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.

Going Green: Crafty Ways to Recycle and Reuse Your Plastic Bottles

Plastic bottles have many different uses so reuse them instead of throwing them away. Less waste is always a good thing. Here are some ideas that will help you recycle your plastic bottles instead of throwing them away.

Plastic bottles can be cut in half in order to make self watering planters for seedlings. Fill the top of the bottle with dirt and plant your seeds in them. Making sure the dirt is packed in the bottle well, next remove the cap, and place the pot in the bottom half of the plastic bottle and water it. This setup will water the plant itself and require you to water the plant less. The plant will soak up the water from the bottom part of the bottle.

You can also cut the bottom part of a bottle and fill it with potpourri. To disguise your bottle hot glue some lace or ribbon around the top of the bottle. You can also add beads or strands of a fancy braid to the top in order to add some fun to the piece.

Plastic bottles are also helpful when making wind socks. Simple cut the ends of the bottle to create a cylinder. Paint it on the inside and poke 3 holes in the top of the bottle. Now tie 3 strings to the holes and make them into a knot. This is the part of the thread that you will hang the wind sock with. Now attach ribbons or strips of fabric on the other end of the tube. You can tie them into holes, or you can glue them on with a glue gun.

Plastic bottles also make great funnels. I particularly like to use the bottles that have handles. In order to make a plastic bottle funnel cut the bottom of the bottle off. You can make different size funnels with different size bottles.

You can also make ice packs with plastic bottles. Simply fill them half way with water and freeze them. Now you can have ice packs free and whenever you want them. You can also freeze different size bottles for different problems.

Another awesome use for plastic bottles is to make a chandelier. Simple make a hoop out of some wire, and string the bottles around it. This works especially well for bottles with handles, but bottles with regular tops can be wired to the hoop. Next you will need a string of lights and put a light in each bottle. Tie some rope to the top of the hoop and hang the lamp.

I hope these ideas inspire you to make things out of plastic bottles that you wouldn't normally make. Next time you are going to throw something out think about what else you could do with it!