Remember in school when you learned the key environmental phrase “reduce, reuse, recycle”? That mantra probably goes through your head every time you separate your papers from your containers, am I right?
Well, the people in this article took the “reuse” aspect of that phrase to the next level. These creative upcycling projects gave old items a new lease on life and help the environment.
Candle DIYs are super low stakes and super easy.
“Repurpose the last bit of candle wax with no more wick into wax melts (low heat on stove top, pour wax into aluminum cupcake wrappers, let cool.)”
Pop them on a candle warmer and your candles have new life!
Make your own chicken stock!
“Been buying whole chickens instead of individual cuts and whole veggies instead of precut and bagged ones. Saved the bones/scraps for 3 months in the freezer and decided to make chicken stock!” one Reddit user said.
This is genius (and yummy!).
I would have just returned it, which shows my lack of imagination here.
“Picked up a used cardigan that turned out to look much better in the picture than in person, so I turned it back to yarn and crocheted the yarn into a cat bed,” another Reddit user said.
That is one lucky cat.
Now that’s using your education.
“I wove my old study notes into a basket!”
They did it by following this tutorial, in case you want to turn your study notes into something fun!
This is total trash into treasure!
“So someone on my street put two twin bed frames on the curb. I made one into a trellis.”
I love seeing people pick up trash and turn it into something incredibly useful.
Old comforter bags can be reused!
“An oldie but a goodie that I’ve been using forever: those plastic bags that linens come in make excellent storage after the fact!”
It never occurred to me to keep those!
I love when DIYs benefit dogs specifically.
“I read that a lot of donated clothes end up in landfills anyway, so started saving our old fabrics/textiles that didn’t seem nice enough for resale. Finally used them to make this pet bed!”
Don’t toss those plastic bags!
“A reusable shopping bag I crocheted out of plastic bags!!”
This big bag was made by using this tutorial on YouTube ! If I still had plastic bags, I would totally try this out!
Let’s save the kitties!
“Recycling old picnic coolers for stray cat shelters.”
This is a great solution to help keep strays safe and dry! We must protect those lil kittens at all costs.
Save your garden!
“I use panty hose filled with husky fur to deter rabbits from snacking in my garden. No chemicals, much less chicken wire, and I don’t have to keep buying new plants.”
This sweet fox is made of leftovers!
“Made a fox from old clothes, the filling is shredded rest fabrics.”
People who can sew blow my mind. What’s it like to just create things out of thin air?
Well, now I’m hoping my toilet cracks.
“I used the traditional Japanese art of kintsugi to repair my cracked toilet seat instead of throwing it away.”
This method uses epoxy to keep the sides together. Don’t worry, it’s sturdy!
Don’t blow your money on a new kid-sized play kitchen!
“I make as many of my daughter’s toys as I can, w/ salvaged bits as often as possible. I made this kitchen set out of old cardboard boxes, bottle caps, and CDs that I scrounged from the trash at work. I then decorated it [with] paper.”
It looks just as good as a store-bought play kitchen!
This greenhouse was built out of 99% reclaimed materials.
“My dad built a greenhouse out of piles of random stuff he’s been saving in the ‘you never know when it will come in useful’ pile. Old windows, bits of flooring, recycled straightened nails, and offcuts of steel roofing. Only had to spend $40 on 8 large bolts.”
Goodbye, bulk tissue.
“It’s frustrating how many tissues I go through during allergy season, but this year I’m prepared. Made some reusable tissues from an old duvet cover.” I am all for not buying insane amounts of Kleenex, tbh.
