Green Blog
13 October 2011
Hoarders anonymous: how one person's trash is another's treasure
My name's Melanie and I'm a hoarder. Yes, one of those people who can't bear to throw anything away because we know it'll come in handy some day.
I'm talking about past birthday cards and flyers with cool designs, used wrapping paper, mismatched buttons, leftover fabric and bits of ribbon. It's not rubbish - it's just waiting to be transformed.
But all that treasure potential does pile up. This was brought into sharp focus when I moved home recently. There's nothing like lugging all your possessions up and down several flights of stairs to make you question whether you really need them.
Fortunately, since I got hold of 'Junk for Joy', turning my clutter into useful stuff got a whole lot easier. This lovely craft book is crammed full of great ideas and easy step-by-step instructions - things like a lampshade made from a Paris street map and old floppy discs (remember them?) glued together to make a pencil pot.
I was especially delighted to see a picture frame decorated with beads from discarded jewellery. Only last week I chased dozens of stray pearls around the living room after my necklace suddenly disintegrated - I knew I'd find another use for them.
There are bigger projects too, such as giving battered old furniture a makeover. These helped me update a seriously scratched and ugly table into a beautiful spearmint green item I'm proud to own.
I also get regular inspiration from my colleague Rita's tips of the day - how to find a new lease of life for stuff like carpet scraps and ice cream cartons.
As we hoarders know, there's a way of re-using everything.
You can indulge your own junk habit by signing up to our free daily green tips or buying a copy of 'Junk for Joy' - proceeds help support Friends of the Earth's campaigns.
Just in time to get cracking on DIY Christmas presents and justify that bulging bag of wine corks in your kitchen cupboard.
Melanie Kramers, Communications & Media team
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