Here are two simple ways to reduce your waste and help great causes at the same time: 

Photo credit: Julesita, Fall 2008

1) Save your canceled stamps. Doing so can benefit disabled youth and assist with the eradication of tuberculosis, which is still a health threat in many parts of the world.  In Norway, the Norwegian Health Association-owned organization Tubfrim gathers canceled stamps from around the globe and sells them to collectors. The proceeds from stamp sales are channeled to their two causes.

What to do: clip the canceled stamp from the envelope, making sure at least a 1/2 inch margin remains around the whole stamp. Damaged stamps cannot be used, so please be careful while opening any envelopes with stamps. Also, be cautious when cutting the canceled stamp away from of the envelope. 

Then send your canceled stamps directly to Norway or deliver them to a Sons of Norway lodge.

Photo credit: Julesita, Fall 2008

2) Save the pull tabs on aluminum cans (and then recycle the rest of the can). Judy Sheldon has written a great article about McDonald’s philanthropy that you should check out.

The Ronald McDonald House provides a shelter with a home atmosphere for families that have children being hospitalized. Usually these families are coming long distances to get medical treatment for their children, and therefore, having a home away from home to reside in during that time is a great comfort and support.

This program collects pull tabs on aluminum cans then recycles them for money to help support their cause. So if you see friends or family tossing their can in the recycle bin (or worse, the garbage), please ask them to pull off the tab. You can also set up a collection jar at work or school to increase the amount of tabs saved. 

I hope you are inspired by these simple philanthropic actions. They are easy to do, and the more people who participate, the greater of an impact we can make. 

How to Live Greener Without Spending Money