Cheap for You, Great for the Planet

by Katie Ryder — August 27, 2008

A few years ago, I was in the process of moving into my own place away from the dorms. My lack of moving experience was pretty obvious by my lack of boxes a week before the big move. As a last resort, I considered stuffing everything in garbage bags. But how environmentally friendly is that? I never understood the concept of buying cardboard boxes. So what now? It suddenly occurred to me, I live in a college town so there is no shortage of short-term leases. Everyone is moving at the same time as me, so there will no doubt be cardboard boxes in dumpsters around town. I am a genius. Being careful not to let anyone see me dumpster-dive, I left very early in the morning to scout out dumpsters. It was like Hippie Christmas!! I not only found plenty of boxes in all shapes and sizes; I found perfectly good plates, cups, wooden chairs, artwork, and other treasures that made it so I didn't have to spend a dime to outfit my new pad!

You don't have to dive into dumpsters to find great cheap, if not free, items that you didn't even know you wanted or needed. I have always been a huge fan of second-hand and thrift stores, yard sales, and now online "garage sales" like Craigslist and EBay. These are all great ways to integrate reusing and recycling into your life and maybe score a cool piece of artwork or shabby-chic furniture!