DIY Projects to Repurpose Things at Home

What Can We Repurpose at Home?

Repurposing means giving new purpose to an object. In my interpretation, it means a thing had a function, then it was to be thrown out, but then it got a little makeover, and started to have a new function. DIY repurposing ideas are really trendy now, which is great. This way people are saving the environment. They have fun, create cool stuff, and avoid throwing things out. They repurpose at home.

Repurposing is almost like recycling or reusing. Recycling involves some kind of reprocessing of the object or item, reusing simply means you are using the object again, therefore it’s not thrown out. 

recycle, repurpose, reuse, save the environment

Avoid throwing things out

There are hundreds of things we can repurpose at home. For a long time, I have been saving stuff instead of throwing them out, because I believe the time will come when they can be good for something. I usually find DIY repurposing ideas on the internet or see something at a friend’s house, that will just make my brain swirl and a few days later, something good comes out. And as a result, I avoid throwing things out. There are millions of articles and posts, and I gathered my favorite DIY projects to repurpose things. They are not only saving the environment but also fun to do and lead to some cool DIY afternoons for adults and kids as well. 

FUN DIY REPURPOSING IDEAS WITH BOTTLE CAPS

If you are not giving them away for charity, you can still avoid throwing them out. You can collect and repurpose them at home, and the best part is that you can have a fun afternoon while doing it.

For example you can create fridge magnets,  tic-tac-toe, keychain, even a pencil holder, a trash can, or a curtain just use your imagination (and the internet for some inspiration).

FIND A NEW PURPOSE FOR SODA- AND TIN CANS

It’s so refreshing when you hear that “Ttsshee” sound, after pulling the tab. It’s an unmistakable and inimitable sound, for sure. 

People probably have at least a few of these cans laying around the house, so we might as well repurpose them at home when they are empty. Sp here are some DIY repurposing ideas and tips on how we can avoid throwing things out, and help saving the environment accordingly. 

Plus, we can save up the tabs as well, just keep scrolling down.

repurpose at home soda can cookie cutter DIY repurposing ideas, avoid throwing things out
repurpose at home earring from coca-cola soda can, avoid throwing things out
Spring flowers in repurposed soda can with colored paper wrapped around, avoid throwing things out

DIY PROJECTS TO REPURPOSE SODA CAN TABS

When I was a teenager, I passionately collected these tiny soda tabs. No one understood why, but I always knew, something good can come out one day. Thanks to the internet, and the trend to repurposing at home, I can have all kinds of DIY repurposing ideas so I was indeed right to be a little hoarder.

pile of soda tabs collected for years to repurpose at home
tiny people fridge magnets DIY projects to repurpose at home soda tabs
DIY projects to repurpose soda tab earrings avoid throwing things out
DIY projects to repurpose soda tabs decoration on wallet or purse in heart shape

CUT OR DECORATE GLASS BOTTLES

Glass cutting is a tricky one, plus, lots of patience is required. Also, you need to be very careful. Nontzeless, in the end, it’s worth it! Or, if you don’t want to cut the bottles, you can just decorate them. They are great to reuse as vases or bowls, and in addition, you can give them away as gifts.

glass bottles to repurpose at home as vases, avoid throwing them out
Repurposing things at home, Glass cutting technique for bottles to transform into vase or bowl, saving the environment
glass painting reuse bottle to decorate and create vase saving the environment
DIY projects to repurpose at home Bottles with string vase with lavender

GIVE NEW PURPOSE TO MASON JARS

Mason jars are indeed everywhere. I once threw away about 200 of them, when we were emptying an old attic. However, it still haunts me. 

If only I knew how many ways there are to reuse them besides storing jams, food, or ingredients. There are hundreds of cool DIY repurposing ideas too! For example we can make candle holders, bathing salt jars, wish-bowls, vases, and so on and so on. They can be useful, and unique, plus, these DIY projects don’t always need the lids, so if they are lost, there is no problem. 

mason jar diy repurposing ideas, levender and olive oil bath treat reuse mason jar
colored bath salts in glass containers diy repurposing ideas

Sure, we’re using fewer plastic bottles, but still have a looong way to go. There are many tips on how to reduce the use of plastic bottles even more, and how to reuse them if you happen to have some at home. 

I for example made a DIY time capsule to collect memories. It’s also really simple to transform them into bowls, jewelry, or little decorations like ornaments. There are tons of DIY projects to repurpose plastic bottles.

I use them as molds as well, to make candle holders, hobby-gips table decorations, or maybe a paper mache jewelry box.

DIY repurposing ideas plastic cases, pour concrete in them and create tiny bowls
plastic bottle bottom used as shape molds for jewelry bowl avoid throwing things out

Here are some tips on how to reduce the use of plastic bottles even more, and how to reuse them, if you happen to have some at home. 

DIY PROJECTS TO REPURPOSE PLASTIC CASES AS MOLDS

Have you ever noticed how many things come in plastic cases shaped like the items in them?

Just on these pictures below, there are cases of eye shadow, eye mask, chocolate, egg, phone, contact lenses, tools, earplugs, pencils, paints, cookie-cutters… and these are just some of the things I could take a picture of. 

Every time I unpack something, I see the cases as molds for other things, such as jewelry, toys, decorations. Reuse these, and have some fun DIY projects to repurpose as many of them as you can with the kids and friends. You can create beautiful gifts, and reduce waste in your home.

plastic molds repurposing diy projects
moldings from random plastic cases, recycling ideas, plastic bottle bottom, chocolate case, eye masksdiy projects
diy repurposing ideas plastic cases heart in concrete

Bulbs have such pretty shapes, it’s so hard to resist. Bulbs can also be used as molds, however, it involves breaking glass, so it’s an adult project, and only for those who take precautions. If you learn how to separate the neck from the rest of it, doors open up to some awesome DIY projects to repurpose them.

Here are some fun DIY ideas you can create out of bulbs, and they are also perfect as giveaway presents!

When we get something delicate or fragile, it’s usually wrapped in tissue paper. They use a lot of it because it’s a good stuffing option, and looks nice.

The good news is that they come in fun colors, sometimes even patterns – mine had some alpacas on them. Did you know that alpacas are not only cute, but they are also considered as the most eco-friendly animals. Plus, it doesn’t matter how wrinkled they are, we can always save, reuse or repurpose them at home.

I save them for decoupage projects because they work the same way as napkins. You can find some low-budget, kids-friendly fridge magnets here.

MELT CDS AND DVDS

Have you ever noticed how the disc readers on today’s laptops have disappeared? Or that more and more cars have only USB outlets, so playing CDs is just old school now? Or that you stream movies instead of buying them on DVD?

Sure, it was a fun era but didn’t last too long.

However, the CDs have stayed in the towers, DVDs on the shelves under the TV, and the data discs – for all those games and software for our old PCs – at the bottom of a drawer. And the list can go a long way.  But they are so shiny and pretty, and to be honest, it’s hard to throw them out at the end. Luckily, there are many ways we can reuse them at home, and eventually, once you start, it’s really hard to stop.

used cds, DIY repurposing projects to reuse at home
used cd, dvd pieces melted in oven, earrings, medals, DIY projects to repurpose at home, avoid throwing things out

ALSO MELT CANDLES

Have you ever seen a candle that burned every last bit of wax with no leftovers?

Sometimes the wick is so weak, it can’t keep the flame long enough, and the whole stick is wasted. It’s very annoying.  

As a solution, I keep all those wasted remains, and before Christmas, my Mom and I have some fun melting sessions in the basement. 

We can create new and fun-shaped candles, in all kinds of colors and patterns, just make sure to also keep the plastic cases as molds, although toilet paper rolls are the best to use.

DIY projects to repurpose home candle making from leftover wax, saving the environment

GIVE NEW PURPOSE TO ANNOYING TEXTILE RIBBONS

These textile ribbons are about 40 cm (16 in) long, so they are not too short to be used on decorations, or to tie around gifts. Can you guess what these are? I cut them off of my new tops… You read it right. These “hooks” are sewn inside tops, so people can hang them on hangers… 

I hang them traditionally, and to tell you the truth, it feels icky to me when I see these things all over people’s shoulders and armpits while wearing the clothes. 

textile ribbons cut out from sweaters and tshirts closeup, repurposing at home DIY project ideas
textile ribbons cut out from sweaters and tshirts, repurpose at home, avoid throwing things out

Eggshells usually end up in the trash. As I said before, avoid throwing things out. If only I knew earlier all the ways eggshells can be repurposed.

Poultry, eggs, and eggshells – together they have their very own circle-of-life right in our backyard, it’s beautiful. 

And if you think that chickens are boring, check out this list of poultry that are perfect in the barnyard.

We can also use them in DIY projects to repurpose them as some cool wall arts, or even as food for birds. So next time, before you crack your egg, think about the ways you want to use it, here are some tips

eggshells smashed into pieces for calcium

Repurpose, Reuse, Avoid Throwing Things Out - Saving the Environment is Key in the XXI. Century

I really hope I gave you some DIY repurposing ideas, that you haven’t thought of. I encourage everyone around me to repurpose at home and avoid throwing things out. Start to see something else in everything, and one day, it will come naturally. Don’t forget, the less waste we produce, the less it ends up in the oceans.

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