Back in the day, before I realised what an ecological nightmare they were, I used to yoink the mini shampoo bottles, soaps and leftover shower caps from hotel bathrooms, particularly when we stayed in fancy hotels and they came in interesting bottles and smelled of great things. I built up quite a collection and I know I’m not alone in doing so (hi mum!).

These days we take our own (full size or thereabouts) supplies with us when we go away but I’m also still working through the stack of these little bottles in the back of the bathroom cupboard.

Aside from refilling the empties for gym/spa/pool sessions when you don’t want to lug a full bottle of shampoo or shower gel, does anyone have any other suggestions for reusing these little single-use-size critters?

A couple of our friends smoke and while they usually roll their own, occasionally a cardboard hard pack ends up floating about too and it makes me wonder what they can be re-used for – since they’re pretty sturdy but light constructions.

Spies in films use them for hiding bugs or recording equipment in, but what about us lesser, real-life mortals?

Any suggestions?

(Photo by logic)

I’ve had another email from Sally Harrop:

We have a large amount of student furniture (beds, desks, lamps, chairs etc) to dispose of – 250 rooms worth. Can anyone suggest anywhere this may be usable?

Sally is based in Bradford and since I’m down the road in Leeds, I’ve already suggested a few local furniture charities to her: CHASBradford, Emmaus Leeds, and Poverty Aid. I know there are other smaller ones too but these seem to be three of the biggest furniture charities in the West Yorkshire area, so are probably more likely to be able to handle this large amount of furniture.

University accommodation departments and hotels around the country, indeed around the world, must find themselves in this position quite a lot. The obvious answer is for them to keep using the furniture until the end of its life but that’s not always realistic in these situations for one reason or another. So feel free to suggest any links to furniture reusing/recycling charities – especially ones that can handle large amounts of stock in one go – and say what geographical area they cover, in case anyone else in Sally’s position needs some inspiration.

(Photo by moria)

If you live anywhere near Dewsbury, West Yorks (in the UK) and like music, real ale and sausages, you should head down to the pub in the train station this weekend for their “Beer, Bangers and Blues” festival.

How does this link to recycling, you might be saying to yourself? Well, John’s “acoustic folk-country-scifi-gospel fusion band” The Gillroyd Parade are playing on Saturday and like all good acoustic folk-country-scifi-gospel fusion bands, harmonicas are used quite liberally throughout the set.

I didn’t know until recently that harmonicas have a limited life span. I just assumed they were like trumpets or whatever – with care they’ll last for years and years – but the reeds inside harmonicas get warped quite easily (particularly when the player bends notes) and once they’re damaged, that’s pretty much it unless you want to play bum notes.

So what can be done with these harps once they’re no longer fit for their musical role? Any practical or arty ideas? I’ve included the second picture to show off the individual inside bits of the instrument, which I guess could be used separated.

(Photos by cralize for Wikimedia Commons)

We’ve had an email from Becki Marsh Cox:

I go swimming at my gym everyday and even though I rinse them straight afterwards, my swimsuits always begin to thin after a couple of months. I usually go for cheap costumes but have had the same experience with more expensive ones.

I was wondering if you or any of your readers knew any secret ways to make them last longer or ways I can use the fabric elsewhere? It’s usually the bit stretched across my chest or the seams on the straps that goes first – the rest is fine. Thanks!

(Photo by dinny)