repurpose ideas – EcoSalon https://ecosalon.com Tue, 20 Aug 2024 18:05:20 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.8.25 8 Clever Repurposing Ideas for the Most Common Items That Get Trashed https://ecosalon.com/8-clever-repurposing-ideas-for-the-most-common-items-that-get-trashed/ https://ecosalon.com/8-clever-repurposing-ideas-for-the-most-common-items-that-get-trashed/#respond Sun, 15 Mar 2015 17:43:02 +0000 http://ecosalon.com/?p=150172 Reuse and recycle some of the most commonly thrown out items with these repurposing ideas for around your home. You know the old saying “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure”, but it’s never truer than when referring to repurposing items destined for the landfill or recycling center into practical, functional or decorative objects. No…

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]]> Repurposing ideas for commonly thrown out items.

Reuse and recycle some of the most commonly thrown out items with these repurposing ideas for around your home.

You know the old saying “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure”, but it’s never truer than when referring to repurposing items destined for the landfill or recycling center into practical, functional or decorative objects. No matter what it is being thrown out–whether it’s an old bathtub used as a flower bed or old clothing turned into a patchwork quilt–there are repurposing ideas for all of them.

So, what are some of the most commonly thrown out items and clever repurposing ideas for each of them?

Repurposing Ideas

  1. Glass Bottles – Whether it’s beer bottles or vinegar bottles, we all end up with lots of glass bottles in the recycling bin. Repurpose them into drinking glasses, vases and more.
  2. Wine Cork Repurposing Ideas – Regular wine drinkers end up with a lot of corks, but what to do with them? They can be repurposed into coasters, cool wall art, planters and more.
  3. Repurposing Ideas for Cans – Even if you are trying to reduce the amount of food you purchase in aluminum cans, you still seem to end up with them anyway. Turn those cans into planters, vases, utensil holders, candle holders, garden lights and more.
  4. Cardboard Tube Projects – You may have sworn off using paper towels, but toilet paper and those leftover cardboard tubes are a part of our lives. They are actually quite useful and can be made into all kinds of cool decorative art projects from wall art to cardboard flowers. They also make useful cord storage holders.
  5. Cardboard Boxes – We all know you can give a kid or a cat a cardboard box and they will be content for days, but there are some really fun ways to repurpose cardboard boxes–like a cardboard guitar, a kitty house, a ball maze and more.
  6. Recycled Paper Projects – Whether old magazines, junk mail, wrapping paper, old work or school reports we all have so much paper that needs recycled. Repurposing ideas include making your own envelopes, garlands, cake toppers, coasters and door wreaths.
  7. Egg Carton Ideas – Turn those egg cartons into biodegradable seed planters, flower lights, DIY fire starters and more.
  8. Plastic Dishwasher Tab Container – If you use a dishwasher and use those dishwasher tabs, turn the plastic dishwasher tab container into a trash receptacle for your car.

Related on EcoSalon

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Reuse Around the Home: 15 Ideas for Repurposing Furniture

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Image:  girlingearstudio

 

 

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]]> https://ecosalon.com/8-clever-repurposing-ideas-for-the-most-common-items-that-get-trashed/feed/ 0 9 of the Best Sweater Repurposing Ideas Just in Time for Fall https://ecosalon.com/9-of-the-best-sweater-repurposing-ideas-just-in-time-for-fall/ https://ecosalon.com/9-of-the-best-sweater-repurposing-ideas-just-in-time-for-fall/#respond Sat, 18 Oct 2014 08:00:36 +0000 http://ecosalon.com/?p=147679 Turn those sweaters you’ve been meaning to drop off at the fabric recycling bin into functional and fashionable items using these repurposing ideas. We’ve all felt that sinking feeling when something happens to make our most comfiest of sweaters unwearable. Whether its a hole developing in a super noticeable spot (I am not above mending…

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]]> Repurposing ideas for sweaters.

Turn those sweaters you’ve been meaning to drop off at the fabric recycling bin into functional and fashionable items using these repurposing ideas.

We’ve all felt that sinking feeling when something happens to make our most comfiest of sweaters unwearable. Whether its a hole developing in a super noticeable spot (I am not above mending a hole in the armpit) or whether its a stain that didn’t come out from that super stain-y yellow curry (true story), the fact of the matter is that stuff happens. Comfy sweaters are unfortunately an ephemeral  phenomenon, and every good thing must come to an end. Don’t despair though, your sweater can live on. All it takes is a little inspiration, creativity and some clever repurposing ideas to transform your favorite sweater into a useful upcycled diy project.

From hot water bottle covers to arm warmers and everything else in between, here some ingenious repurposing ideas for reusing your favorite (or not so favorite) sweaters.

9 Repurposing Ideas for Old Sweaters

  1. Sweater Patchwork Blanket – Cuddle up under a super warm and cozy blanket you make from repurposed sweaters. Collect sweaters from the thrift store or ask family and friends for contributions.
  2. Hot Water Bottle Cover – Whether you hurt your back or need to warm up the bed sheets, a hot water bottle is a useful thing. Add a cover using made from and old sweater to make it more presentable.
  3. Cool Bangle Bag – Turn a frumpy sweater into a chic bag using this easy project.
  4. DIY Sweater Pillows – Who doesn’t need a few more cozy pillows on the sofa? Make some up from those older sweaters.
  5. Sweater Mittens – You won’t have to mourn the loss of your favorite sweater, instead you can turn them into your favorite mittens.
  6. Boot Cuffs – Boot cuffs are a great way to add some texture and color without adding bulk by actually wearing bulky socks.
  7. Asymmetrical Sweater Wrap – Turning a sweater into a fashionable wrap is a super clever repurposing idea.
  8. Arm Warmers – Turn sweater arms into practical arm warmers.
  9. Lampshade Redo – Add some texture and color to a boring lampshade with this project idea.

Related on EcoSalon:

Laundry Tip of a Lifetime: How to Unshrink a Wool Sweater

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11 DIY Jewelry Projects for $20 or (Way) Less

Top Image: South Granville Live

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]]> https://ecosalon.com/9-of-the-best-sweater-repurposing-ideas-just-in-time-for-fall/feed/ 0 9 Wonderfully Practical Repurposing Ideas For the Kitchen https://ecosalon.com/9-wonderfully-practical-repurposing-ideas-for-the-kitchen/ https://ecosalon.com/9-wonderfully-practical-repurposing-ideas-for-the-kitchen/#respond Sat, 30 Aug 2014 07:00:25 +0000 http://ecosalon.com/?p=146978 Add some eco-friendly chic to your kitchen with these repurposing ideas.   Looking to update your kitchen decor or add some organizational touches, then consider do-it-yourself repurposing ideas and projects. Repurposing is a great way to reuse items destined for the landfill or recycling bin. You can also repurpose thrift store, estate sale or yard…

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]]> Great kitchen repurposing ideas.
Add some eco-friendly chic to your kitchen with these repurposing ideas.  

Looking to update your kitchen decor or add some organizational touches, then consider do-it-yourself repurposing ideas and projects.

Repurposing is a great way to reuse items destined for the landfill or recycling bin. You can also repurpose thrift store, estate sale or yard sale finds for way less money than purchasing new. That’s not to mention that repurposing can keep you out of that cycle of conspicuous consumption, which is a way better choice for the planet. DIY repurposing is also one way to get truly one-of-a-kind decor  for kitchen to wow your guests and to increase your kitchen functionality.

Whether reusing items from the kitchen or creating repurposing projects for the kitchen, inspiration is always the first step. Here are some great repurposing ideas to get you started.

9 Kitchen Repurposing Ideas for the Kitchen

  1. Shutter Plate Rack – Need more storage space for your dishes? Try turning an old shutter into a plate shelving rack.
  2. Dresser Island – Always wanted a kitchen island? You can make your own from repurposing an old dresser.
  3. Muffin Magazine Rack – Repurpose an outdated magazine rack into useful muffin and baking sheet storage.
  4. Ladder Pot Rack – Either hang or lean an older ladder as a pot rack.
  5. Painted Coffee Cans – Simply paint coffee cans and use them for everything from utensil holders to vases.
  6. Test Tube Spice Storage – For all you scientist out there, repurpose those test tubes into something a little spicy.
  7. Food Pantry Armoire – Need more food pantry storage? Transform an armoire needing a little love into a practical food storage cabinet.
  8. Highchair Cookbook Storage – Need some handy storage for all your cookbooks? Repurpose an unused highchair into a bookshelf.
  9. Teacup Lights – Create pretty teacup lights with vintage teacups and light bulb bases and cords. Some handiness required.
  10. Tea Tin Herb Garden – Give your tea tins a new life as pretty herb garden containers.
  11. Tiered Fruit Stand – Give new life to old aluminum thrift store colanders and cake pans as a tiered kitchen stands.

Related on EcoSalon

5 DIY Home Decor Project for the Vintage Junkie: Repurpose Thrift Store Finds

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Top Image: thekitchendesigner.org

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