Reusing hedge trimmer parts

Filed in Blog, Videos by on June 25, 2009 2 Comments
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Mr Green takes apart his hedge trimmer

Mr Green takes apart his hedge trimmer

This is what I mean by hoarding! To be fair, I’ve started to look at Mr Green’s habits in a new light because I’ve learned, over the years, how useful his stash can be.

After all, it’s only the equivalent of a seamstress cutting buttons from clothes before putting them in the textiles bank or me scraping leftovers off plates to be turned into tomorrow’s lunch.

When it comes to tools and electrical items that are beyond salvage or repair, Mr Green takes what he can from them. Leads, cables, plugs, fuses, stainless steel screws – you name it, he takes it. Then, of course, a few months down the line when he’s in the middle of a project, he invariably needs ‘that cable’ or ‘this fuse’ to complete his work.

The challenge of late has been that he hasn’t been able to get into the garage to find anything. But that is soon to end as we work through our WRAP Recycle week pledge of decluttering our garage.

Here he is showing you how to make the most of a broken hedge trimmer by taking all the useful parts out of it. It’s amazing what you find in one of those things!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObD87tt3xFk

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About the Author ()

I am a long time supporter of the Green and Sustainable lifestyle. After being caught in the Boscastle floods in 2004, our family begun a journey to respect and promote the importance of Earth's fragile ecosystem, that focussed on reducing waste. Inspired by the beauty and resourcefulness of this wonderful planet, I have published numerous magazine articles on green issues and the author of four books.

Comments (2)

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  1. John Costigane says:

    Hi Mrs Green,

    Mr G has looked at the hedge trimmer, not as waste, but as a resource with the waste issue the last consideration. I wonder if the plastic body would be of use for broken handles etc which may have resulted in dropping a unit.

    Reuse is important and there is obviously a lot to learn in dealing with such items. For instance the blade support is useful, something I was unaware of. There may well be value is assessing the best items to keep, or give to others, rather than the simple melt after recycling. Freecycle may be the best vehicle for this type of reuse. It is a newish aspect which might even fit Transition Towns.

  2. Mr Green says:

    Hi John. One thing I must always keep in mind is that I have just cleared out my garage of a multitude of ‘Might Reuse This On Day’ stuff. Normally I do eventiually find a reuse for my goodies kept from salvaging materials, but sometimes, we just have to let go of it.

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