Upcycling, also known as creative reuse, is any way to transform an old item into something even more valuable than it was before. Crafting is a fun, hands-on and attainable variety of upcycling that can save your household items from the landfill while bringing a dash of quirky, sustainable flair to your home.
From bags made from old shirts to plastic bottles made into planters, the possibilities are almost endless. Find some inspiration for your own upcycling journey with some crafty reuse ideas!
10 Ways to Craft Sustainability
- Create an upcycled tote bag from an old t-shirt with no sewing required! All you need is a pair of scissors.
- Transform old socks into lovable plush kids’ toys with scissors, hot glue, and buttons for the animal’s eyes.
- Take old strips of fabric and braid them together to create a rag rug to decorate your house or dorm! Mix and match colors and patterns for a vibrant, unique look.
- Cut a square of denim from an old pair of jeans and sew fabric on the back and along the sides to create a DIY potholder. This can also function as a coaster or a koozie!
- Turn a tin can into a lantern for backyard camping by using a hammer and nail to poke holes in whatever pattern you like. Put a tea light inside of the can and watch it glow!
- Upcycle your bottlecaps into home decor by filling them with wax and inserting a wick to create bottlecap candles!
- Give your beloved old sweater a new life by trimming and sewing it into a cozy throw pillow cover.
- Paint an old tire with vibrant colors and patterns and fill it with potting soil to turn it into a low-cost outdoor planter!
- Make a piggy bank for kids out of a plastic water bottle! Draw two lines on the cap for the nose, glue on googly eyes and paper ears, and cut a coin slot on the opposite side.
- Use an old cardboard and insert additional cardboard pieces to create a storage container with built-in dividers. Depending on the size, you can store toys, makeup, and more!
When you choose to upcycle an item into a DIY craft, you can come away with something handmade and long-lasting. You might even get more use out of the craft than the item it was made from! Before purchasing materials for new crafts, think about the things you already have around the house. You might just rescue an average piece of household waste and turn it into something you love!
