An innovative and eco-friendly way of wrapping gifts. — Freepik
WITH global warming on the rise, recycling is one of the easiest methods for the public to reduce the effects of climate change.
However, if your item is too precious to be given away, why not try upcycling to give it a new look?
Through upcycling, an item that would have otherwise ended up in a landfill can be transformed into a new product.
In many cases, a recycled item is repurposed to offer a different function entirely.
Upcycling also helps to reduce the use of new materials in the production process, contributing to a more sustainable future.
But if you are running low on time, cash or creativity, here are 10 ways you can do your bit for the environment.
How your tennis ball container can be transformed into a spectacles case. — AI generated photo
1 Fabric gift wrap
While glittery gift wraps are stunning, they are often coated in plastic with the paper made from tiny pieces of plastic, making them often non-recyclable or hard to recycle.
An easy and quick alternative to wrapping gifts is using fabric lying around in your house.
Take any type of fabric that catches your eye and wrap it like how you would a normal gift wrap.
Lay your fabric flat on a level surface.
Then, place your item in the centre of your fabric.
Instead of using tape like you would for normal gift wrap, tie a knot to keep your gift inside.
For instance, if you’re wrapping a book, take two opposite ends of each side to tie a knot.
That way, you’ll end up with two secured knots – easy, sustainable and it even looks good.
Embellish your home with the luxurious feel of mirror trays. — AI generated photo
2 Storage candle jars
Nearing the end of your candle’s lifespan?
Don’t say goodbye to the container just yet as you can clean it out and repurpose it as a storage jar.
If you are someone who is always losing your hair ties or need a place to store pens, brushes, coins or even snacks, this multifunctional jar will keep all sorts of knick-knacks.
A hack for cleaning out your candle wax is the hot water bath method.
First, fill a pot with water and boil.
Place a bowl or container on top of your pot.
Lastly, place the candle jar in the bowl/container.
Remove the jar after about 10 minutes when the wax has softened.
Remove the remaining wax with a knife and then wash your jar with some dishwashing liquid and you’re good to go.
Decorate your egg carton with stickers and paint to turn them into a one-of-a-kind organiser. — AI generated photo
3 Canned lanterns
Getting beans and sardines from a can? Then why not get your light from a can as well?
DIY and craft project idea blog Make Something Mondays has a brilliant take on this but here’s another way you can do it.
Grab a tin can, scissors or cutters and start by cutting up some designs.
Puncture a hole in the middle of the can and work your way around it.
If tin cans prove to be too difficult to cut, try getting an aluminium can.
After cutting the designs, take some paint and brushes (from your newly remodelled candle jar of course) to decorate the outside of your can.
Place a candle at the bottom of your can.
For smaller cans, consider placing tea lights instead.
Leave a few of these lanterns outside to set the mood for an evening dinner or have them on your bedside table as decoration and a source of light.
A starry DIY lantern made from tin can.— AI-generated photo
4 Tea set bird feed
If you have chipped your mother’s tea set, you can still use it in a different way.
It can be as simple as pouring bird feed into a cup and leaving it outside but if you happen to have a wall with hooks left unattended and want a more inventive way of doing it, you’re in luck.
Grab a piece of string that won’t snap easily (the thicker the better), loop it through the handle of the cup and tie a knot at the hook on the wall.
Then, glue the side of the cup with the handle facing upwards onto the saucer.
This way, the bird feed would flow out of the cup onto the saucer.
Candle jars can be upcycled into storage jars to store your stationery, paintbrushes and more. — AI generated photo
5 Egg carton organiser
Instead of throwing empty egg cartons away, consider using them as organisers.
You can paint them, stick some of your favourite designs or stickers on them and then simply place your jewellery, small stationery items or nail polish bottles in each egg cup.
This works perfectly for organising makeup and small watches as well.
Displaying your jewellery in this trinket dish. — AI-generated photo
6 Toothpaste pouches
The next time your toothpaste is about to run out, don’t throw the tube.
Online arts and crafts blog Persialou.com has a great idea of transforming them into toothpaste pouches.
First, cut off the nozzle and clean out any excess toothpaste.
Now, you should be left with a tube with one closed end.
Next, fold the open end towards the closed end to begin making the flap.
Make sure to press hard enough to see some creasing.
Once you have your folded line, cut down both sides of your toothpaste tube until the fold line.
Then, continue to cut one horizontal side of your toothpaste following the fold line to create the flap on the other side.
For a nicer touch, round off the corners of the flap.
Use some spray paint and paste some velcro on the inside of your flap and the outside of the tube as a quick open-and-close mechanism.
Another hack to ensure it closes is by glueing a button on the flap and another on the tube itself and looping a hair tie around it.
No one would know it was once a toothpaste tube.
7 Book frame
If you have some old books you are planning to get rid of, consider saving them as photo displays.
Dust off the cobwebs and get some self-adhesive photo corners and stick them onto an old classic book of yours.
Simply nudge each corner of the photo into its designated corner and it turns into a book frame.
Leave it upright for vertical photos and on its side for horizontal photos for a better view.
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8 Trinket shells
Bring the oyster shells back from dinner and knock yourself out with 1,001 ways of transforming shells into a one-of-a-kind trinket dish.
Australia’s Oyster Coast blog shares some ideas on what we can do with these shells.
But the first step is to wash it thoroughly before using it as decor.
Plunge them in a bucket of water with a splash of bleach and leave it out in the sun for a day or two to get rid of the smell.
Then, choose the best option to decorate your shell for your home.
You can line the oyster with dazzling gold paint or paint the insides and leave it at that.
But here’s another way to do it: paint two coats of white acrylic paint on the inside.
Take some decorative napkins and cut out the image you like best.
Cut as close as you can to the image but it doesn’t need to be perfect.
Add some glue on top of your dried paint (liquid glue is best) and stick your design on it.
Remember to pat it down gently and add another layer of glue on top of the image.
Then, paint the rim around the shell with any metallic paint.
Let it dry completely and you’re all set!
simple and beautiful art background in vector style
9 Spectacles case
Rummaging through your house for shuttlecocks or tennis balls only to find empty cases of it?
Don’t throw them away as online blog Joy with Purpose has found a new purpose for the tennis ball containers.
Unwrap the label around the casing and cover it with some fabric or spray paint.
Measure the fabric alongside the casing and cut it to the length of your case.
Then, glue it on to the casing.
If using spray paint, remember to do it outdoors and lay out a piece of cloth or old newspaper as a base so you don’t mess up any flooring.
Once done, slide in some eyewear into the container and there you have your very own upcycled spectacles case.
10.Mirror tray
Some people have wooden trays so why not turn one into a reflective tray?
Just add a mirror that you can’t find a reason to part with or that is too valuable to throw away.
Wipe off any dirt or dust that it might have collected and with its reflective surface, it is the perfect accompaniment for candles, drinks and even an everyday item holder.
