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Friday, February 24, 2017

Water conservation in the Home and Business

photocredit: en.wikipedia.org/wiki
United States postal stamp advocating water conservation.

Water conservation has become an essential practice in all regions, even in areas where water seems abundant.

In addition to saving money on your utility bill, water conservation helps prevent water pollution in nearby lakes, rivers and local watersheds.


1. Check faucets and pipes for leaks
A small drip from a worn faucet washer can waste 20 gallons of water per day. Larger leaks can waste hundreds of gallons.


Note: There are  countries use the metric system (liter) while other countries use English system (gallon). 

2. Don't use the toilet as an ashtray or wastebasket
Every time you flush a cigarette butt, facial tissue or other small bit of trash, five to seven gallons of water is wasted.


3. Check your toilets for leaks
Put a little food coloring in your toilet tank. If, without flushing, the color begins to appear in the bowl within 30 minutes, you have a leak that should be repaired immediately. Most replacement parts are inexpensive and easy to install.


4. Use your water meter to check for hidden water leaks
Read the house water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same, there is a leak.
5. Install water-saving shower heads and low-flow faucet aerators 
Inexpensive 
water-saving low-flow shower heads or restrictors are easy for the homeowner to install. Also, long, hot showers can use five to ten gallons every unneeded minute. Limit your showers to the time it takes to soap up, wash down and rinse off. "Low-flow" means it uses less than 2.5 gallons per minute.
You can easily install a 
ShowerStart showerhead, or add a ShowerStart converter to existing shower heads, which automatically pauses a running shower once it gets warm.
Also, all household faucets should be fit with 
aerators
. This single best home water conservation method is also the cheapest!

6. Put plastic bottles or float booster in your toilet tank

To cut down on water waste, put an inch or two of sand or pebbles inside each of two plastic bottles to weigh them down. Fill the bottles with water, screw the lids on, and put them in your toilet tank, safely away from the operating mechanisms. Or, buy an inexpensive 
tank bank or float booster. This may save ten or more gallons of water per day.

Be sure at least 3 gallons of water remain in the tank so it will flush properly. If there is not enough water to get a proper flush, users will hold the lever down too long or do multiple flushes to get rid of waste. Two flushings at 1.4 gallons is worse than a single 2.0 gallon flush. A better suggestion would be to buy an 
adjustable toilet flapperthat allow for adjustment of their per flush use.  Then the user can adjust the flush rate to the minimum per flush setting that achieves a single good flush each time.

For new installations, consider buying "low flush" toilets, which use 1 to 2 gallons per flush instead of the usual 3 to 5 gallons.

Replacing an 18 liter per flush toilet with an ultra-low volume (ULV) 6 liter flush model represents a 70% savings in water flushed and will cut indoor water use by about 30%.


7. Insulate your water pipes.
It's easy and inexpensive to
 insulate your water pipes with pre-slit foam pipe insulation. You'll get hot water faster plus avoid wasting water while it heats up.

8. Take shorter showers.
One way to cut down on water use is to turn off the shower after soaping up, then turn it back on to rinse. A four-minute shower uses approximately 20 to 40 gallons of water.

9. Turn off the water after you wet your toothbrush
There is no need to keep the water running while brushing your teeth. Just wet your brush and fill a glass for mouth rinsing.

10. Rinse your razor in the sink
Fill the sink with a few inches of warm water. This will rinse your razor just as well as running water, with far less waste of water.


11. Use your dishwasher and clothes washer for only full loads
Automatic dishwashers and clothes washers should be fully loaded for optimum water conservation. Most makers of dishwashing soap recomend not pre-rinsing dishes which is a big water savings.
With clothes washers, avoid the permanent press cycle, which uses an added 20 liters (5 gallons) for the extra rinse. For partial loads, adjust water levels to match the size of the load. Replace old clothes washers. New Energy Star rated washers use 35 - 50% less water and 50% less energy per load. If you're in the market for a new clothes washer, consider buying a water-saving 
frontload washer


12. Minimize use of kitchen sink garbage disposal units
In-sink 'garburators' require lots of water to operate properly, and also add considerably to the volume of solids in a septic tank which can lead to maintenance problems. Start a 
compost pile as an alternate method of disposing food waste. 

13. When washing dishes by hand, don't leave the water running for rinsing
If your have a double-basin, fill one with soapy water and one with rinse water. If you have a single-basin sink, gather washed dishes in a dish rack and rinse them with a spray device or a panful of hot water. 
Dual-swivel aerators are available to make this easier. If using a dishwasher, there is usually no need to pre-rinse the dishes.

14. Don't let the faucet run while you clean vegetables
Just rinse them in a stoppered sink or a pan of clean water. Use a 
dual-setting aerator.

15. Keep a bottle of drinking water in the fridge.

Running tap water to cool it off for drinking water is wasteful. Store drinking water in the fridge in a 
safe drinking bottle. If you are filling water bottles to bring along on outdoor hikes, consider buying a LifeStraw personal water filter which enables users to drink water safely from rivers or lakes or any available body of water.

credit/source: http://eartheasy.com/live_water_saving.htm

Water Conservation in the Yard and Garden

photocredit: en.wikipedia.org/wiki
United States postal stamp advocating water conservation.


1. Check for leaks in pipes, hoses, faucets and couplingsLeaks outside the house may not seem as bad since they're not as visible. But they can be just as wasteful as leaks indoors. Check frequently to keep them drip-free. Use hose washers at spigots and hose connections to eliminate leaks.

2. Don't run the hose while washing your car
Clean the car using a pail of soapy water. Use the hose only for rinsing - this simple practice can save as much as 150 gallons when washing a car. Use a spray nozzle when rinsing for more efficient use of water. 

Better yet, use a water-less car washing system; there are several brands, such as EcoTouch, which are now on the market.
 Note: Only a suggestion and if available in your area.

3. Use a broom, not a hose, to clean driveways and sidewalks. This can save several gallons of water.


4. Don't water the gutter
Position your sprinklers so water lands on the lawn or garden, not on paved areas. Also, avoid watering on windy days.


5. Water during the early parts of the day; avoid watering when it's windy
Early morning is generally better than dusk since it helps prevent the growth of fungus. Early watering, and late watering, also reduce water loss to evaporation. Watering early in the day is also the best defence against slugs and other garden pests. Try not to water when it's windy - wind can blow sprinklers off target and speed evaporation.

6. Add organic matter and use efficient watering systems for shrubs, flower beds and lawns
Adding organic material to your soil will help increase its absorption and water retention. Areas which are already planted can be 'top dressed' with compost or organic matter.
You can greatly reduce the amount of water used for shrubs, beds and lawns by:
- the strategic placement of 
soaker hoses6. 
- installing a 
rain barrel water catchment system
- installing a simple 
drip-irrigation system
Avoid over-watering plants and shrubs, as this can actually diminish plant health and cause yellowing of the leaves.
When hand watering, use a 
variable spray nozzle
 for targeted watering.


7. Put a layer of mulch around trees and plants
Mulch will slow evaporation of moisture while discouraging weed growth. Adding 2 - 4 inches of organic material such as compost or bark mulch will increase the ability of the soil to retain moisture. Press the mulch down around the dripline of each plant to form a slight depression which will prevent or minimize water runoff.
For information about different mulch materials and their best use, 
click here.



8. Plant drought-resistant lawns, shrubs and plants
If you are planting a new lawn, or overseeding an existing lawn, use drought-resistant grasses such as the new
"Eco-Lawn".
Many beautiful shrubs and plants thrive with far less watering than other species. Replace herbaceous perennial borders with native plants. Native plants will use less water and be more resistant to local plant diseases. Consider applying the principles of 
xeriscape for a low-maintenance, drought resistant yard.
Plant slopes with plants that will retain water and help reduce runoff.
Group plants according to their watering needs.



9. Water your lawn only when it needs it
A good way to see if your lawn needs watering is to step on the grass. If it springs back up when you move, it doesn't need water. If it stays flat, the lawn is ready for watering. Letting the grass grow taller (to 3") will also promote water retention in the soil.
Most lawns only need about 1" of water each week. During dry spells, you can stop watering altogether and the lawn will go brown and dormant. Once cooler weather arrives, the morning dew and rainfall will bring the lawn back to its usual vigor. This may result in a brown summer lawn, but it saves a lot of water.




9. Deep-soak your lawn
When watering the lawn, do it long enough for the moisture to soak down to the roots where it will do the most good. A light sprinkling can evaporate quickly and tends to encourage shallow root systems. Put an empty tuna can on your lawn - when it's full, you've watered about the right amount. Visit our 
natural lawn care page for more information. 

10. Water during the early parts of the day
; avoid watering when it's windy
Early morning is generally better than dusk since it helps prevent the growth of fungus. Early watering, and late watering, also reduce water loss to evaporation. Watering early in the day is also the best defense against slugs and other garden pests. Try not to water when it's windy - wind can blow sprinklers off target and speed evaporation.
 


Water conservation comes naturally when everyone in the family is aware of its importance, and parents take the time to teach children some of the simple water-saving methods around the home and /or business establishments which can make a big difference.

credit/source: http://eartheasy.com/live_water_saving.htm


11, Do not over-water your lawns and do not water any faster than the soil can absorb.

12. Read your house/business water in your meter at regular interval when no water is being used  and check for hidden leaks.

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Meet the fog catcher bringing water to the poor


credit/source: facebook.com and BBC News This process can be done by a community especially people living in the mountain and water is scarce.This can become water drinkable if treated.

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Water Conservation Summary


photocredit: en.wikipedia.org/wiki
United States postal stamp advocating water conservation.
In 1990, 30 states in the US reported 'water-stress' conditions. In 2000, the number of states reporting water-stress rose to 40. In 2009, the number rose to 45. There is a worsening trend in water supply nationwide. Taking measures at home to conserve water not only saves you money, it also is of benefit to the greater community.

Saving water at home does not require any significant cost outlay. Although there are water-saving appliances and water conservation systems such as rain barrels, drip irrigation and on-demand water heaters which are more expensive, the bulk of water saving methods can be achieved at little cost. For example, 75% of water used indoors is in the bathroom, and 25% of this is for the toilet. The average toilet uses 4 gallons per flush (gpf). You can invest in a ULF (ultra-low flush) toilet which will use only 2 gpf. But you can also install a simple tank bank, costing about $2, which will save .8 gpf. This saves 40% of what you would save with the ULF toilet. Using simple methods like tank banks, low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators you can retrofit your home for under$50.

By using water-saving features you can reduce your in-home water use by 35%. This means the average household, which uses 130,000 gallons per year, coulod save 44,00 gallons of water per year. On a daily basis, the average household, using 350 gallons per day, could save 125 gallons of water per day. The average individual, currently using 70 gallons per day, could save 25 gallons of water per day.

When buying low-flow aerators, be sure to read the label for the actual 'gpm' (gallons per minute) rating. Often, the big box retailers promote "low-flow" which are rated at 2.5 gpm, which is at the top of the low-flow spectrum. This may be needed for the kitchen sink, but we find that a 1.5 gpm aerator works fine for the bathroom sink and most water outlets, delivering the same spray force in a comfortable, soft stream. Eartheasy's online store carries a full range of low-flow aerators and showerheads.

Finally, it should be noted that installing low-flow aerators, showerheads, tank banks and other water-saving devices usually is a very simple operation which can be done by the homeowner and does not even require the use of tools. Water conservation at home is one of the easiest measures to put in place, and saving water should become part of everday family practice.


credit/source: http://eartheasy.com/live_water_saving.htm

Treat your wastewater at home as a suggestion

photocredit: en.wikipedia.org/wiki
United States postal stamp advocating water conservation.
  Note: This is only a suggestion for a household or community who does it at home in a regular basis. If not, just find ways water used in the laundry and kitchen to reuse water.
Treat your wastewater at home:

Generally speaking, all that water that trickles down the drain after you use it can actually be a boon for the garden. Commonly referred to as wastewater (or blackwater and greywater), leftover water from the bathroom, kitchen and laundry is mixed with detergents, oil and dirt and is generally not appropriate for use in the garden in its waste form. However, with proper filtering and treatment it can be highly beneficial for crops.
In a broad sense, blackwater can defined as wastewater that originates from toilets and bathrooms containing human waste and urine. This water is highly contaminated and should be treated as sewage. Greywater is wastewater from sinks, washing machines, showers and bathtubs. It contains far less contaminants than blackwater and can be treated via various at-home filtration techniques for use in your backyard. Exact defintions of blackwater and greywater vary and it would be worthwhile checking with your local authority to determine exactly which categories your wastewater falls into.
Sound complicated? It’s actually simpler than you think and your set up doesn’t need to be high-tech. Researchers in Kolkata tested a variety of water filtration systems and found that even the most poorly performing ones still treated water to levels acceptable for use in the garden, while the video below (taken in Bangalore) breaks it down very neatly.
credit/source: https://en.reset.org/act/save-water-reduce-your-water-footprint?gclid=CjwKEAiAz4XFBRCW87vj6-28uFMSJAAHeGZbcI4CY8CTf-G7lADDfP234oaAw9l2N5MX_SaD1K2nfRoCPIfw_wcB
MY Note:  Don't use the toilet as an ashtray or wastebasket.
Every time you flush a cigarette butt, facial tissue or other small bit of trash, five to seven gallons of water is wasted and can make your toilet clog. If that happen
 it will give you a big headache for declogging worse repair.

Just click the a link in youtube.com a video idea for Treating kitchen waste water for reuse or for a community based purpose:
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joVL70wtLAs

What is Water Footprint and Rain Water Harvesting

photo: en.reset.org/

How to reduce your water footprint

Broadly speaking, you can reduce your direct water footprint by:
  • installing water saving toilets;
  • applying a water-saving shower head;
  • turning off the tap while brushing your teeth;
  • using less water in the garden; and
  • not disposing of medicines, paints or other pollutants down the sink.
  • Automatic faucet is a water conservation faucet that eliminates water waste at the faucet. It automates the use of faucets without the use of hands. Automatic faucets are common in public washrooms, particularly in malls, airports and hotels, where they are supposed to reduce water consumption..

Household applications

Commercial applications

Agricultural applications

Water Reuse

We couldn’t broach the subject of managing water consumption in a more sustainable way without paying lip service to the act of collecting and storing rainwater for reuse, commonly referred to as rainwater harvesting. India has a long history of rainwater catching and storage with archaeologists discovering more than 60,000 rainwater harvesting structures in the country dating back as far as the third century BC.
Whether dwelling in the city or the country, rainwater harvesting allows you to take control of and monitor your direct water use. The Centre for Science and Environment has a detailed step-by-step guide for setting up your own rainwater harvesting system. Check here to get started.
credit/source: https://en.reset.org/act/save-water-reduce-your-water-footprint?gclid=CjwKEAiAz4XFBRCW87vj6-28uFMSJAAHeGZbcI4CY8CTf-G7lADDfP234oaAw9l2N5MX_SaD1K2nfRoCPIfw_wcB

WATER Conservation, What does it mean?

photocredit: en.wikipedia.org/wiki
United States postal stamp advocating water conservation.
Introduction:  Definition
Water conservation includes all the policies, strategies and activities made to sustain and  manage the natural resource fresh water, to protect the water environment, and to meet the current and future human demand. Population, household size, and growth and affluence all affect how much water is used. Factors such as climate change have increased pressures on natural water resources especially in manufacturing and agricultural irrigation.[1] Many US cities have already implemented policies aimed at water conservation, with much success.[2]
The goals of water conservation efforts include:

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Water.org Philippines

Water.org Philippines
photo credit; water.org





Water.org Philippines

About Water.org
Water.org is a U.S.-based non-governmental organization working to increase access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). Water.org has been in operation since 1990, implementing sustainable and scalable water and sanitation programs in conjunction with local partners, particularly financial institutions. Water.org has expanded its WaterCredit initiative over the last several years, which works by building the capacity of carefully selected local financial institutions to offer affordable financing for water and sanitation facilities. WaterCredit programs support financial institutions through a combination of financial assistance and technical support. Since 2003, Water.org has implemented WaterCredit programs with 52 partner financial institutions in 9 countries, facilitating 520,000 water and sanitation loans totaling over $120 million.
Water.org has overseas offices in Chennai, Dhaka, Nairobi, Lima, and Jakarta. Water.org is in the process of opening an office in Manila and launching WaterCredit programs in the Philippines. Water.org has already partnered with four local financial institutions and seeks to build additional partnerships with financial institutions as well as water and sanitation service providers to increase investment in the water and sanitation sector.
credit/source: https://pinoyjobs.ph/employer/water-org-philippines/

Monday, February 13, 2017

The Water & Sanitation Crisis in the Philippines

Water.org Philippines
photo:credit  water.org

The Water & Sanitation Crisis in the Philippines

Out of 101 million Filipinos, 8 million rely on unimproved, unsafe and unsustainable water sources and 26.5 million lack access to improved sanitation. 5.8 million Filipinos in rural areas still practice open defecation.
The consequences of this lack of access are dire. There are 520,000 cases of waterborne diseases recorded annually. Eighteen Filipinos die daily from diarrhea and other water-borne diseases. 55 Filipinos die daily from diseases caused by lack of proper sewerage and sanitation facilities.
Families without a safe water source in or near their home often spend significant time and energy collecting water. Those without a sanitary toilet facility at home face a number of unattractive choices. Venture into the dark rice paddies or sugar cane fields, risking snakebites, robbery or even sexual assault, hold it until morning, or suffer the embarrassment of asking to borrow the toilet of a neighbor or relative. Others defecate in nearby rivers or streams, contaminating local water sources. Thus, Filipinos consider water and sanitation access a matter of safety, pride, progress, and convenience, in addition to the health considerations.
While about 75 percent of surveyed Filipinos expressed an interest in a WASH loan, previously few banks or microfinance institutions offered loans specifically tailored to this purpose. In addition to funding, low-income families also often lack the knowledge to navigate the complicated process of procuring a municipal water connection, registering a legal tube well, or constructing a safe, sanitary toilet facility.

OUR IMPACT

In 2014, Water.org expanded WaterCredit to the Philippines with the support of the Caterpillar Foundation and Swiss Re Foundation. We now work with six different microfinance institutions, providing philanthropic and technical support to build their capacity to provide a variety of water and sanitation solutions in urban and rural communities. In 2015 and 2016, partners conducted research, trained staff, designed their loan products and executed lending pilots.
Programs with our six partners are in full swing. We are expanding our partnerships, and by the end of 2018, we aim to reach more than one million people with safe water and sanitation. In addition, we are developing innovative approaches to working with municipal water utilities and developing new toilet models, so even more low-income Filipinos can enjoy safe water and the dignity of a toilet.
credit/source: http://water.org/country/philippines/

Ways to Recycle part 2

Learning to recycle and waste less is important for keeping our planet green. If you care about the environment, there are tons of easy ways to help out by recycling everyday items! Check out the top 10 ways to recycle in time for Earth Day this April 22nd!
When you start looking, you may see ways to recycle everywhere!When you start looking, you may see ways to recycle everywhere!Courtesy of stitchandwire.com

No.10: Reuse Plastic Bags

Often plastic shopping bags get used once and thrown away, but that bag can be used for future groceries or as a garbage bag.

No.9: Buy Rechargeable Batteries

Batteries are filled with toxic materials that are terrible for the environment, so go green by buying batteries that you can recharge. There are also special companies that will collect your old batteries and recycle them safely.

No.8: Recycling at School

It’s easy to remember to recycle at home, but what about school? If your school doesn’t already have recycling bins, ask your teacher or administrator if they can get them or make one yourself – in fact, recycling can be a great project for the whole class.

No.7: Spending Green

Support eco-friendly companies by buying products made from recycled material – this could be anything from pencils and paper to wallets and clothing!

No.6:  Electronics and the Earth

What do you do when your with your phone when it finally goes kaput? Don't just toss it in the trash, many cellphone providers will recycle your phone for you when you get a new one and if not, go online and find your nearest electronics recycling depot. They can recycle everything from laptops to phones!

No.5: Compost the Most

Ask your parents or your school to start a compost. All your biodegradable food garbage – like egg shells and banana peels – will soon turn to soil that is great for planting.
re use old jars and containers by storing your art supplies in themre use old jars and containers by storing your art supplies in them

No.4: Sheets, Towels and Clothing

Old sheets, towels and clothing can be donated to charity to be sold in thrift stores, or to an animal shelter as bedding and cleaning materials.

No.3: Get Crafty!

If you’re artistic you probably already know that there are a million ways to reuse jars, tubs and paper. A few crafts that include recycled materials are paper mache pinatas using old newspapers, painting using old jars, tin cans and plastic containers and using old magazines to make collages.

No.2: Green Thumb

If you’re not just green but also have a green thumb, you might want to try making old 2-liter pop bottles and empty jars into planters for flowers and herbs.
Use your old pop bottles to make planters for flowers and herbsUse your old pop bottles to make planters for flowers and herbs

No.1: Recycle Every Day

The best way to recycle is to do it every day in your home and wherever you go. Remember to sort newspapers and magazines, plastic containers and bottles and assorted paper into your recycling and urge your friends and family to look out for ways to recycle too!
credit/source: http://www.kidzworld.com/article/26804-top-10-ways-to-recycle

Saturday, February 11, 2017

Tips and Ways to Recycle

Earth-Day
photo: centerforcardonations.com

 In 2007, Office Depot compiled a list of the top 10 ways to recycle at home and in the office.
  1. Buy recycled paper and print on both sides. When using paper in the office, print on both sides of the sheet and recycle the paper when you are finished. By recycling one ton of paper, you can save 17 trees, almost 7,000 gallons of water and more than three cubic yards of landfill space.
  2. Recycle your outdated technology. According to EPA, Americans throw out two million tons of e-waste each year. Avoid adding to that waste by recycling your old technology. For more information on electronic recycling, visit http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/recycle/ecycling/donate.htm.
  3. Make recycling bins readily available. Make sure your home and office are outfitted with recycling bins for paper, plastic and metal. Keep them out in the open and label them appropriately. Sometimes the convenience factor is all that is needed.
  4. Recycle your empty ink and toner cartridges. Almost eight cartridges are thrown out in the United States every second of every day. That's almost 700,000 cartridges per day.
  5. Buy re manufactured ink and toner cartridges. Each remanufactured cartridge keeps approximately 2.5 pounds of metal and plastic out of landfills and saves about a half gallon of oil.
  6. Recycle old newspapers laying around the office. When finished reading the newspaper, either leave it for someone else to read or recycle it.
  7. Look for the recycled option in all the products you buy. It's not just paper that is recycled.
  8. Buy rechargeable batteries. It takes 1,000 regular batteries to equal the lifespan of one rechargeable battery. When you are discarding your batteries, recycle them.
  9. Purchase rewritable CDs and DVDs so that you can reuse them from project to project.
  10. Reuse your morning coffee cup. Or better yet, buy a mug to avoid the waste caused by throwing away the paper or Styrofoam.
credit/source: https://eponline.com/Articles/2007/11/12/Tips-Top-Ten-Ways-to-Recycle.aspx
Courtesy of Environmental  Piotection

Friday, February 10, 2017

22 Ways to Reuse Paper

Photo: Carly Lesser & Art Drauglis


Do you feel guilty tossing stacks of flyers, scrap paper, and junk mail into the recycling bin? All that perfectly good paper, hardly even used. What a waste! Recycling is good, but it still takes energy and creates waste and emissions. The good thing is, there are plenty of things you can do to reuse paper before recycling it. (See also: 17 Ways to Use Old Newspaper)

1. Printing
Yes, it’s obvious, but it surprises me how many people don’t bother with printing on the back of scrap computer paper. Use scrap paper to print coupons, directions, meeting minutes, shopping lists, and other necessities. To make it easier, keep a tray of scrap paper next to the printer for easy access.

2. Pet Cage Liner

Newspaper and junk mail is perfect for lining a bird cage or shredding for hamster bedding. Just be sure that the paper you use is printed with non-toxic ink (brown paper bags and black and white newspaper is usually fine).

3. Woven Basket

Design*Sponge recently showcased an easy tutorial for reusing your brown packing paper (ubiquitous in Amazon shipments, for example) to weave this beautiful recycled paper basket. Use the paper basket to corral your junk mail or to hold scrap paper for further reuse!

4. Doodle Pad

Tear used computer paper (printed on one side) into quarters and stack them (or clip them) neatly by the telephone for doodling while you’re on hold, or for jotting down messages.

5. Origami

Used wrapping paper, greeting cards, the comic section of the newspaper, and even colorful junk mail can be used to fold all sorts of cute origami, from jewelry boxes to paper cranes to adorable origami cat bookmarks. Chocolate bar tablets used to be wrapped in gold or silver paper that was perfect for origami, but I've noticed that this isn't as common anymore.

6. Beads for Jewelry

Old magazines and wrapping paper can be rolled into pretty paper beads to make unique jewelry. There’s an easy paper-bead tutorial at HowStuffWorks. This would be a fun project for kids as well.

7. Light a Fire

We usually save brown paper bags, packing paper, and newspaper for the fireplace, but again, make sure that the paper is printed with non-toxic inks.

8. Wall Art

Frame pretty patterned wrapping paper (or greeting cards, or wallpaper) in simple frames for a boost of color in your home. Alternatively, use wrapping paper as matting for photos, create a garland or bunting to hang on the wall, or frame interesting magazine covers.

9. Paper-Mache Piñata

One of my family’s traditions was to create a paper-mache piñata for birthday parties. Ours were usually simple paper-mache balls filled with candy, but you could fancy yours up and make them all sorts of fantastic shapes (one year, I made a roly-poly pig using a balloon and toilet paper rolls as a frame). Kids love whacking the piñata with a bat and gathering the goodies at parties. Check out this easy video tutorial for making a piñata.

10. Gift Wrap

Reuse comics, sheet music, or even plain brown packing paper to wrap gifts. You can pretty them up with gift tags made from scrap paper and leftover ribbons. For small gifts, a fun idea is to use business envelopes turned inside-out to wrap a gift, showing the pretty blue or gray security pattern inside.

11. Window Cleaning

Nothing beats good ol’ newspaper and vinegar for sparkling, streak-free windows.

12. Garden Mulch

Non-toxic newsprint can be an excellent mulch for your garden plants. Tear the newspaper into strips and put a layer around your plants to keep the soil moist and deter weeds. The newspaper will eventually break down and enrich the soil. If you think this looks unsightly, use it only in the backyard vegetable garden, or add a layer of bark chips over the top to make it look prettier.

13. Compost

Newspaper can be an integral part of a well-balanced compost pile and counts as a carbon-rich (or “brown” component). Tear the newspaper into strips or small pieces to help it break down faster. Again, use only newspaper or paper with non-toxic inks (no glossy magazines).
14. Drop Cloth
Save newspaper and junk mail to use as a drop cloth for your painting and crafting projects.

15. Paper Dolls

Stiff cardstock (such as the back of greeting cards) can be cut into simple paper dolls, and then colorful wrapping paper or leftover computer paper can be fashioned into an entire wardrobe. Draw the dolls yourself, or find an easy template online.

16. Paper Wreath and Paper Mache

Martha Stewart has this idea for using the pages of an old book to create the leaves for this beautiful paper wreath, perfect for gracing your front door. 

17. Gift Basket Filling

Shred colorful wrapping and tissue paper and use it as filler in DIY gift baskets or Easter baskets that you make with the kids.

18. Seedling Pots

Use leftover paper egg cartons or toilet paper rolls that have been folded on the bottom to start your own seeds for the garden. They’re perfect since they supply good drainage and aeration. Since the “seedling pots” are biodegradable, you can just break them up and bury them when you plant the seedlings in your garden.

19. Cable and Junk Organizers

Toilet and paper towel rolls are perfect for organizing computer cables and corralling other random stuff. Cut a slit in one side of the roll, and then slip rolled-up cables into the toilet paper “sleeve.” You can also use this to organize craft supplies such as ribbons and string, and keep your wrapping paper rolls from unrolling. Flattened rolls can be used to store knives.

20. Ripen Fruit

Place unripe fruit in a paper bag or wrap in newspaper to help it to ripen more quickly.

21. Homemade Cards

A sweet way to reuse greeting cards is to cut out the pictures (pretty flowers, birds, and other images) and use them to create a new card. You might reuse last year's Christmas card from your grandma to make a new card to send her this year, for example.

22. Packing Material

If you can’t find another creative use for your junk mail, just scrunch it up and use it to pack a box.  Some thrift stores may also accept paper donations for wrapping up fragile objects when they’re sold.
Don’t forget to reduce the amount of paper that comes through your household by opting out of junk mail, and going paperless for bills if your area offers it. If you subscribe to magazines, offer them to a friend who might be interested in reading them before you toss them in the recycling bin. Donate or sell used books. 
Please, never throw perfectly good paper into the trash. We have enough paper already lining our landfills, and we already cut down enough trees to make “virgin” paper products.
credit/source: http://www.wisebread.com/22-ways-to-reuse-paper
Courtesy of Wise Bread