This Week’s Green Tip: Upcycle

"Don't think outside the box. Think what you can do WITH the box." (author unknown)

So many of us just toss out household items that we can't see another purpose for but quite often, with just a little creative out-of-the-box thinking, those items can be repurposed, reused, and upcycled. Over the next few weeks, we will bring you a series of tips that offer suggestions on taking items we'd normally toss and turning them into upcycled treasures.  This week, here are a few ideas for empty paper towel and toilet paper tubes:
 

• Save empty toilet paper tubes and use them as seed starters.

• Turn one into a smartphone speaker. For free amplified music, simply cut a hole the size of your phone into the long side of the tube and slide your phone in it.

• Use an empty paper towel tube to store kitchen tongs in drawers.

• To vacuum hard-to-reach areas, like under beds and dressers, insert an empty paper towel tube into the end of your vacuum hose, and bend or flatten it to squeeze into these tough spots.

For more ideas on how to upcycle empty paper tubes, click here.