If you’re looking to do a craft program with recycled materials, you may be surprised by just how many items you can reuse creatively. Even a simple plastic bottle can be reused to create something really cool!
We can come up with some super creative ideas for crafts and let's remember that if we recycle materials, it is way better for our environment! There are so many different recycling projects out there where we can use lots of everyday items. Here's a list of many items that can be used and reused for craft programs:
- Glass bottles
- Plastic bottles
- Paper rolls (from kitchen towel and toilet paper)
- Clothes
- Books
- Plastic Pots
- Corks
- Dryer sheets
- Coffee grounds
- Egg cartons
- Shoe boxes
- Old and damaged tiles
- Bottle caps
- Mailing tubes
- CDs and DVDs
- Light bulbs
- Carpet
- Fabric scraps
- Glass
- Office Supplies
- Metal
- Clay scraps
I'm sure there are more items out there that can be recycled, but this list gives us a good idea of just how many different items can be recycled for crafting purposes.
Check out this awesome Youtube video that shows us a whole bunch of ways to reuse and recycle plastic.
Upcycling
Upcycling is a fun way of recycling things that you might not be using and then turning it into something practical that you will use or give to someone else to use.
Upcycling can be done for all sorts of items on the recycling list. There are so many different upcycling projects out there on craft blogs and on Youtube channels, with creative people upcycling all kinds of different recycled items from cookie sheets and file folder labels.
Upcycling is an awesome way to create fun and decorative items, or items that just work in a practical way, such as a plastic bottle to help water a plant can be extremely useful for anyone. Either way, this helps our environment because rather than throwing the bottle in the trash it is being used over and over again.
The DIY Network has 35 Upcycled Crafts + Easy DIYs that can help you get lot of ideas on your next upcycling project! Let me know if you try any of these, I'd love to hear all about it!
Downcycling
Downcycling is just as useful as recycling or upcycling and gives sort of the opposite approach since it involves breaking down items into smaller parts and creating something different. This is usually helpful and gives the creator a lot more pieces to work with, which then gives more value than the item as a whole would have been worth and it's all being reused so that is a great thing.
If you are looking at how to make creative things from materials that you have at home take a look at some of the craft blogs and crafty channels on Youtube about downcycling. Some ideas focus on using old clothes for art projects or old sweaters for pet clothing or bedding or how to turn old CDs into backyard windchimes.
Here's a great Youtube video that explains very well what Downcycling is all about. Check it out!
See you next time with some ideas for crafts using fabric scraps that you might just have lying around your house or work. I have lots of fun ideas for you!
Mrs. Librarian Lady
