How often do you recycle and practice sustainability? Chances are you recycle when possible, but you might not give it much thought on a daily basis. If you do recycle and practice sustainability regularly, that’s great. But for the majority of people, recycling is not as accessible as it should be. However, it’s more important than ever to find ways to help protect that planet. Cutting down waste and implementing more sustainable habits can really go a long way to keep the environment happy and healthy.
When it comes to crafting, you might think it’s harder to minimize waste. No matter what your hobby is, there are times when supplies go to waste or perhaps you misplace them and you have to buy new ones. But crafting sustainably is actually easier than you might think, and can help you save a pretty penny. Studies show that Americans throw away more than 34 billion pounds of used textiles each and every year, and only around 15% of this waste is recycled. These numbers show that clothing and fabric materials are causing a huge strain on the environment.
One of the best ways to implement more sustainable practices when it comes to quilting, crocheting, sewing or knitting is to upcycle materials you have lying around the house. Upcycling means turning something old into something new. Instead of throwing out old clothes or scraps of fabric, turn on your creative switch. How can you use those materials in your next project? Your old clothes can make for the perfect blanket, or maybe all the old yarn you have lying around can help you stitch together a colorful sweater. Sustainability is all about thinking outside of the box. Chances are you have all the materials you need inside your home.
“Recycling and being sustainable is so easy and you can do it at home. Reusing old scraps of clothes is an easy way to help the environment and put a personal touch on your projects. We all need to be a little more mindful of how our waste affects the earth, so practicing healthy habits like this can really go a long way. Instead of throwing away materials that hold good memories, turn it into something beautiful that can last for years. Recycling is just a new opportunity to test your creative skills,” says Corey Pearson, Master Quilter and VP of Customer Success at Linda’s.
Another way to practice sustainability when crafting is to get your resources second-hand. You don’t always have to buy new things, instead you can head to your local thrift store or Goodwill to get the supplies you need. It might even make it easier to cut things up and make them more your style, because the clothes were not yours in the first place. Recycling doesn’t necessarily mean you have to put it in the blue bin, it could be reusing materials and turning them into something new and improved.
Not only do these practices help cut down on waste, but it helps you save money as well. Crafting supplies can be pretty expensive, and if you have a knack for misplacing your items, you might end up spending more than in your budget. Reusing the items you have around your house can help you save a little extra money, and also helps protect the environment. Only good can come out of sustainability.
As the new year comes around, it’s the perfect time to think about your habits. Is there room for improvement when it comes to your sustainability practices? Maybe your New Year’s resolution can be to protect the environment or save some extra money each month. Upcycling helps contribute to both of those goals.
There is no time like the present to give back to the earth. Waste production is a huge issue that impacts the environment, and these subtle changes can really go a long way. Sustainability does not have to take up a lot of your time and energy, in fact you have everything you need to be successful right at home. Stepping out of your creative box might be the key to protecting the planet.