Don’t Abuse Reuse

Some things are not meant to be reused and can actually endanger people’s health if they reuse them. In most cases, these items are plastics that are used for food and beverages. Plastics are generally made of oil and synthetic chemicals. If the plastic becomes worn scratches or heat, some of the chemicals can be released into the beverage or food. Plastic water bottle shouldn’t be reused for drinking water. They quickly break down and end up polluting whatever drink you’ve put into the bottle. A healthier option for both and the Earth is to buy a water bottle that is meant to be reused, like a stainless steel one. They’re more expensive, but they last for years. Over time you save money by not buying single-use plastic water bottles. If you do buy a plastic bottle of water, get creative and use it for a flower vase, a bird feeder, or a container for collections of rocks or marbles. You can also fill it with water and keep it in the freezer to use on bumps and sprains or to keep your food cool when you travel.

There are literally tons of old tires waiting to be reused, and they have found new lives as ground covering around playgrounds and crumb infill for artificial turf. Many people are excited that they can teach kids about reuse and protecting the environment while providing a durable, low-maintenance ground for playing on. However, the tires have ingredients that may be unsafe for children’s health. In addition, on hot, sunny days the tire pieces can heat up and burn children playing on it.