Stuck inside on a rainy, dreary day? Have a hankering to start a new, crafty project? Using random objects and materials from around your home, these fun and eco-friendly DIY projects will cost you little to nothing.

Scrap Paper Notebook

You have a scrap paper galore in the drawer next to your desk, but this clutter is starting to get out of control. No problem! Stack your scrap paper to make all of the edges line up neatly. Punch three holes along the length of the paper an inch from the left margin. (You may want to divide the stack to make this step a little easier.) Cut the front and back sides from a cereal box and punch three holes in each side to align with your stack of scrap paper. You can cover the box panels in anything you like – get creative. Use decorative ribbon to tie together the individual sheet and the cardboard cover.

Portable Scrap Paper Pad

Need something more portable for taking notes on the go? Remove the staple from an empty matchbook and slip out the piece of cardboard that mounted the matches. Measure the matchbook and cut pieces of scrap paper to fit neatly inside. Tuck them underneath the bottom lip and staple them down.

Magazine Envelopes

After flipping through your magazines dozens of times, what else can you do with them? Take apart an envelope to use as a template and trace this outline onto a cover or page of an outdated issue. (If you plan on sending this envelope in the mail, use pages with images instead of copy. This way, the address will stand out more clearly.) Cut along the lines and fold it along the creases that match that of the original envelope. Use non-toxic flue to seal down the flaps.

CD/DVD Coasters

When your favorite tunes or films start skipping too much to enjoy, just turn them into coasters. This one is a cinch. To cover up the images and text with something a little more decorative, trace the outline of the CD/DVD onto contact paper leftover from lining drawers and cut along the lines. Seal it to the surface with non-toxic glue.

Scented Drawer Satchels

Who wears nylons anymore? I know I don’t, but they’re still lurking in the lingerie drawer. But, just because they are no longer wearable doesn’t mean you have to toss them. Cut them up into sections and seal one end with a decorative ribbon. Fill each makeshift pouch with dried herbs, tie the other end shut and put them in your drawers for a fresh fragrance.

Magnetic Dry Erase Board

Measure the outline of a broken CD case and cut a piece of blank white paper down to the same dimensions. Slip it inside and use non-toxic glue to secure the front and back of the CD case together. Secure a magnet to the back and hang it on your refrigerator for quick notes.

Homemade Drip System

Interested in conserving water in your garden? Use a pin to punch tiny holes into a plastic bottle. Shred pieces of scrap fabric and stuff them in through the neck of the bottle. (This absorbent material will cause the water to drain gradually.) Bury the bottle in the soil up to the neck next to plants in your garden, so that it releases water almost directly to the roots. Use a funnel to fill the bottle with water.

Reusable Shopping Tote

Dig through your pajama drawer to find an old, baggy t-shirt. Flip it inside out and remove the sleeves. Cut around the neck hole, making it several inches wider. Stitch the bottom hems of the shirt together. (You may want to sew a reinforcement seam for extra strength.) Flip your new reusable shopping tote right side out and use the sleeve holes as handles.

Tea Tin Candle

Following these steps, turn empty tea tins into decorative soy candles.

Bird Feeder

Rinse out an empty milk carton. Cut out two ample-sized openings on parallel sides and, about an inch below each, poke a hole using the tip of a pencil. Insert a rod through both holes to act as a perch for your feathered friends. Run a wire or string through the top of the carton to hang from a tree branch. To make it a bit more ornamental, embellish the carton with milk paint and secure popsicle sticks on the top slopes with non-toxic glue to look like shingles.

Upcycled Picture Frames

Rinse out some glass jars and completely remove any labels. With the images on the outside, roll up pictures of your friends and family, and insert them upside-down into the openings of the jars. Flip the jars over and display them on tabletops and shelves around your home.

Drawer Dividers

Do you cringe at the thought of organizing your infamous junk drawer? With some homemade cardboard dividers, it’s easy to keep it orderly. Just measure the length, width and height of your drawers. Break down a cardboard box and, based on your measurements, cut enough strips to create as many compartments as you want. Slice a slit halfway through the width of each strip to easily interconnect these pieces.

Bonus idea: taking inspiration from the image at the top of the post, why not spend an hour at the park or in the garden collecting seeds, nuts, flower bulbs, twigs, leaves or other pretty organic items to make a seasonal still life? All you need is a favorite dish or bowl and a spot to place it.

For more projects, check out Mike’s ideas.

Images: Er.We, adiything, ♥ellie♥, thebittenword.com, ***FanchTheSystem!***, How can I recycle this, Mulad, Niffty.., Indie Bands With A Mission, Edgar Zuniga Jnr., sfllaw, Idle Type, Vali….

You’re already familiar with plenty of iPhone apps that help you stay green, but these days you’re concerned about saving some green, too. Here’s a handy guide to 20 essential money-saving apps – and most are free!

Mint
Free
This free app makes tracking your finances a cinch with user-friendly graphs and charts that help you manage your budget and examine your spending habits. Plus, it will also alert you of low balances to avoid overdraft fees. So, go ahead and cut your financial advisor loose because Mint does it all without the hefty charges.

Stanza
Free
Stanza gives you access to more than 100,000 books and periodicals for free. You also have the option to adjust the font size, color, line spacing and justification for your reading comfort. Watch out, paperbacks. Stanza may just usher you into extinction.

AudioBooks
Free
Similar to Stanza, this free app allows you to download audio books to keep you entertained when your eyes are needed elsewhere.

Cheap Gas
Free
Gas prices are constantly changing, so it’s hard to keep track of where to find the best deals. With Cheap Gas, all you have to do is enter in your zip code to find the best prices in your area. This free app is especially useful for road trips.

Truphone
Free
Using a Wi-Fi network and VOIP technologies, this free app allows you to make free local calls and cheap international calls on your iPhone to cut your phone bill by as much as 95%.

Gift Planner
Free
List all potential gift recipients and create a budget using this free app. It allows you to track the amount of money allotted for gifts and how much you’ve spent on each friend or family member. You can even take pictures of gift ideas for future reference.

Free Wi-Fi
Free
Never again will you pay for Wi-Fi on the go. This free app helps you locate spots that offer Wi-Fi access at no charge.

BetterDeal
$0.99
Leave your calculator behind next time you hit up the grocery store. With BetterDeal, you can enter in the amount of product and the price for up to four items. This app then calculates which item gets you the most for your money.

Pic2Shop
Free
You’ve probably seen this app on the iPhone commercials, and it’s just as nifty as it seems. For no charge, you can scan barcodes on items while shopping and find out whether another retailer offers a better deal.

Yowza
Free
Yowza locates coupons for merchants in your area that can be applied straight from your iPhone to save paper.

Rent or Buy Calc
Free
To rent or buy, that is the question. This free app gives you an easy answer by calculating which choice will save you more money in the long run.

CostCutter
$0.99
If you eliminate your morning latte from the café around the corner, how much money will you save in a week, a month, a year? This app helps you determine just that for any expenses that aren’t essential.

KidsEatFree
$0.99
Sure, eating out was affordable when it was just the two of you. But now that you have kids, it’s a whole other story. With this app, you can locate restaurants in your area where their meals are free.

Surcharge Free ATMs
$1.99
You need cash, so you stop at the nearest ATM, only to be slammed with surcharges. With this free app, you can locate ATMs in your area that don’t charge any additional fees.

RepairPal
Free
Do you ever feel like you’re getting ripped off when it comes to auto repairs? With RepairPal, you can look up estimates, find roadside assistance and locate auto shops in your area complete with ratings and reviews.

Yoga Stretch
$0.99
Stop shelling out cash for yoga classes and trade them in for this inexpensive app. Yoga Stretch walks you through different poses and lets you choose background music to simulate the entire experience from home.

Local Reuse
Free
One woman’s trash is another woman’s treasure, but there’s no need to go dumpster diving with this free app. Local Reuse helps you locate items you need that others in your area are looking to discard.

Insurance Shopper
Free
With this free app, you can compare insurance rates and choose the best deal.

Woot Watch
Free
Woot Watch alerts you of the deal of the day on a variety of items from digital cameras to coffee makers.

Bargain Bin
Free
This free app helps you save money on, well, all the apps you’re interested in. It allows you to browse through discounted apps and alerts you of price cuts on apps you’re tracking.

Now, with your newfound savings, you can afford to splurge on some eco fashion!

Image: hickoryhollow113

Misconceptions about tofu, the taste of vegan anything and a serving of Quorn nuggets are just a few of the reasons a lot of people aren’t eager to go veg. I’ll admit, I had my doubts the first time a vegan friend offered me a spoonful of her tofu soup. But, all it took was one bite to discover that a delicious meal is all in the recipe. Here are some simple dishes to ease even the toughest skeptics into more eco-friendly eating habits. They’re so easy to make, and so yummy, you’ll find yourself making them again and again. At least I have!

Chickpea Curry

Who doesn’t love chickpeas? This quintessential Indian recipe packs a zesty punch of flavor and is easy to prepare. As long as your spice rack is stocked, the ingredients in chickpea curry will cost you less than five bucks at the grocery store.

Tofu Scramble

Although this meal may sound like something you’d avoid ordering, tofu scramble puts your typical breakfast of eggs and buttered toast to shame. Plus, the recipe is quick and simple.

Vegetarian Chili

Some people think chili just isn’t chili without the meat, but they obviously haven’t tried this delicious vegetarian recipe. Even amateur cooks can handle this easy dish, so don’t be afraid to get creative. Experiment a little and toss in some black beans or chickpeas to make it your own.

Seitan Fajitas

You meat lovers must be wondering if tofu is the only vegetarian alternative, so try some seitan. This fabulous fajita recipe substitutes wheat meat for the real stuff, yielding a unique and tasty meal that won’t keep you in the kitchen all day long.

Spicy Sichuan Eggplant

If eggplant isn’t one of your diet staples, it’s time to consider mixing it up a bit. You can use this versatile vegetable an assortment of delectable dishes, my personal favorite being this amazing recipe for spicy Sichuan eggplant.

Nut Loaf

I grew up on meat loaf, so it was hard to imagine a vegan alternative that could live up to this traditionally delicious dinner. That is, until I made my first nut loaf. If cashews and almonds are among your favorite snacks, this recipe is for you.

Vegan Paella

Substitute cashews for seafood, and you’ve got a vegan version of this classic Spanish meal that is simply mouth-watering.

Mushroom Tofu Stew

You don’t need potatoes and meat to make a good stew. Considering I like to add mushrooms to pretty much any dish, I might be biased, but mushroom tofu stew reinvents this basic recipe with a vegetarian twist.

Avocado Grapefruit Salad

Sick of eating the same old salads? This great recipe combines avocados and grapefruits, two flavors that deliciously complement each other to invigorate your bored taste buds.

Oatmeal Yogurt Pancakes

Ever since a friend made me oatmeal yogurt pancakes, I’ve replicated this scrumptious meal every Sunday morning for breakfast. I’ve always loved pancakes, but this recipe is truly in a league of its own.

Note: shown at top, the classic pizza margherita.

Images: sergeant killjoy, dichohecho, amy_b, arvindgrover, meganchromik, specialkrb, cookfood.net, ptc24, SMercury98, sunpath, Crystl

It would be grand to just roll out of bed every morning looking glamorous and fresh, but it requires serious maintenance to stay sexy. Here are eight easy and eco-friendly tricks for dealing with some of the most frustrating beauty predicaments.

Tired Eyes
Everybody knows about sliced cucumbers, but I recently discovered a more effective method. Steep a couple of green tea bags, put them in the refrigerator until they’re cool and place them over your eyes.

Blemishes
Apply a touch of toothpaste overnight and dab blemishes with lemon juice before putting on makeup in the morning.

Oily Skin
If you start your morning off with a hot bowl of oatmeal, this one’s a cinch. Let your leftovers cool, mix in a little bit of honey and apply this homemade mask to your face. Leave it on for five minutes and rinse.

Dull Hair
Next time you pop the bubbly, save a glass of champagne to rinse through your hair for brighter locks.

Bad Breath
Add several drops of lemon juice to that reusable water bottle you carry around all day. When your mouth feels stale, just take a swig and swish. Bad breath bacteria don’t stand a chance against the acid present in lemon juice.

Wet Nails
Who has the time to wait for nail polish to dry, especially after a couple of coats? Dipping them into ice cold water will speed up the process.

Chapped Lips
Lip balm may moisturize, but it doesn’t get rid of dead skin cells. Make your own exfoliating scrub by blending a bit of honey with coffee grounds and massage the mixture onto your lips.

Dandruff
Mix several teaspoons of vinegar with water and massage into your scalp. Wrap your hair in a towel and leave it in your hair overnight. Repeat the process weekly for the best results.

For more beauty suggestions, check out Katherine’s picks for the best organic skin toners, shampoos and sunscreens.

Image: clickflashphotos

Water Bottles

Yes, they can be recycled but, with a water filter on your faucet and a reusable thermos, there’s no need for disposable water bottles. Stopping the bottle habit is one of the best things you can personally do for the environment.

Tissue Boxes

When you go to the store to restock your supply, buy refills for the boxes you already have instead. Better yet, switch to a handkerchief.

Paper Napkins

Cloth napkins are a much better choice in all regards. They’re reusable and much more stylish.

Paper Towels

Bar towels are just as effective as their disposable counterparts. Though washing cloth towels year after year may seem counter-intuitive to eco-friendly folks, in the long run it’s much better for the environment than disposables.

Razor Blades

Buy a razor sharpener to make dull blades like new again. (Whoever invented the idea of throwaway shaving razors has a special place in a melting ice cap.)

Counter Wipes

Your counters will gleam all the same when you clean them with a sponge or rag.

Paper Coffee Cups

When you swing by your favorite café for a steaming cup of joe, bring your own reusable cup.

Cotton Balls

There’s nothing a disposable cotton ball can do that a washcloth or reusable make-up applicators can’t.

Plastic Utensils

If you’re going on a picnic, bring along a reusable flatware set.

Paper Plates

Laziness is not a sufficient excuse for using paper plates. So, when you throw a big party, suck it up and wash a massive load of dishes instead. Or, our favorite, put the kids to work!

Plastic Shopping Bags

When you go shopping, bring along a reusable tote to carry your purchases. You’ll look more stylish than you would lugging around flimsy old plastic bags, and you’ll make a non-confrontational eco statement, too.

Dryer Sheets

You can easily make your own reusable dryer sheets and kiss the disposable alternative goodbye.

Printer Cartridges

When you run out of ink, refill your printer cartridges at places like Walgreen’s or CVS instead of throwing them away and buying new ones.

Coffee Filters

Replacing disposable coffee filters with one that’s reusable will cut down your amount of daily waste.

Ziploc Bags

To keep food fresh, rinse out empty containers of cottage cheese or yogurt to store leftovers time and time again.

Swiffer Pads

Convenient? Yes. Eco-friendly? Not by a long shot. So, stick to your old-fashioned mop.

Baby Wipes

Considering how many times you have to wipe your baby’s butt every day, the environment would be better off if you used washcloths instead.

Paper Lunch Bags

Pack your lunch in a reusable bag instead of the more traditional paper alternative.

Plastic Hand Soap Dispensers

Invest in a reusable hand soap dispenser. In addition to giving your bathroom a decorative touch, it’s less expensive to refill them with bulk quantities of liquid hand soap.

Disposable Contact Lenses

As long as you take proper care of your contact lenses and clean them in solution every night, substitute disposables with non-disposables. Instead of tossing a pair after a couple weeks, they can last up to a year.

Image: L’Enfant Terrible

If you’ve already downloaded the Top 10 Green iPhone Apps and are itching for more ways to stay sustainably entertained, here’s a list of 10 more to keep you busy:

MyMPG
$2.99
Similar to greenMeter, MyMPG helps drivers maximize their fuel efficiency. It evaluates braking forces and acceleration, and even tracks statistics and improvements to your gas mileage over time. Best of all, it’s half the cost of greenMeter.

Green Lemur
Free
Green Lemur is just like Get Green, both offering eco-friendly advice on how to lead your lifestyle sustainably. Check out the tip of the day or browse by a specific topic. It’s a cinch to navigate and costs nothing.

MeterRead
$2.99
If your jaw drops upon opening your electrical bill, MeterRead is the app for you. It monitors your electric meter, enabling you to track your energy consumption and ultimately choose more efficient habits.

Gorgeously Green Survival Guide
$0.99
This green app is all you’ll need to avoid the harmful chemicals in beauty products like makeup and sunscreen. Use it along with GoodGuide, which identifies eco-friendly household products, to protect you and yours from toxins.

Go Organic!
Free
Comparable to iLocavore, Go Organic helps you find nearby organic grocery stores. Use it when you’re traveling in unfamiliar places to maintain your healthy, organic diet.

Greenpeace Tissue Guide
Free
Our dependency on paper products like toilet paper and tissues is unavoidable, but the Greenpeace Tissue Guide is a great research tool. This app finds the safest brands that use recycled materials and avoid bleaches that contain toxic chlorine compounds.

Carticipate
Free
Carticipate makes it easy to organize carpools with other environmentally concerned individuals in your area. Just punch in your departure time and destination and choose from a list of options.

iRecycle
Free
Don’t know where to toss it? With iRecycle, you choose from over 100,000 recycling and disposal sites from coast to coast based on either your location or the item you are looking to recycle.

Green Card
Free
Save paper by digitally sharing your business card with any of your iPhone contacts. If you change your address or phone number, Green Card automatically distributes the updated version to past recipients.

Yowza!
Free
This app is sure to make coupon clipping a thing of the past. Yowza finds coupons for nearby retailers that you present digitally in an effort to save paper.

For more green iPhone apps, visit Grist.

Image: bredgur

Sure, you could spray your front yard with a generous bath of toxic chemicals. Tasty! Or, you could simply enhance your collection of greenery with plants that serve that exact purpose, naturally. In fact, some even lure beneficial insects to make a meal out of the pests that feed on your foliage. All you need is your green thumb, and Mother Nature will take care of the rest.

Catnip

Keep flea beetles, aphids, weevils and ants at bay with catnip. There are hundreds of species to choose from that grow in shades of pink, white, blue or lilac. Plus, these flowering plants are known to trigger a euphoric state in both felines and humans.

Basil

Basil contains oil that is naturally effective in warding off mosquitoes and thrips.

Garlic

To deter aphids from destroying your bed of roses, plant some garlic nearby, and aphids won’t be the only insects running for the hills. This living pesticide repels snails, codling moths and root maggots as well. Also, flavoring your meals with these homegrown bulbs can help lower your cholesterol and prevent blood clots.

Artemisia

Artemisia vulgaris releases a pungent odor. While this antiseptic smell is capable of keeping away insects and small animals, it won’t bother you or your neighbors. Be aware that this shrub exudes botanical poison, so don’t plant it in your vegetable garden. It’s safest when confined to your flower beds.

Borage

Unlike artemisia, borage works best as an insecticide in your vegetable garden because it’s known to deter cabbage worms and tomato hornworms. But, it can benefit your flower beds as well by enriching your soil with trace elements and luring beneficial insects like wasps and bees.

Dahlia

These beautiful perennial plants ward off nematodes and infuse your garden with cheery shades of yellow, pink and red.

Marigolds

Various species of these warm-hued annual plants serve different purposes in your garden. To eliminate nematodes and fend off whiteflies, French marigolds will do the trick. If you can’t keep pesky rabbits away, Mexican marigolds are a better choice.

Hyssop

Honeybee populations are vanishing right before our eyes, so take part in pollination stimulation by planting hyssop in your garden. This herbaceous plant will draw honeybees and rouse your senses of smell with its sweet aroma.

Petunia

In addition to enhancing your garden with brilliant hues of yellow, red, pink and purple, this popular flowering plant deters a variety of pests that damage your flowers and vegetables, including tomato worms, asparagus beetles, aphids and leafhoppers.

Lavender

Lavenders are known to naturally repel harmful insects like moths and fleas. Plus, this flowering plant’s fragrant scent will help transform your garden into an aromatherapeutic wonderland.

Chrysanthemum

It’s no wonder that the dried flower heads of chrysanthemums are used to create an all-natural pesticide called pyrethrum. These perennial flowering plants repel a multitude of insects like fleas, ticks, roaches, Japanese beetles, silverfish, ants and lice.

Nasturtium

Don’t let cucumber beetles, whiteflies, wooly aphids and squash bugs destroy your vegetable garden. Just plant some nasturtiums and watch them bloom in vivid shades of orange, yellow, pink and red as they repel these pesky insects.

Click here for more information. Not able to plant new shrubs? Try out some safe, nontoxic pesticides with these natural solutions to rid your garden of pests.

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Getting back to nature – same thing as roughing it? If you find yourself loathe to ditch your oh-so-self-indulgent rituals like “warmth”, “being clean” or “eating actual food” you’ll be delighted to pitch in with a hot new approach to the great outdoors – glamping. Luxury without ostentation, eco-tourism without eco-terrorism – and everything catered for so you can enjoy your surroundings without worrying if you’ll survive the night in them.

Solar-powered lighting, rainwater reuse and an organic menu make Canvas Chic an eco-friendly lodging, while antique décor, four-poster beds and oriental rugs make it luxurious. Located along the Ardeche River gorge in the Rhone-Alps region, the scenery is awe-inspiring.

At Ecocamp Patagonia in Chile, you can stay in domes that resemble the ancient dwellings of the native Kaweskar and soak in the stunning landscape of Torres del Paine National Park with activities like hiking, horseback riding and kayaking.

Looking for something a little closer to home? Just an hour outside San Francisco, Costanoa is set in the heart of nature among 30,000 acres of protected wilderness. Their spacious canvas bungalows seem more like cabins than tents with queen beds, windows and hardwood floors. (Image via Jazz Violin)

Built above the ground to catch the breeze off Jervis Bay, the safari style tents at Paperbark Camp in Australia are extravagant and eco-friendly, with spacious verandas, solar-powered lighting, insect screening and hardwood floors. Plus, guests can explore the bay and surrounding forest with complimentary canoes and bikes.

At Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, tents are equipped with their own fireplace, cozy bed, antique dresser and composting toilet. This stunning destination on Vancouver Island provides plenty of activities for its guests with library, lounge, spa, dining and games tents.

The Resort at Paws Up is nestled along the beautiful Blackfoot River in Montana. Lavish tents with king beds, stylish wall art and a personal butler make for a pampered stay, while activities like horseback riding and mountain biking cater to your adventurous side.

Not exotic enough for your seasoned taste? Take a journey into the Gobi Desert and stay at the Three Camel Lodge. Their deluxe gers feature wood stoves, hand-painted furniture and a king bed. Plus, they come stocked with Mongolian-style bathrobes, felt slippers and locally produced toiletries.

Main image: notsogoodphotography

Unless otherwise noted, images are the property of the corresponding, respective facilities.

Whenever I go shopping for linens, I always have a very specific idea in mind of what I want – flowers just so, or the perfect teal green. The problem is that even after scouring every store in the county, nothing I find ever really matches my mental image. So, taking inspiration from the methods of my favorite designers, I’ve begun to entertain the notion of creating my own. I’m no artist, so I was a little nervous about taking on such a project at first. But with a bit of research I learned this is definitely within the realm of DIY.

If you want to give color-blocking a try, just follow these easy steps:

1. Sketch a pattern onto a large piece of cardboard with a pencil. For the best results, avoid overly elaborate designs and stick to something simple until you’ve done a few pieces.

2. Once you’re satisfied with your design, cut it out with an exacto knife, including any details within the basic outline.

3. Iron the fabric and stretch it taut onto a smooth surface.

4. Fill a tray with eco-friendly fabric paint and use a roller to apply it generously and evenly to one side of the cardboard block.

5. Lay the cardboard block face down onto the fabric and gently cover it with newspaper. You may want to try a test run on a piece of scrap fabric first to make sure you’ll be satisfied with the outcome.

6. Apply pressure to the cardboard block while holding it firmly in place.

7. Pull off the newspaper and gently peel away the cardboard block.

8. Repeat the process until your once plain curtains, tablecloth, duvet cover or cloth napkins are pieces of handmade art. Before you know it you’ll be taking orders, girl!

9. One final note: before you wash your new and improved linens, make sure to set the design according to the instructions listed on the can of fabric paint.

For additional helpful instructions, visit Design Sponge.

Image: geishaboy500

Aluminum Cans
I’m a soda addict, and I can go through a 12-pack faster than a roll of toilet paper. Even if you only drink a couple throughout the week, add your significant other or roommates into the equation, and the cans can pile up pretty quickly. Instead of tossing them in your recycling bin, bag up your plethora of cans and bring them to your local recycling center for some extra cash. You can also take them to a reverse vending machine, as long as they’re not crushed.

Plastic Bottles

The same goes for plastic bottles. Keep in mind that the majority of recycling centers pay by the pound, so save gas by accumulating as many as possible before taking a trip.

Glass Bottles

In addition to aluminum cans and plastic bottles, you can also bring glass bottles to a nearby recycling center or reverse vending machine to get money back.

Printer Cartridges

Hang on to your empty printer cartridges and send them in to be recycled by eCycle Group or similar programs. While you’re at it, get your office in on the action, too. You can also bring them to a nearby Staples, but you’ll receive store credit instead of cash.

PCs and Laptops

Computers become obsolete quickly, and that means more outdated electronics in the landfill. But, it doesn’t have to be. Send in your old laptop or personal computer to Gazelle or search online for similar sites to get money back.

Cell Phones

My puppy recently mistook my cell phone for a chew toy. When I told a friend, she told me that I could send it in to Buy My Tronics for cash – even if it’s mangled beyond recognition.

iPods or MP3 Players

So, you upgraded to the iPod Touch, and you’re wondering what to do with your old MP3 player. That’s an easy one; there are a number of web sites that pay you to send it in, including You Renew.

Car Batteries

If your car battery goes dead, call the company you bought it from to determine their policy. Since dead batteries can be reused to manufacture new ones, many companies will pay you to bring your it back.

Digital Cameras

Get cash for your old digital camera by sending it to Gazelle or other similar programs.

Game Consoles

Have you outgrown your game console? Even if it’s broken, you can still send it in to Buy My Tronics or similar sites for cash.

Calculators

Sure, that heavy graphing calculator got you through accounting classes in college, but it hasn’t seen the light of day since. Get money back by sending it in to You Renew or similar programs.

CDs and DVDs

Trade them in at a local music store or send them in to sites like Second Spin to receive cash in return.

Books

Sell your old textbooks and novels to Cash 4 Books or similar programs.

Feeling really resourceful? You can also recycle…

Copper
Salvage copper from singed electric cords, leaky pipes and other sources, and bring it to a scrap metal center for cash. Chances are, what you manage to recover is worth more than a bag full of cans and bottles.

Brass
Like copper, brass is worth more than your typical recyclables. So, turn rusty old hinges, door knobs, plumbing fittings and more into cash at your local scrap metal center.

Images: bitpicture, shazari, Muffet, Ev0luti0nary, lainBuchanan, Rene Schroeder, strollers, thingsimade, infomatique, Ciaran McGuiggan, Ken@okinawa, automatthias, henrybloomfield,