Almost daily during the winter and into early spring, I sweep a pile of sand from my kitchen floor.
WHY DIDN’T I THINK of this earlier?
The idea didn’t enter my mind until the other day, when, as part of my morning chores, I shook out the rug inside the kitchen door and swept the underlying sand into a pile.
Could I recycle this sand, I wondered as I pushed it onto a dustpan and then dumped the granules into the garbage.
It seemed such a waste really to simply toss the sand that has been tracked into my house from gritty sidewalks and streets.
Think of all the sandboxes I could fill.
Think of all the money the city of Faribault could save on sand if every resident collected and returned the sand for re-use on roads.
Think of all the eroded beaches I could save.
Think of all the sandbags that could be filled to prevent spring flooding.
Think of all the sand I could give to the sandman.
Oh, yes, my ideas are innovative.
Maybe not practical. But, hey, I’m doing my best to think green and keep sand out of our landfills.
Sand collected in a dustpan from one good sweep of my kitchen floor. Could I recycle this sand?
© Copyright 2010 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
I have collected sand which washes down our driveway after a winter of ice and snow. I reuse it on our driveway when it gets ice on the next winter storm. How many times can I reuse it? Why waste it all! Works for us.
What a good idea, Dorothy. I wonder how my husband would like a bucket of sand in his garage though. But I think your idea is an excellent one. How much sand have you collected through the years?
Actually I started saving sand a year ago. Cheaper than buying stuff to melt ice or to buy sand for it. Even kitty litter adds up and we need that litter for the cat! Is that thinking green?
I love that you’re thinking “green”, Dorothy. Minnesota Prairie Roots readers, if you recycle sand, I’d like to hear how you re-use it. Comment here.