Upcycling

REusable Notions: Devin’s Home Tour

July 19, 2012 Jackie Lam

Devin8 — Devin, Reusables Artist Extraordinaire

While my co-worker Devin and I largely disagree on a number of things (i.e., the pros and cons of Grouponing, coupons, what color socks to appropriately wear to work), we both are lovers of reusing. Devin is more hardcore than I’ll ever be and isn’t in to buying eco-friendly stuff that is branded as such. Instead, he prefers to cleverly repurpose stuff that’s already lying around the house. So take a break playing online games such as on the ever-entertaining Cheeky Bingo or that super fun Perfect Strangers Nothing’s Gonna Stop Me Now and do some decluttering. Figuring out what can get thrown out and what can still serve a purpose would be a good way to stay indoors and endure this icky summer heat.

Here’s a tour of Devin’s most treasured reusables. Note that to prevent hording, one thing you can do is create a rule: for every item you decide to hold on to, something else must be thrown away. Otherwise you’re going to look like a potential candidate to appear on an episode of Horders, and that certainly isn’t a good thing.

Reusing some plastic produce containers from Trader Joe’s to store sewing items and small sundry household items. Darn clever, if I don’t say so myself!

Here are some shoeboxes used to store office supplies and the like. Devin uses them in his hallway closet. He’s only kept the boxes that are colorful and in good condition and has also held on to the box top, just in case he needs to stack them vertically.

Here’s a large salad container (left) and to the circular one on the right was a Costco-sized vat of fruit salad. You can use the circular one to transport cake or baked goodies, and the old salad container is good if you are bringing fruit salad or a homemade concoction to a party. Maybe you can come up with your own use for these.

Some old glass medicine bottles and beverage containers. You can reuse the POM one as a drinking glass and the others you can store small, cute items such as paper clips or push pins.