By Kelsey Abbott

Posted: 02.01.10 | Tagged: lifecycle, reuse, savings

We've all got stuff. And all of that stuff—the MP3 players, cell phones, toys, clothes and whatever else we're hoarding—has a lifespan. Someday, cell phones and MP3 players will stop working; clothes will rip, fade, shrink or become out-of-date and toys will break or be replaced by a 2.0 version. And when all this stuff dies, we do our best to keep it out of our landfills by recycling it.

While we do love recycling, wouldn't it be nice if we could eke a few more useful days, months, or even years before recycling items? Here are three ways to do just that:

1. Take care of your stuff. Your mother was right—if you take care of your belongings they will last longer.

• Keep things clean. Clean things last longer—and run more efficiently—so empty the filters in your air conditioners, change your car's oil (and filter) regularly, schedule your annual furnace cleaning and remove the lint from the dryer after every load.
• Better yet, don't use the dryer. All that heat and tumbling is rough on clothes (and wastes a lot of energy), so air dry clothes whenever possible.
• Extend the battery life of your electronics. Batteries don't respond well to extreme heat and cold, so make sure your laptop has plenty of room for air circulation and don't leave your cell phone in your car where it can cook—or freeze.
• Use common sense. If you jump on things that aren't made for jumping (i.e. beds and couches), they will break. If you throw or drop things that aren't meant to be thrown or dropped (i.e. MP3 players and cell phones), they'll break too. Consider getting a protective case for your delicate electronics

2. Repurpose or re-vamp your stuff. With a little creativity, you can turn an old object into something that feels brand new.

• If your favorite jeans have a few too many holes, turn ‘em into cut-offs.
• Are your pillows loosing their puff? Stuff a bunch of pillow inserts together to create a very cushy dog bed.
• Use an old yoga mat as a no-slip liner for the back of your car.
• Don't give up on that old bridesmaid dress in your closet. Give it a facelift by sending it to Recycle My Dress.
• Give furniture another chance with a fresh re-upholstering job.
• Turn your old shower curtain rings into new napkin rings.
• Look to the stuff that usually goes straight into the recycling bin. A soda bottle can become a bird feeder, a tissue box can become a plastic bag dispenser and cereal boxes, paper towel tubes and paper bags can be used to make puppets, masks and other crafts.

3. Give your stuff a new life—with a new owner. Just because you've outgrown something doesn't mean the item has reached the end of its life.

• Donate used electronics to schools and non-profits. You can also send used clothes, shoes, toys and furniture to local charities like Goodwill, Salvation Army, homeless shelters and churches. Some athletic shoe stores will even accept your used running shoes and give you a discount on your next purchase.
• Use Kashless to give your used items to your neighbors, and earn points for all your creative reuse ideas.
• Sell your stuff on CraigsList or eBay and you'll even make money for your good (green) deeds.

Do you have other ideas for how to give your items longer life? Share them with us by commenting below.

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