365 Sustainable Decisions Challenge

In today's world, where sustainability is increasingly crucial, even our crafting choices can make a significant impact on the environment. One such choice is between using leftover yarn scraps for crafting projects such as this cute sweet instead of buying new yarn. Before reading on, which benefits can you think of? Here are some of the environmental benefits of choosing yarn leftovers: - Reducing waste: Yarn leftovers, often seen as waste, find new life in crafting projects instead of ending up in landfills or being burned. By repurposing these scraps, we contribute to reducing overall waste. - Conserving resources: Crafting with yarn leftovers eliminates the need for new wool or cotton production, which saves a lot of natural resources such as water and energy. Unlike new yarn production, which requires significant resources for sheep farming or cotton production, yarn processing, and transportation, using leftovers minimizes the environmental footprint associated with these pr...

In a world where sustainability is becoming more and more important, all our choices make a difference for the environment. Even the seemingly innocent choice of buying flowers can have far-reaching consequences. This is because the environmental consequences of store-bought flowers are significant. For example: - Pesticide use: The flower industry relies heavily on pesticides to protect flowers. These chemicals, however, contribute to soil and water pollution, harming ecosystems and aquatic life. - Carbon footprint: Store-bought flowers often travel long distances. The transportation causes greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate change. - Water shortage: Growing flowers on a large scale requires a lot of water. Especially in water-scarce regions, this adds up to existing challenges and contributes to environmental degradation. - Single-use culture: Most store-bought flowers are discarded after a short time, contributing to the global issue of single-use waste. The packaging...

  🌐 In today’s world, we often discard glass containers without a second thought. But glass still has a huge value. This value is recognized in recycling plants, which turn waste glass into new glass. But they are treasures even before recycling, as they are a great resource for do-it-yourself projects. 🍶 For example, the humble salt shaker — it is an everyday item that is used around the globe and can easily be made from a glass container. So why not make one yourself instead of running to the shop to buy a new one? I can tell you, it is a great opportunity to save a few bucks! ♻️ And the value of trash isn’t just monetary. When we create something ourselves, we value it even more. So, I bet that you’ve never had a cooler, more beautiful salt shaker than the one you made yourself. 🌍 And if you want, you can even use it as a statement. As a commitment to sustainability, to resourcefulness, to caring well for our planet. By repurposing a glass container into a salt shaker, you...

Wow, the beauty of nature combined with reusing materials as a way to care for nature. Gorgeous and creative! What materials do you have at home that you can use to craft for example a Christmas present? 'Robin' by UK sculptor Barbara Franc, using recycled metals #WomensArt #BirdsOfTwitter pic.twitter.com/jDsj00q202 — #WOMENSART (@womensart1) December 6, 2022

What a creative way to reuse plastic bottles for urban gardening! Urban gardening contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (#SDGs) in many different ways. Learn more about why urban gardening is a great way to contribute to a healthier planet: https://medium.com/the-environment/how-urban-gardening-contributes-to-sustainable-development-goals-785df8d72af5 Recycling Plastics & Planting Eggplant for sustainable living :) #GoGreenWith5ire pic.twitter.com/ElP5V2DeBh — CB21 (@chrisgomez_21) November 29, 2022

Ha, my mind is going wild thinking about all the different ways a plastic rope can be put to good use! Some first thoughts: - decorating presents - marking wine glasses on a party - as washing line - a garden fence - a hat What ideas can you come up with? #upcycling This simple gadget turns plastic bottles into rope. Meet the Plastic Bottle Cutter by Pavel & Ian. #gigadgets #recycling #plasticfree #sustainableliving #diyideas pic.twitter.com/oBdrAsNXXe — GiGadgets (@gigadgets_) November 17, 2022

The box I shared yesterday doesn’t have a very appealing lid. So I decided to make it more beautiful. As I kept the pages that I cut out for the pencil case (#327), I could now use these to decorate the lid.  

The cups I started using (#328) work really well, however, don’t look very organized and cannot be put aside quickly. That’s why I took a box from an Internet router and made compartments in it. Now I can just put the lid on it and stow it away.  

The barrels yesterday (#372) were used to capture rain. But when you don’t need them anymore, you can use them as pot. Good idea!  

On one of my walks, I noticed a little hut that was made by children. It was made from branches that they found in the woods. I liked the idea compared to the one that is made from wood that is bought in the shop. It saves chopping a tree and transporting the wood.  

Wow, I can’t believe that I did it! I successfully finished my 365 Sustainable Decisions Challenge! As I had such an amazing journey, I want to keep this happy memory. That’s why I made this keepsake from an old book.

During sandblasting, sand is sprayed under high pressure on a surface, for example to remove paint. I learned that it is also possible to use waste glass instead. This is a great way to reuse glass and much better than letting glass end up on landfill. 

To be able to have some notes in sight, without having to clutter my desk, I decided to make a pin board. But I don’t want a standard brown one, as I think that looks boring when I’m not using it. That’s why I made flowers from slices for cork and painted them.

On a walk, I passed a building that specializes in weddings. Just before the entrance, I saw these pallets. A very creative way to make a welcome sign!

A few years ago, I learned how to fold such paper flowers. I used to use square pieces of paper that I bought in a shop. But this time, I preferred to make them from paper that I reused. That’s why I chose an old book and cut squares out of the pages.

When I rescued the frame from being disposed (#303), I didn’t like it that much after all. Therefore, I decided to use it for a new piece of art. For that, I first painted it white.

To protect my credit card from bending, I needed a case. Instead of going to the bank to get a plastic one, I created one from the bottoms of two mild cartons. With tape I connected these parts and made the case even stronger. I think the result is great (I'm aware that that is probably because I made it myself, not because it looks so great :) ).

Old glass can be used for many more purposes than creating new glass (Learn more:  https://medium.com/the-environment/7-alternative-ways-to-recycle-glass-waste-7b308b3eb117 ). One of the ways is to create mosaic in for example a pavement stone.

A while ago, I visited a community garden. I noticed that they had two raised beds: one made of stone and the other one surprisingly from an old tree trunk. I loved it!

When I get new keys, I label them, otherwise I don’t know what they are for after a while. Instead of buying new plastic labels, I decided to use an old cork, put a ring in and there you are. Nice and easy.