5 Easy Upcycling Ideas
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Earth month is all about sustainability, and upcycling is one way to repurpose items that would normally go into the trash. Habitat for Humanity describes upcycling as taking materials that aren’t being used anymore and upgrading them to give them a new function. Most upcycling projects only require objects that you already have at home, which helps you to reduce waste and save money! Once you’ve started finding uses for products you would normally throw away, you’ll find yourself noticing lots of ways to upcycle normal household items. Here are a few of our favorite easy upcycling projects.
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1. Glass Storage Jars
Candle jars can be upcycled and used around the house for a ton of different things! If you have empty candle jars that you haven’t found a purpose for yet, we recommend making DIY storage containers. The wax and residue from the leftover candle can be washed out with hot water or left in the freezer for a few hours so you can scrape out the contents. Paper labels can often be removed with hot water as well, so that you’re left with a blank canvas for your project! One great way to repurpose the candle jar is to paint it and then use it to store pens, toiletries, or small succulents.
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2. Sandwich and Snack Bags
Instead of throwing out old clothes that aren’t in good enough shape to be donated to a thrift store, you can sew snack bags that can be used to store sandwiches or dried foods. This simple project only requires fabric, sewing materials, and a piece of velcro. A piece of waterproof fabric can also be washed and used to line the snack bag! If you have scrap fabrics around the house, these can also be used in place of clothing. This helps to cut down waste from plastic storage bags, and it’s an easy project that only takes 30 minutes.
3. Dryer Sheets
The average dryer sheet contains chemicals that can irritate the skin, and can only be used once before it’s thrown in the garbage. One upcycling project is to use scrap fabrics to make dryer sheets that don’t contain any harmful chemicals. To upcycle old fabric into dryer sheets, just add vinegar and essential oils to squares cut from old cloth. Then place the dryer sheets into an airtight container that can be stored in your laundry room. You can opt out of using essential oils as well, or use another type of scent. This is an affordable upcycling option that helps to keep single-use dryer sheets out of landfills!
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4. Plant Hangers
One fun way to repurpose plastic bottles used for shampoo or food products is to cut and paint them to use as a plant container. All you need to do is cut your bottle into the desired shape, then paint it and add cording to hang the plant. You can even use metallic paint to give the bottle a rustic look, or opt for bright colors for a vibrant look. Plant hangers can be fairly expensive, but this project gives you the option to customize the decoration and save you money.
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5. Mirror Frames
To add a new look to an old mirror, you can make use of old maps or magazines that you haven’t found a use for. You simply remove the frame from the mirror and use a clear glue to paste cutouts from items you already have! This is an easy way to upcycle different products instead of throwing them out. It’s also an affordable alternative to a brand-new frame that you would find at a store! You can use different colored cutouts to decorate the frame in whatever way you choose, and it only takes a few minutes. You can give the mirror frame a new look with paint or twine around the house that you don’t have a use for too!
We hope that you get a chance to try these diy upcycling projects to help reduce waste during Earth month! Take a look at our other blog posts to learn about more ways you can help preserve the planet.
Thanks for taking the time to read this post. We hope to see you again next week!
