One of the reasons that consumers have to spend more money in today’s economy is that too many products are easily disposable and require frequent replenishing. Years ago, when you bought a piece of equipment such as an iron, it lasted for a generation; today it seems that the usable lifetime of many small appliances is designed to expire after a year.

While manufacturers can make more money by creating less durable items that have to be replaced repeatedly, many consumers have also adopted a ‘throw-away’ mentality, where they choose to discard products in favour of new and improved models. Just think of the disposability factor of mobile phones!

The challenge with this lifestyle is that it creates a massive amount of waste material that is difficult to put away safely. Plastic bags and bottles can take dozens or hundreds of years to decompose in landfills, while items made of styrofoam and other food and drink containers are reportedly not biodegradable at all.

One of the ways to create an income is by providing profitable solutions to people’s problems. Waste removal issues can therefore be viewed as opportunities for creative entrepreneurs to earn more money. The key is to think of ways to turn somebody’s trash into your treasure by repairing, reusing or recycling it. Let’s look at some possible options:

Clothing Adjustments

Despite the fact that more Jamaicans may be buying cheap clothes, which have been mass-produced in the Far East, there is still a demand for alterations for keepsake items. Most smart shoppers who purchase quality garments will want to repair damaged items or adjust them in case they lose weight. It appears that not many seamstresses or tailors like to make alterations, so you could have a lucrative business if you have this special skill.

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Shoe/Bag Repairs

Another opportunity to earn from other peoples’ damaged goods is by repairing shoes and bags. Good quality leather shoes can receive a new lease on life with the addition of tips and soles, while expert stitching can restore years of use to handbags and suitcases. If you have a knack for fixing these items, you could offer a pick-up service to collect customers’ goods for repair and deliver the finished product to them.

Re-Upholstery Service

Do-it-yourself aficionados know that it is relatively simple to achieve a fresh look for the home by changing the fabric on chairs, cushions and couches. With limited income to spend on purchasing new furniture, more homeowners will be looking for ways to spruce up their old pieces. With some basic tools such as a screwdriver, staple gun and a sewing machine, and a little training on the Internet, you could be in the money from re-upholstering.

Antique Restoration

In years gone by, craftsmen were skilled at making items that could last for hundreds of years. Today, their handiwork is still in great demand, as collectors will pay top dollar for antique furniture, fittings, paintings, and even cars. If you have skills in woodwork or refinishing, you could restore antique articles for others; or if you have an eye for finding hidden treasures, you could buy them inexpensively, get them restored, and resell them for profit.

Electronic Equipment Repairs

Although some people might be tempted to throw out old equipment, their financial situations might dictate that they have to repair them instead. The average consumer doesn’t have the know-how to do even basic repairs to personal electronic items such as a mobile phone or computer, and therefore will have to seek expert help when the inevitable problems arise. This is a perfect income opportunity if you have expertise in electronic repairs.

Scrap Material Recycling

Recycling not only involves repairing damaged products, but it can entail stripping down the items to make use of its smaller components. To make money from scrapped objects, you first have to determine what type of material is in demand and then look for discarded products that may contain the valuable material. Old batteries, aluminum frames, windows, oil drums, computers, and mobile phones have metal parts or other elements that you can harvest for sale.

Bottle Returns

Before the advent of plastic bottles, most drinks and liquid products were sold in glass containers. It is now more cost-efficient for manufacturers to recycle glass bottles than to make new ones; recycling one glass bottle can reportedly save enough energy to power a 100w glass bulb for nearly one hour! Look around your community for discarded glass bottles and exchange them for cash at bottle depots.

‘Junk’ Creations

A very satisfactory method of dealing with an unwanted item is finding another use for it. For example, a shower curtain can be used as a tarpaulin, or bottle caps and juice boxes can be made into toys. With a little imagination and elbow grease, waste can actually be turned into art or functionable items for sale. Scrap metals can make jewellery; tyres can be turned into planter boxes; and newspapers can produce papier mâché products. Your creativity is the only limit!

Copyright © 2010 Cherryl Hanson Simpson. No reproduction without written consent.

Originally published in The Daily Observer, October 14, 2010

Cherryl is a financial consultant and coach, founder of Financially S.M.A.R.T. Services. See more of her work at www.financiallyfreenetwork.com and www.financiallysmartonline.com. Contact Cherryl