Going Green: Crafty Ways to Recycle Aluminum Cans

Aluminum cans are everywhere, and they can be used for so many different things. Don't waste your cans by throwing them in the garbage when you can turn them into many different awesome things for your home and garden.

One of the simplest and sweetest uses for aluminum cans is to make flower cans. This looks especially attractive when you use soup cans. Soak the cans in water and soap to remove the label. Poke holes in the bottom of the can in order to let water drain, and fill with dirt. Plant several different plants in different size cans and group them together on a porch or shelf. You can also decoupage or paint the cans to add a theme.

Aluminum cans also make a great lantern. Make a stencil of the pattern you would like to create on the can and trace it on the can with a pencil. Next you will need a hammer and a nail. Carefully tap the nail into the can to create holes that will make up your pattern. Next poke 2 holes at the top of the can directly across the diameter of the can. After this is complete you may paint the cans with spray paint to match your décor or garden. Next take some heavy duty wire and cut it about a 2 feet long. Bend the top of the wire in one direction in the shape of a small hoop, and then bend another 3 inches in a larger loop in the opposite direction of the first loop. The finished product should look like a shepherd's hook. Next make a U shape out of a piece of wire large enough to make a handle for the can and attach it to the holes you made at the top of the can by making to 2 smaller loops at the bottom of the U shape and slipping the wire in.

You can also make a nice desk organizer if you glue then together. The first step of this project is to paint or decoupage the cans in different themes and colors. Next glue them together in a shape that would suit your desk. Remember to place some of the cans on there sides to create a pigeon-hole effect. These sideways cans will create places to slip notes and mail into. You can even add some wire to hang your organizer on the wall.

Another fun way to use your tin cans is to bake breads and cakes in them. Simply grease and flour the can like you would a cake, and fill it with your favorite delicious treat. These work great as gifts, and the can method makes these edibles portable.

Another good way to use aluminum cans is to cut the aluminum can into a garden marker. cut a pointed end and a round end out of the side of the can lengthwise. Next write the name of the plant on the plant marker with a skewer or a pen that has run out of ink.

People should try to use their garbage before they throw it away. For the earth's sake and humankind's sake we should all try to waste a little less. So next time you are about to trash something look at it twice, and see if you could use it somewhere else.