Milk Jug Igloo

This is one of those crazy, fun projects. It is cheap and great way to reuse materials. But it is a big one, so you will need a big space, like a basement playroom, or do it outside. I question how well it will work outside - strong winds? spider webs?

Another of my concerns is that yuck-yuck, rot dairy smell from the old milk containers. I would practice getting the smell out of one first milk jug. Also, don't forget you can use water gallon jugs, as well as orange juice, distilled water, ice tea, etc.

It looks complex, but probably the hardest, time consuming part is collecting and washing the milk jugs. Actually making the igloo seems like it would be a fun rainy day or weekend project. Usually I read directions about neat ideas like this one, and they seem way too complex or expensive (not to mention, leaving out a lot of practical information), but this project does seem doable if you have the materials and space.

This would make for excellent memories. First I have to see how much work goes into de-funking a old milk jug. If I did it, I would make the big one, 428 jugs, but I am crazy like that. I would have a slide down to our playroom if I could put one in. By my calculations, we would need about 40 families to give us 10 milk jugs. I can see my husband shaking his head at me right now.

Here is the link:

How to make your own milk jug igloo

Side note, sometimes we moms can be guilty of doing things like this instead of the things we are suppose to be doing, like laundry and discipling our kids. Build your milk jug igloo responsibly ;-)

Recycle Challenge

In honor of Earth Day, I thought I would share about what kind of paper you can recycle. There is so much paper we just throw out. First of all, you need a convenient and pretty place to put it. We use a large, sturdy basket I purchased at a yard sale. It sits in our living room in a high traffic area, so it makes it easy to toss in the recyclables.

Remember not to put paper in plastic bags. Instead, use paper bags or cardboard boxes. Plastic bags clog recycling equipment at the recycling center and jams the system. Of course you can recycle your plastic bags at the grocery store! Or even better, buy reusable buys. Not only will you not have all the clutter of plastic bags in your house, but they will pay for themselves with the few pennies you get credited for at most stores. They are more sturdy too, and are great to haul other items like books from the library.

CAN

• paper envelopes with those plastic windows
• staples are O.K.
  
• most of your mail except for the pieces that need to be shredded (this adds up to a lot of recyclable paper)
  
• food boxes like cereals and crackers (as long as the food is in a plastic bag
• newspapers of course
• magazines to packaging (must be clean, dry, and free of food, most plastic, wax, and other contamination)

CANNOT

• foiled coated boxes
• food contaminated cardboard, like greasy pizza boxes
  
• some areas cardboard must be free of tape, but staples are fine
  
• frozen food containers
• junk mail with plastic wrap, stickers, product samples, and those fake "membership" cards
• waxed paper
• waxed cardboard milk & juice containers
• oil soaked paper
• carbon paper
• sanitary products or tissues (hope you would know this one ;-)
• thermal fax paper
• plastic laminated paper such as fast food wrappers, juice boxes, and pet food bags
• paper with any sort of contamination or plastic layers

???????????

• Check your phone book and area recycling center where and if your old phone books are recyclable
• Books is another item you would have to contact your local center for