ya i def throw them out if they're icky... my dad would save them until they were like disintegrating

I've been saving those plastic rectangle containers that lettuce comes in-usually the organic stuff. I used them to organize tools in my laundry room (labeled the fronts) and now I just organized my under the sink bathroom clutter with them (lotion, sunscreen, first aid, etc....) Apparently, I have a lot of cosmetic type stuff.
It will be so much easier to find things now! Plus, I can't recycle those here, so I am glad they are not sitting in the landfill.
Later I might post pics of them.

I like to store the bags of dried spices I get from ethnic stores (cardamom, cumin seeds, etc) in empty oatmeal containers. I hate that those containers are not recyclable (wax lining), and I can't bring myself to throw them away. I have them organized by type in the cabinet... Indian, Mexican, etc.

I reuse all of the jars/containers I get too, and wash my plastic bags.

I took my daughter's receiving blankets (which we bought used) and cut up to use as toilet paper (for number 1. I'm not brave enough to use them for number 2 yet! So we have regular toilet paper for that.) I already cloth diaper so I just dump the trash can in with the diapers when I wash. I do use disposable wipes when we are out and about, but they are so strong that I can wash, cut in half, and use them as toilet paper again 1 or 2 times.

When she starts coloring, I plan on taking apart cereal boxes, cartons of milk, and paper bags to give her to draw on.

I make grocery lists and notes on the back of junk mail and bills (that don't have our info on them.)

Bottles (water bottles, lemon juice, etc) to make shampoo in (baking soda + water in one, apple cidar vinegar + water + EOs in another.)

We use washcloths instead of paper towels...we do keep paper towels in the house just in case we need them though.

Geez, when I read that we sound like such hippies. We are really pretty normal, I promise!

I use the empty toilet paper rolls for three things:
Chew Toy for my rabbit, it is clean un-inked cardboard.
Cut in half and paint (optional), then use as a cord keeper for any and all cords.  Simply fold the cord and slip the cardboard tube over it.
Fire Starter Material- Hey, when you heat with wood, you need a good supply of fire starter paper.

KMK started a thread about bottles... but I had something else in mind.
lately, everyone seems to be on this "reuse" kick, and stores sell things made from everything from used chip bags to... whatever else.
anyways, why are we buying our own garbage back from them??

does anyone know how to reuse things like chip bags, capri sun drinks, et cetera?
Could you just laminate them and turn them into a tote bag? hmmm.

I plan to google this, but I just thought it would be awesome if we all made something. :)

http://candywrapperpurse.blogspot.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTjw0mMueOA&NR=1

and my personal fave...

http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=308088.0

I have an entire bookmark section on my computer for stuff like this, here's some of it:

http://planetgreen.discovery.com/home-garden/reuse-holiday-cards.html
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Beads-out-of-Recycled-Chip-Bags
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Paper-Beads
http://www.squidoo.com/poptoplady?utm_campaign=search-discovery&utm_medium=greet4&utm_source=yahoo
http://www.ehow.com/how_4525367_gift-boxes-recycled-magazines.html
http://www.instructables.com/id/Potato-chip-bag-pencil-case/

I get this magazine, and they always have cool crafty recycling ideas. I wish soymilk came in plastic gallon jugs, then I could make more of the stuff, but here is one cool idea.  http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/reusable-lunch-containers-785113/

they also have instructions for a wallet from a milk/juice carton, and a little change purse from 2 juice pouches.

Anyone know how to reuse yogurt cups? I usually grow stuff in them during the spring and summer but I have more yogurt cups than I can use and I need to find another use for them. I'm hoping for something practical.