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New Ideas for Creative Recycling
Piling your recyclables in the nearest blue bin (and helping to conserve resources in the process) has become widely accepted. But have you ever thought about a more creative recycling approach? People across the globe are repurposing used goods to make art, clothing and everything under the sun. Check out these recycling tips that turn trash into treasure.
Clever clothing
Old clothes get to hang around longer when you rework them to create new fashion. Creative recycling has been around as long as people have worn hand-me-downs. Nowadays, clever crafters are taking worn-out clothing and reimagining it into fresh new forms. Men’s dress shirts with frayed cuffs can be transformed into cute recycled shirtdresses for daddy’s little girl. Repurposed neckties take care of business in a totally new way when recycling efforts revive them as business card holders, hooked rugs and lamp shades. The Today Show even picked up the innovative recycling trend by featuring a crafty segment on how to make tote bags with old t-shirts. Any textile from aprons to ascots can be reinvented into something new with a little ingenuity and a sewing machine. (If creative ideas aren’t popping to mind yet, snag some recycling tips from books like Born Again Vintage and Generation T.)
Household help
Everyday household items can get a second chance at being useful, before you resign them to the recycling bin. You don’t have to get too crazy to come up with easy recycling ideas like spray-painting aluminum cans and using them to hold art supplies. It’s easy to rinse out a used pickle jar and fill it full of pansies. A milk jug can even become a watering can with a few holes punched in the cap. When you are tossing out old Venetian blinds, salvage them by cutting individual blinds in half and using them as plant markers in your garden. Innovative recycling ideas overflow on the Internet, so check out helpful sites like All Free Crafts and Craft Gossip. You’ll be inspired by ideas submitted by other crafters, and you can get precise instructions for making recycled crafts you’ve never dreamed of.
Art parts
Another new recycling trend is creating works of art with tidbits you are about to toss. When your enthusiastic recycler meets your inner artist, amazing things can happen. From sculptures to furniture, artists are saving money on supplies by using recycled materials to create artwork. Spare your aluminum cans from the crusher and use them to create a shark, giraffe or snowboarding sculpture. Santa Fe, New Mexico, even has its own recycled art festival to benefit local recycling efforts. Kids can get in on the artistic action by crafting art pieces from items that parents usually make them toss out. The next time you’re stuck at home on a rainy day, break out the recycling bin and see what you can make.
You can celebrate Earth Day all year simply by finding unique ways to recycle. If you have a big idea, but don’t have the used tools you need, check out Freecycle and share your own creative recycling spirit.
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Readers Poll
How much will you budget for your apartment move?
- More than $500 (32%, 19 Votes)
- $301 to $500 (30%, 18 Votes)
- $100 to $300 (27%, 16 Votes)
- Under $100 (11%, 7 Votes)
Total Voters: 60
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