Recycle, eh

After getting numerous requests for my business card since moving into the neighborhood, I finally decided to make my own. Cost was way less than one cent per card for 20 cards.

How did I do it?

Well, I used an MS Word business card template to create the design (it’s simple – I’m no graphic artist), printed it out, and then took it to Staples across the street to photocopy a couple of pages at 7 cents each. At home, I simply glued the copies onto the blank side of the back and front of a cereal box that I cut up for this purpose. I wanted the printed side to show. The cost, by the way, includes the cereal and the glue stick. So hang on to your cereal, tea, cookie boxes!

If you plan on doing the same but want a blank side on the backside of your card, just glue the printed page or photocopy to the printed side of the cardboard. 

If you want to start a business based on recycling materials but not sure how to start, read how Zoe Foster started her own business. Zoe established her successful business designing and making bags from recycled fabric and remnants she finds at car boot sales and charity shops around her home in Ludlow, England. 

Photo http/www.mirror.co.uk/.

Etsy is a place you can go for inspiration. The last time I looked, there were over 140,000 items made from recycled materials. Here are my three fav sellers who recycle material or items to sell on Etsy.

Plastic Bag Bangles

GarbageofEdenDesign makes bangles were each made from two plastic bags collected from friends, family, and plastic bag returns in the New York City area.

Sap Bucket Recycling

Hindsvik is the Etsy site of a Canadian couple who sell 'junk'.  Their photos of their items are amazing and are probably the reason they are so successful. These two canny Canucks prove you don’t have to make or design stuff to sell green. You can sell stuff you already have but don’t need anymore or that you 'find' in your travels.

Yoghurt Lid Foil Necklace

Grellpastell has created an amazing necklace made entirely of rolled, coloured aluminum yoghurt lid foil. Talk about being enterprising! You rock, girl!

So, you see, you can make and sell just about anything. Recycling is a great way to get started if you are lacking the other green stuff ($$), it helps keep your costs down, develops your creativity, and keeps the landfills empty. Win-win.

What can you make, create, invent and sell today!

All photos from sellers' Etsy shops.

Yukka and Stamp are a design couple in Brighton, U.K., who have an interesting gardening business. They sell plants contained in all kinds of unique containers including old cameras (hopefully broken ones), small bits of furniture, and teapots. Now there's an idea that can take root with you if you've got a green thumb and need a little cash.

You can borrow this idea by recycling and repurposing whatever unique items you may have in your own home. Old purses, vases, wooden wine boxes, drawers--take a whip round your home, garage, attic, basement. You're sure to find something. Before you begin, check with your local entrepreneur or small business to register your business and get all the information you need concerning taxes, town/city regulations, etc.

As for plants, if you don't already have a thriving garden, often local grocery stores have herbs and small plants for sale at reasonable prices, or visit your local gardening centre. Negotiate a good deal if you are going to buy a few plants.

Be sure to read up on how to transfer plants successfully into containers before selling them. Once the plants have been transferred and you've given them time to adjust to their new 'homes', begin by selling your plants to friends, neighbours, or at the office. Once you are sure you've got a great green business, rent a stall at a local farmer's market, take them to local florists, or why not try the gift shop at local hospitals. 

IMPORTANT: Be scrupulous about the health of your plants and you should get plenty of business.

Check out more ideas for a successful green business ideas. 

With the way the economy is going, some of us are looking for ways to bring home a bit more cash. If you've been a visitor to this site, you'll notice that almost everything I write about can become a business, albeit a small home-based one. Take a look around your house and see what you've got that you can recycle and repurpose into a ongoing new business venture. 

If you’ve got a hobby or pastime that you are passionate about, you’re well on your way to creating that little bit of extra lolly without spending a pile to get started. In my next few blogs, I will try to different ideas for combining hobbies and recycling so you can start a business without giving up your day job.

Some of my visitors have already started.

Magazine and Calendar Recycling

Anna G. of Sudbury was not working and had no money but saw my calendar recycling blog and started making her own whimsical cards and envelopes. At first she made the cards to keep in touch with her family. When a lady at the post office saw her envelopes, she asked to buy some along with the cards, Anna knew she had a great idea for a business based on recycling paper. Now she shows other women on low income how to make their own cards and envelopes.

Plastic Jug Recycling

Ollie M. of Toronto likes to make her own bath salts but could not afford fancy containers or labels. She saw my blog about precycling plastic containers for this and now sells her bath products at home parties using recycled containers.

So, what have you got tucked away in your cupboards that you can recycle, reuse, or repurpose? What talent do you have that's hidden away and ready to come out?

Let me know if this inspires you to start your own unique green business and good luck!

Last week I attended a meeting and showed off my notepads. The person I met with was so taken with them that she asked if she could take the idea to her next staff meeting as possible money-savers for her organization. How great is that! Planting a little seed can bring about wonderful results and that is the aim of this website.

Sunday morning and too nice to stay inside. Have a great day!

Ciao!