Recycling and finding reuses for old items is good for the environment and a necessity in hard times. But this is also when human creativity can be most satisfying. Here, we celebrate that "make do" spirit, sharing creative ideas for recycling modern materials.

Recycling Crafts and Projects

Pick any link in this quick recycling crafts menu
to see projects listed in that section:

Recycling Paper and Cardboard

New craft uses for greeting cards, wallpaper, cereal boxes, cardboard and paper.

Papier Mache Fish Cover a balloon with recycled paper strips to make a flying fish.	Doggie Bag Tote Turn a large dog food bag into a doggie bag tote.	Wrapping Paper Bows Reuse wrapping paper to make paper bows.	Magazine Holders are recycled cereal boxes or wine boxes.
Gift Boxes from Cards Make tiny gift boxes from recycled greeting cards.	Wallpaper Fan Use wallpaper scraps to make this decorative fan.	Faux Wood Checkers Box is made from a cardboard box, paint and shoe polish.	Plant Pokes are molded with toilet paper pulp.
Book Safe Hollow out a hard cover book to conceal valuables while travelling or at home.	Milk Carton Bird Feeder Attract birds with a milk carton feeder.	Wall Art Make unique art from magazine pictures, cards, and memorabilia, or try Recycled Calendar Prints.	Sunny Necklace Sunny necklace to paint and wear for summer.
Decoupage Patchwork Container Decoupage patchwork fabric and recycle a cardboard tube container.	Ribbon Spool Boxes Make gift boxes from cardboard ribbon spools!	Decoupage Pots Decoupage paper napkins on terra cotta pots or plastic pot sleeves.	Recycled Gift Bags Use decorative paper to recycle gift bags.

Recycling Old Denim Blue Jeans

Creative recycling crafts using denim jean pockets, old blue jeans, and denim shirts or skirts.

Denim Rug Recycle thinner denim fabrics to make a scatter rug.	Recycling Denim Lots of new uses for old blue jeans.	Denim Bathroom Accessories Accessorize your bathroom with denim accents.	Denim Diary Cover Button down diary cover made from old jeans.
Denim Organizer Sew an organizer from cut-off jean legs.	Denim Pocket Fridge Magnets Put those old jean pockets to new use on the fridge.	Denim Pocket Purses Recycle old jeans and make denim pocket purses. Great bazaar craft!	Blue Jeans Skirt Recycle blue jeans into a skirt.

Recycling CD's and Vinyl Records

Imaginative ways to recycle those unwanted CD's and old record albums.

CD Letter Holder
Recycle several cd's to hold notes or letters.

CD Snowman
Make a snowman from a CD and a juice can lid.

Recycle a Vinyl Record
How to make a decorative bowl from an old record album.

Timmy the Turtle CD Magnet
Transform an old CD into a turtle fridge magnet!

Recycled CD Memo Bunny
Make an Easter bunny memo board from an old CD.

Recycling Common Household Goods

Discarded household items find new purpose with these recycling craft projects.

Teacup n Saucer Lamp Recycle a teacup and saucer into a candle lamp.	Jewelry Catch-All Recycle saucers and small glasses to hold jewelry.	Victorian Fans Turn a paint stick into the base of a Victorian paper fan.	Faux Oil Lamp Use found objects to make a faux oil lamp.
Victorian Ornaments Juice can lids turn Victorian in this recycling craft.	Breadcrumb Bead Bracelet Make beads from white glue and breadcrumbs.	Film Canister Soldier Recycle three film canisters into a toy soldier decoration.	Juice Lid Ornaments Recycle juice can lids and cards into 3D Christmas tree trims.
Recycle Wax Crayons Reuse old crayons to make new ones; recycled wax fire starters.	Many Uses for Dryer Lint See our dust bunny, make dryer lint clay or start a fire...	Cutie Pie Cow Pan Country cow collectors will love this cutie pie cow pan!	Dryer Sheet Flowers Used dryer sheets become a lovely flower bouquet.
Spoon Shoe Sachet Recycle an old spoon and sweeten your shoes as well!	Mosaic Flower Pot Planter Smash a plate to make the mosaic for this flower pot planter.	Cake Pan Burner Covers Paint cake pans to cover ugly stove burners.	Popsicle Stick Frame Metallic "silver" photo frame is really popsicle sticks.
Clothespin Toy Soldier Clothespin toy soldier makes a great Christmas tree trim.	Lightbulbs Introduction to recycling lightbulbs.	Corker Knitting Spool Make a corker knitting spool and learn the art of corking.	Decorated Pots and New Plants Green plastic pots pretty up with paint markers.
Doily Lightbulb Old lightbulbs make Christmas tree trims; one of a series.	T-Shirt Pillows Recycle a t-shirt and sew a throw pillow.	Hanging Jar Lantern Recycle old jars to make hanging candle lanterns.

Recycling Plastic Bags, Plastic Soda Bottles, Glass Jars and Tin Cans

Recycling craft ideas for plastic pop bottles, glass jars and tin cans.

Bottle Fish Mobile Vibrant fish mobile made from plastic bottles.	Tin Can Storage Recycle tin cans and store all your art supplies!	Braided Hanger Braid a coat hanger with plastic bag strips.	Pop Bottle Candle Holders Turn soda pop bottles into pretty candle holders.
Bottle Cap Magnet Make a cheerful flowered fridge magnet from plastic bottle caps.	Plastic Bag Shopping Tote Make yarn out of plastic bags and knit a super shopping tote.	Dad's Pencil Holder Tin can pencil holder with a 'faux' leather finish!	Soda Bottle Dome Create a domed floral display from a recycled pop bottle.
Bottle Print Tee Print flowers on a t-shirt using a soda bottle!	Wheat Sheaf Painted Jars Use paint markers to make unique cannisters from coffee jars.	Recycled Coffee Can Make decorative containers from tin cans.	Painted Scarecrow Pumpkin Jar or Sunflower Jar.

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