Gorgeous 20 Waste Material Craft Ideas To Try This Weekend
Ever stared at an empty cereal box and felt a tiny pang before tossing it? Same here. The writer behind the original roundup over at Streetstylis puts it plainly: items that still look useful are hard to throw away, so cardboard boxes, old jars and fabric scraps pile up in the craft closet.
Anything headed for the trash gets a second look as a chance to imagine a new use.
Every few months, that author and a group of friends hold a craft afternoon. Everyone brings something from home that would normally be binned, and at the end the group votes on the best makeover. It is a relaxed, low pressure way to spend an afternoon, and the recycling pile shrinks instead of growing.
If you want more inspiration beyond this list, these clever recycling and upcycling projects are worth a browse. Now let us get into the 20 ideas, all family friendly and mostly made from things you already own.
WASTE MATERIAL CRAFT IDEAS
Here they are, 20 projects that turn everyday trash into something you would actually display or use. Each one lists the main supplies and a quick note on the skill level, so you can pick a project that matches the time and patience you have today.
Grab a box, save those jars, and let us start crafting. If you want to branch out after the first few, these stylish recycled craft ideas can point you in a few more directions.
Cork Board Trivet
Got a spare sheet of cork lying around? Cut it into a simple shape, then decorate the top with paint if you want a pop of color. Leaves, circles and basic geometric shapes all work well, and none of them demand a steady hand.
Pop the finished trivet under a hot dish on the kitchen table and nobody will guess it started life as a scrap.
- Supplies: cork sheet, craft knife
- Skill level: easy
Shoebox Shadow Display
An empty shoebox makes a wonderful little shadow display, and this is the kind of project where there is no single right way to do it. Cover the inside with paper or paint, then add small objects that match whatever scene you have in mind.
Old wrapping paper, cardboard scraps and small finds from outside all work nicely. Perfect for a rainy day with the kids.
- Supplies: shoebox, paper scraps
- Best for: kid friendly crafting
Bottle Vase Paint Dip
This one is such an easy shelf makeover. Clean the glass bottle really well first, then mark where you want the color to stop and paint around the bottom.
You can keep every vase the same shade for a matched set, or give each bottle its own color. Once the paint is dry, add a few flowers and you have a small vase that looks store bought.
- Supplies: glass bottle, craft paint
- Skill level: beginner
Old Keys Wind Chime
Those mystery keys in the junk drawer finally have a job. Tie them at different lengths so they can gently hit one another outside, and you have a wind chime with a soft metallic ring.
Paint the keys first if you want more color, or leave them as they are for an aged look. Hang the finished piece on a porch or from a branch.
- Supplies: old keys, strong string
- Note: meant for outdoor use
Cereal Box Magazine File
How cute would an old cereal box look as a desk organizer, especially with leftover wallpaper or pretty paper on the outside? Cut the top and one side at an angle, cover the cardboard, and you have a magazine file that keeps papers tidy.
If the desk is out of control, make a few matching ones so the whole shelf looks intentional.
- Supplies: cereal box, scissors
- Bonus: low cost and quick
Ice Cream Stick Coasters
Save those wooden craft sticks from the kids supply box and line them up into a square. Glue everything securely, then decorate the top once it is dry.
Paint, stain or washi tape can completely change the look, so a set can be as plain or as bold as you like. Make a full set, because one coaster is never enough.
- Supplies: craft sticks, hot glue
- Skill level: easy
Broken Tile Pot Mosaic
Broken tile or old ceramic pieces that are too pretty to bin can cover a plain flower pot in mosaic. Arrange the pieces around the pot before gluing anything down, then step back and check the pattern. Once you like it, attach everything securely and fill the gaps with grout. Mismatched colors often make the finished mosaic look better.
- Supplies: broken tile, strong glue, grout
- Note: plan the pattern first
Sock Draft Stopper
A single long sock without its partner does not have to wait forever for the missing one to turn up. Fill it with enough weight to hold against the bottom of a door, then close the end securely. Rice makes a good filler.
If one sock is not long enough, two mismatched socks can be joined together. No sewing required, which is my favorite kind of project.
- Supplies: old sock, rice
- Skill level: no sew
Can Lantern Punched Art
An empty food can becomes a lantern when light shines through punched holes. Draw a simple pattern first, then carefully make holes along the lines. Stars, hearts or basic dots are good designs for a first try. Add a battery operated light inside when it is finished and watch the glow appear. Ask an adult to help with the hammer.
- Supplies: tin can, hammer
- Note: adult help needed
Paper Bag Gift Wrap
No wrapping paper in the house? Brown grocery bags are the answer. Cut the bag open so it lies flat, wrap the gift, then decorate with whatever you already have around: string, stamps, a little greenery or leftover ribbon. The kraft look is genuinely lovely, and it saves a trip to the store at the last minute.
- Supplies: paper bag, tape
- Bonus: low cost
Bottle Cap Wind Spinner
A growing pile of bottle caps can become a colorful hanging spinner for the garden. Make small holes in the caps, then connect them with wire so the pieces can move in the breeze. Mix all the colors together, or paint the caps first if you want them to match. Hang it from a porch or a tree branch.
- Supplies: bottle caps, craft wire
- Use: outdoor
Magazine Rolled Frames
Old magazines bring their own color and pattern, so this frame needs very little extra decoration. Cut pages into strips, roll them tightly, and glue each little tube around a plain frame. Mix the bright pages or stick to one color family for a calmer look. It takes patience, but the texture is worth the effort.
- Supplies: old magazines, hot glue
- Note: takes patience
Jean Scrap Coasters
Before you retire a pair of jeans, save the thick seams. Roll a seam into a tight circle, adding glue as you go, and keep rolling until the coaster is wide enough for your favorite mug. No sewing required.
One pair of old jeans can supply enough material for a whole set, which makes this one of the most satisfying scrap projects.
- Supplies: old jeans, hot glue
- Skill level: no sew
Tin Can Wind Chimes
Save a few different can sizes from the kitchen and you have the makings of a backyard wind chime. Paint or cover the cans first, then hang them at different heights using sturdy twine. Beads between the cans add extra color if you want it. Kids can help choose the patterns, but an adult should handle any sharp edges.
- Supplies: tin cans, strong twine
- Use: outdoor
Old T Shirt Yarn Baskets
Old shirts can become a storage basket instead of a cleaning rag. Start by making one long strand of T shirt yarn, then crochet it into a sturdy round basket. Use a few different shirts for stripes, or keep everything one color for a cleaner look. This one is intermediate level, so it suits anyone comfortable holding a crochet hook.
- Supplies: old shirts, crochet hook
- Skill level: intermediate
Cardboard Wall Letters
A large delivery box can fill an empty wall spot without spending a cent on new decor. Draw the letter shape directly onto the cardboard, cut it out, then paint the front once you are happy with the outline. Make a single initial or spell out a whole word if you have enough boxes saved up.
- Supplies: cardboard, craft knife, craft paint
- Note: measure the wall space first
Plastic Spoon Mirror Art
Plastic spoons turn into a sunburst frame with a little patience. Cut off the handles, then glue the spoon tops in overlapping rows around a cardboard circle. Spray paint the finished shape before attaching the mirror in the middle. Count your leftover spoons before you start, because this project eats up more than you expect.
- Supplies: plastic spoons, hot glue, spray paint
- Note: count spoons first
Jar Terrarium Build
An old glass jar can hold a tiny garden. Add pebbles at the bottom, then soil and small plants that fit comfortably through the opening. A little moss on top finishes the look. It is calm, green and surprisingly easy to put together, and it gives a plain jar a whole new purpose on a shelf.
- Supplies: glass jar, small pebbles, live moss
- Note: keep plants small
Bubble Wrap Print Wrap
Resist the urge to pop every bubble, and keep some aside for printing instead. Brush a light coat of paint over the bubbles, then press the wrap onto a large sheet of paper like a stamp. The little circles leave a lovely pattern.
Let the paper dry fully before wrapping a gift, and hand the paint to the kids, because this one mostly runs itself.
- Supplies: bubble wrap, craft paint
- Best for: kid friendly crafting
Old Calendar Envelopes
Last but not least, turn old calendar pages into envelopes. Open an old envelope and use it as a template, trace the shape onto a calendar page, and cut around the outline. Fold the sides into place and glue the edges.
Pick the nicest part of each photo for the front, so every envelope feels like a small gift of its own.
- Supplies: old calendar, scissors, paper glue
- Note: choose the best part of the photo
