Don't Throw It Out: Recycle, Renew, and Reuse to Make Things Last

Great book. Very large with lots of information. You can just skip around to the pages you are interested in, no need to read it all the way through, unless you want to!

A great book for those interested in recycling and/or getting the most out of the things they have and wasting less. Full of lots of hints!

Don't Throw It Out: Recycle, Renew and Reuse to Make Things Last, by Lori Baird, is terrific! I imagine anyone who is environmentally aware knows of the three R's--reduce, reuse, recycle--this book adds renew for a twist. The book covers virtually everything inside and outside the home. For example, the kitchen, chapter one, addresses everything from how to get the most efficient life out of your appliances to elongating the life of food. That's the practical side of the book. Then there are the creative aspects--the renewing. Have an old wood table that is beyond fixing the marred surface? No problem--make a tile top! Baird recommends purchasing only well made furniture, because good quality furniture will last forever, thus keeping it out of landfill. There are great tips on the signs to look for in quality furniture. For example,"5 signs a chair will wear well." In the lawn and garden accessories, "15 Ways to Reuse an Old Garden Hose" is a winner! who knew? (Next time, buy a quality hose, is the sage advice.) This book is just loaded with practical and creative tips, projects and advice. For those new to the environmentally-friendly lifestyle, this book could change your life. For those seasoned tree-huggers, Don't Throw it Out will still provide tons of new and useful information. A winner! By the author of the award winning book, Harmonious Environment: Beautify, Detoxify and Energize Your Life, Your Home and Your Planet.

Lori Baird and the editors of Yankee Magazine have compiled a helpful and informative guide for 'planet friendly' use of common household items. I remember reading a similar earlier publication by the company and appreciated this updated book. I did, however, find a few of the 'Domestic Challenge' sections, included at the end of each chapter, annoying and confusing. Having to consider a few fictitious ideas interspersed among many worthwhile ones doesn't work at all for me. Originally, I had almost decided not to read the book any further, having, by chance, come across one of these sections when I first opened the book. But Baird's inclusion of so many unique, interesting, and tried and true ideas kept me reading to the end, after I started at the beginning. The book is nicely formatted and contains a wealth of suggestions and directives, an appendix with many resources, and an easy-to-use index.

Landfills in the US are full to bursting, and the economy is heading into a recession. How can one person make a difference? Lori Baird and the editors of Yankee Magazine have the answers in Don't Throw It Out: Recycle, Renew, and Reuse to Make Things Last. This comprehensive book addresses the items in every room in the house, plus outdoors. Want to make your appliances last longer? Tips and tricks help you keep them running in top shape for as long as possible. Has something reached the end of its useful life? Then re-purpose it. With a little creativity, you can find many more ways it can be used. Proper wood cleaning techniques and solutions are explained, designed to keep your furniture in great condition. And if your wood furniture has already suffered neglect, don't despair. It can be given new life with some nifty cosmetic touch-ups. There are times when an item is simply beyond repair, or has become too expensive to operate. "Fix-it or Forget-it" tips show you when it's time to simply let go. And fun quizzes test your domestic know-how. Don't Throw It Out has changed the way I look at my home. It's so easy to implement the suggestions, and it feels great to know I'm conserving energy and creating less waste. One person really can make a difference. Pick up a copy and you can, too. The planet will thank you. Reviewer: Alice Berger