I grew up in a thrifty home but didn’t know it for years. As I learned more about frugality, I realized how smart my family was about making every penny count, even when they didn’t have to. I remember wearing plastic white-bread bags over my socks and inside my boots during the winter. I have no idea whether my friends wore them, too. I only know they kept my feet warm and dry.
I share ideas for reusing household items because they’re simple to include in your daily life, and reducing waste is one way to create your legacy. Even the little things you do can have a ripple effect. In the American Folk Art Museum in New York City, there’s a crocheted rug on display that is made entirely of shredded Wonder Bread bags, but you don’t have to go that far.
According to research by the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, food can be contaminated when it comes into contact with the lead-containing ink used on the outside of some bread bags. The researchers conclude that while using an inverted bag isn’t an immediate health concern, you should avoid reusing inside-out bread bags to store food. Some people, when reusing bread bags, turn them inside out because they believe that the outside is cleaner. It’s not. But reusing a bread bag with the ink-side out is OK. You can recycle these plastic bags, but first look for ways to reuse them.
FOR PETS: Dispose of pet waste. Some people use them to dispose of cat litter, and others carry them in their pocket when walking their dogs.
FOOD: Instead of grabbing a plastic baggie or plastic wrap to keep foods fresh, use a free bread bag. Cut a bag to cover a small bowl of leftovers, or place foods like muffins or rolls inside. Reuse bread bags to pack lunches that you take to work.
DIAPERS: Use them to wrap stinky disposable diapers. Knot the ends to prevent the smell from permeating your house.
CLOTHING: Add a couple to your suitcase or beach bag for dirty, wet clothing.
CAR: Fold one up and stick it in your glove box so you have a spare bag for last-minute cleanups or surprise messes.
COATING: Put flour or breadcrumbs in them to shake and coat your meat or poultry.
GLOVES: Use them to cover your hands for dirty jobs such as cleaning toilets or animal cages.
SHOPPING BAGS: Reuse them as produce bags when grocery shopping.
PADDING: Use bread bags when you need extra padding to pack items in a box.
HOME SPA: Use them to cover your feet after moisturizing or on your hands after using paraffin wax.
FOOD WASTE: They’re handy for putting meat and poultry bones in before tossing in the trash.
BREAD TABS: Don’t throw these away. Use them as scrapers for dishes and counters. They’re also great as bookmarks. Or attach one to a roll of tape so it doesn’t fold over. They’re perfect for closing open plastic bags, such as rice bags.
译文:
这是一个充满“Wonder”的世界
我成长在一个节俭的家庭，但是直到几年后我才知道这一点。随着我越来越学会节俭，我意识到我的家庭在合理使用每一便士方面是多么聪明，即便他们并不需要这么做。我还记得在冬天，我在靴子和袜子之间会套一个装白面包的塑料袋。我不知道我的朋友们是否也穿这个。我只知道他们让我的脚又干又暖。
我分享对于家庭用品的再利用是因为他们在你的日常生活中随处可见，而且减少浪费是创造遗赠物的一种方法。你做的再小的事也可以掀起一点波纹。在纽约的美国人民艺术博物馆里，正在展出一块完全由Wonder牌面包的袋子撕成条编织而成的毯子，但是你不用走那么远。
根据新泽西医学及牙科大学的罗伯特·伍德·约翰逊医学院的调查研究显示，如果面包与包装袋外面含铅的墨水接触的话，食物就会被污染。研究人员总结道：使用里外反向的袋子实际上不是对健康的关心，你应该避免再利用翻转的面包袋来装食物。有些人在再利用面包袋时，把它们反过来用，因为他们相信外面更干净一点。但其实不是的。但是再利用一个面包袋，把有墨水的一面翻在外面是可以的。你可以回收这些塑料袋，但是先想好怎么再利用它们。
给宠物用：处理宠物的排泄物。有人用它们处理猫的垃圾，有些则在遛狗的时候带着。
食物：用一个免费的面包袋来取代抓个塑料保鲜袋或塑料保鲜膜保存食物的方法。把袋子切割开覆盖在一个装剩菜的小碗上，或者把诸如松饼或蛋卷之类的食品放在袋子里。再利用面包袋来装你要带到单位的午餐。
尿布：用它们来装臭臭的尿布。在尾部打个结防止臭味弥漫整个屋子。
衣物：在你的行李或者海滨游泳袋中放两只，用来装脏的、湿漉漉的衣服。
汽车：把一个袋子折叠起来，放在你的手套箱里，这样你就可以在最后清理或者意外弄脏车子时有一个备用的。
被褥：把面粉或面包屑放在里面，摇一摇然后涂在肉上或者喂家禽。
手套：在做象打扫厕所或动物笼舍这类脏活时把它们戴在手上。
购物袋：买杂货的时候再利用它们作为商品袋。
衬垫：在你装箱需要额外的衬垫来包裹东西时可以用它们。
家庭SPA：补水后将它们包在腿上或者你的手上完固体石蜡后包在手上。
食物消耗：放肉和进入垃圾箱之前的家禽骨头，用它们是很方便的。
面包标签：不要扔了它们。用它们刮盘子和柜台就不错。它们也是很好的书签。或者把它们贴到一卷磁带上这样它就不会折起来了。它们也是修复塑料袋开口的完美选择，比如米袋。