Most of us know the basic compostable items: vegetable scraps, yard debris, non-waxed cardboard, paper… But there are many, many more items in and around your home that can be composted! Here are 10 of the oddest things you may not have realized you can compost: 1. Used clothing– Clothing items that are 100% cotton, wool, or silk are biodegradable. To speed up the breakdown process, cut the fabric into small pieces or tear it into thin strips. This is a great one (and often...

It happens in nearly every industry: From automobiles to childrens’ toys to household goods, clothing (both new and used clothing), and even food. It can’t be completely avoided but educated consumers know how to avoid falling prey to its effect. What is it? Greenwashing. What is greenwashing? According to Wikipedia, greenwashing is a “spin in which green PR or green marketing is deceptively used to promote the perception than an organization’s products, aims,...

When used toys are donated to a thrift store or charitable institution, they are sorted into one of two categories: soft toys or hard toys. Soft toys are just that: plush animals and characters, including teddy bears and plush movie characters. Hard toys are usually small to medium sized plastic and/or resin toys. Also included in the hard toys category are soft toys that have hard parts and/or battery packs. These toys are offered for sale at deeply discounted prices. Many of them sell, but...

Clothing is becoming cheaper and more plentiful than ever before. In the last 20 years people have started buying–and discarding–more clothing at a faster rate than in previous decades. So before you drop those bags of used clothing off at the thrift store, consider one of the DIY projects projects below. With a little help from us (or Pinterest…or both) you can breathe new life into that old pair of old jeans you don’t wear anymore. Denim TIC-TAC-TOE from The...

Jillian Owens is the creative mastermind of Refashionista.net, where, for the past five years, she has showcased refashioned thrift store finds. Using her ingenuity (and with a little help from her seam ripper and sewing machine) Jillian transforms outdated and unwanted used clothing into chic pieces that you’d never guess came from a thrift store. “A few years ago,” Jillian writes, “I decided I wanted to change the way the world thinks about fashion. I was sickened...