Reusing household items anytime you can is key to any green lifestyle.  From bedroom furniture to kitchen appliances, thrift stores are hot spots for picking up used household items. However, you do need to be a little selective, and buy items that are durable enough to withstand reuse.  Here are a few thrift store shopping tips:

Furniture:  If you’re looking for a sofa or arm chair, check out the condition of the frame by attempting to wiggle the arm of the furniture or looking at the underneath side.  Loose frames made of quality wood can often be tightened up, but beware of furniture made of particle board. Don’t worry about finishes or upholstery; you can always refinish with a non-toxic paint or no VOC wood finish.

Electronics:  Most electronics on the shelves at thrift stores work just fine, and have been left there simply because they’ve been replaced by newer models.  Kitchen blenders, mixers, radios and alarm clocks are usually in plentiful supply.  Avoid items with frayed cords or signs of overheating, unless you know how repair them.

Clothing:  From blue jeans to winter coats and everything in between, green living gurus can find great deals at thrift shops on gently used, and sometimes brand new clothing.  Avoid stains that probably won’t wash out at this point, and fabric that’s already worn out.  Learn how to replace a zipper and sew a button, and you’ll be able to salvage many perfectly good items.   Don’t forget about all the things you can do to recycle blue jeans.  Thrift shops are a great place to pick up  whole bags of fabrics for craft projects.

If you’re into green living, you’ve probably heard of Freegans, people who scour their communities in search of free household items like clothing, appliances, and even food that have been discarded by retailers and individuals.  Freegans reject consumerism, reduce waste, reuse, and recycle by creating a lifestyle that is entirely self-sustained by the hunting of free goods.  The act of sorting through discarded items in dumpsters or elsewhere is sometimes referred to as “urban foraging”.

Although it may be considered an extreme green lifestyle by some, I think there’s an important point to be raised by the Freegan philosophy.  Instead of throwing away your old clothes, appliances, books, or magazines, why not recycle them by giving them away? If you can’t find someone who needs your items, contact a local church, women’s shelter, or organizations such Goodwill and Salvation Army.  Not only will you be reusing and recycling, you’ll be helping those less fortunate.  Also, check out Freecycle, an organization of community groups for giving away useful items you no longer need. Photo:  Wikipedia.

Yesterday, I spoke with a friend who said she tries to recycle glass, plastic and newspaper, but she hates the unorganized mess it makes. The conversation inspired me to search for recycling organizers that might help her and the rest of us enjoy recycling as part of a green lifestyle.

Turns out, there are all sorts of products on the market for organizing recycling materials. My favorites are stacking recycling bins. This style allows you to save precious space, and still separate glass, plastic, aluminum, and paper.

Other green home ideas for recycling include buying a few stainless steel trash cans and dedicating each one to a particular recycling material, or installing an under-cabinet, slide out waste bin with two compartments- one for trash and one for recyclables.

Don’t forget, you can build or create you own customized recycling organizer with a few plastic organizer bins and a wooden rack or bookshelf.

The stacking recycle bins shown above are available at Brylane Home for $39.99.