your Extracare rewards card. However, every fourth time you bring in your own bag or refuse a plastic bag at check out, you earn $1 Extra Rewards Bucks.

The only thing that I'm not crazy about is that you have to buy this leaf tag for 99 cents. Since all other rewards cards are free, I'm not sure why customers have to pay for this one. I have to admit that it's worth it if you are a regular customer and keep your reusable shopping bags in your car like I do.

For anyone who is interested in this program and shops at CVS, I have attached the link for you to register.

http://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/promoContent/promoLandingTemplate.jsp?promoLandingId=1160