Pipe cleaners . . .

[Airborne]

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[Milan]

We are wasteful beings. I use a pipe cleaner after every smoke and throw it away, but... there have been times where I've used a pipe cleaner over and over. Never washed them out though. That's awesome! My enlaws use paper towels for days on end. They lived through some tough times and reuse everything until it absolutely has to be thrown away. Probably the best way to live to be honest? Interesting story though. Thanks for sharing it.
Milan

 

[Kyle Weiss]

It is a great story. Necessity is the mother of all invention, and if that's the case, ingenuity is the father...always finding ways to re-use that which we perceive as disposable. Look at clay pipes a few hundred years ago, before briar: they were disposable. Some folks would use them once and throw them out, but others would make them last, if they could.

I get in trouble all the time because I save jars, lids, containers, spice containers and shakers, margarine tubs--yes, even pipe cleaners. If I keep my pipes clean enough in the routine, I can use just one cleaner for as many as five pipes (if there's a backlog of "to clean" pipes). Clothing becomes washrags (flannel shirts become pipe polish rags!), photography base (for covering up ugly surfaces), fish tank water goes into plants... I "recycle" every day in my own way, and cans never make their way to my house--bottles go to home brewer friends, and sometimes come back filled if I'm lucky. :lol:

I've seen some amazing changes in my life in three short decades, huge ups and massive downs, and I never could shake my "have to use stuff" mentality.

With the exception of paper-cleanup goods: Paper towels are great ways to keep contamination down in the kitchen, but one towel gets used for a lot of cleaning before it goes away.

 

[Airborne]

I'm too lazy to wash them out now! :evil: :evil: :evil: They're so cheap!

 

[Rob_In_MO]

I get in trouble all the time because I save jars, lids, containers, spice containers and shakers, margarine tubs--yes, even pipe cleaners. If I keep my pipes clean enough in the routine, I can use just one cleaner for as many as five pipes (if there's a backlog of "to clean" pipes). Clothing becomes washrags (flannel shirts become pipe polish rags!), photography base (for covering up ugly surfaces), fish tank water goes into plants... I "recycle" every day in my own way, and cans never make their way to my house--bottles go to home brewer friends, and sometimes come back filled if I'm lucky. :lol:

Good to hear, Kyle. Now I don't feel so bad. Although I primarily store bulk blends in Mason Jars, I also have quite a few other jars as well. When originally purchased, these used to contain Spaghetti Sauce, Pickles, Coffee, you name it.

Socks with holes make great polishing rags for the bike. Empty 2-Liter soda bottles make great bird feeders. Fish Tank water goes on the garden. Yup, you're not alone here. Empty CBW Tins make great Pencil/Pen/Marker holders. My daughter loves putting small toys in empty Cigar Boxes (also works for storing Crayons).

We should start a new thread - 'The Official BOB Recycling Thread'. It's amazing how so many items can be recycled and reused.

 

[Kyle Weiss]

We should start a new thread - 'The Official BOB Recycling Thread'. It's amazing how so many items can be recycled and reused.

The original, old-school recycling and "green"-- using stuff beyond its original intent. Grandparents did it, why can't we? 8) Anyone else think a junk/cracked/helplessly stinky set of pipes couldn't be used for a cool windchime? :lol:

This thread could be fine, provided the original author mentions something about reusing other objects...

 

[smokey422]

I only use my pipe cleaners once and don't wash them out. By doing so, I figure I am keeping more people employed in the pipe cleaner industry.

Smokey

 

[TommyGun76]

I might have to try washing mine out , I'm thrifty and saving a few bucks every now and again could add to my PAD and TAD fund !