EL Civics Obj.43Environment Read the information about Reusable items. Then, write your answer to the question. The Savemors hold a garage sale twice a year to sell things that they no longer want or need, but that can still be used. That way, they not only help the environment, they make money, too! If things do not sell, You can sell your clothes, and sometimes toys, on consignment. To sell on consignment, you take the things you want to sell to a consignment store. The store does not pay you until after it sells your things. You can also sell used items through the want ads in your local newspaper. You will have to pay for the ad. Clean, usable household goods, clothes and toys can be donated to many organizations. In addition, they know that many everyday items—such as bags, plastic containers, and coffee cans—can be used more than once. Here are some ideas for how some things can be reused at home: Paper and plastic bags and twist ties can be saved. Bags can be used to clean up around the house or taken to the store on the next shopping trip. Brown paper bags are great for wrapping packages to be shipped. Twist ties can be used to secure wires on appliances or a computer. Paper and envelopes can be reused to write notes or make lists before being recycled. Gift boxes can be used again as well as larger pieces of wrapping paper, tissue paper, ribbons and bows. Packaging, colored paper, egg cartons, and other items can be used for arts and crafts projects for school, at day care, or senior citizen centers. Newspaper, packaging "peanuts," and bubble wrap can be reused to ship packages. Adapted from: http://www.epa.gov/recyclecity/mainmap.htm EL Civics Obj.43Environment Glass and plastic jars, milk jugs, coffee cans, dairy and other kinds of containers can be washed and used to store leftovers, buttons, nails, or thumbtacks. Empty coffee cans can be turned into flower pots. Used wood can be made into birdhouses, mailboxes, compost bins, or other woodworking projects. BUT motor oil cans or pesticide containers CANNOT be reused because they contain harmful residues. They must be discarded following the manufacturers' instructions on the label. List three ways that you can reuse things at home more often starting TODAY. ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ Adapted from: http://www.epa.gov/recyclecity/mainmap.htm EL Civics Obj.43Environment (Alternative reading) Used household goods, clothes and toys can be reused and recycled. Household goods are furniture, dishes, silverware, glassware, linens and mattresses. Clean, usable household goods, clothes and toys can be donated to many organizations. Find out if your county has a Community Action Program that takes donations. Churches often take donations. Depending upon where you live, some organizations, like the Disabled Veterans and the Salvation Army, will come to your home to pick up donations. Look in the Yellow Pages telephone book under “thrift shops” or “furniture used,” to find a place that takes donations. Some places only take furniture, others only clothes, or toys. Call ahead to find out if they will take your items. You can sell your clothes, and sometimes toys, on consignment. To sell on consignment, you take the things you want to sell to a consignment store. The store does not pay you until after it sells your things. They will keep 20% to 60% of the sale price. To find a store that will sell your things, look in the Yellow Pages telephone book under “clothing consignment for resale.” Call them first, to find out if they are able to take your things, before bringing your items in. You can sell things yourself at a garage sale. It is a good idea to go to a few garage sales first to see how they are handled. A few days before the garage sale, take all of the items you no longer need, and set them up neatly in the garage. Be sure to mark the sale price that you want for each item. It is a good idea to put an ad in the paper that will tell other people the day, date, and time of your sale. You will have to pay for the ad. Put some signs on the streets near your home, so the people who are driving by will know about your sale. You can also sell used items through the want ads in your local newspaper. You will have to pay for the ad. Call your newspaper, tell them you want to place a classified ad, and what you want the ad to say. Include your phone number. Adapted from: http://www.epa.gov/recyclecity/mainmap.htm