Craft library

“What can I do with…?” is a question we get asked a lot.

Here are some ideas and inspiration from across the internet for simple crafts using waste materials. Many of these crafts are suitable for children, but please take care if you are cutting metal and hard plastics as the edges can be very sharp.

Aluminium or steel drinks can

Tip: Steel is stronger and does not break as easily as aluminium when folded. 

Is my can aluminium or steel? Steel is magnetic, aluminium is not.  

Make a trinket box: https://www.instructables.com/id/Drink-Can-Tinwork/

Make a stove: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvvdLVUJXZc

Make a toy aeroplane: http://www.arvindguptatoys.com/toys/cokeaeroplane.html

Make a bowl or ashtray: http://www.arvindguptatoys.com/toys/Aluminumcanbowl.html

Steel fish can

Make a clamshell box: https://www.instructables.com/id/Upcycled-Clamshell-Tin-Box/ 

Metallised plastic (confectionery and snack wrappers)

Make a woven purse: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdds_8Y_akQ 

PET plastic bottles

Make a broom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFrIsUqKUUM 

Make very strong string with a plastic bottle cutter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE3FOWHFEr4 

Make decorative flowers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7EPwoiMhtE 

Use bottles for gardening: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnR9eGiGm-s 

HDPE plastic bottles

Make a hard plastic sheet or block: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUR6_bQLU-E

Tetrapak

Make a solar cooker: http://solarcooking.org/newsletters/scrjul03.htm 

Make a flapping butterfly toy: http://www.arvindguptatoys.com/toys/tetrabutterfly.html

Make a purse with a lock: http://www.arvindguptatoys.com/toys/Tetrapursewithlock.html 

Textile waste

Make a landscape picture using fabric scraps: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObTxKp7U9VE

Egg boxes (egg cartons)

Make a bouquet of flowers, toy animals, and lots more: https://redtri.com/egg-carton-crafts/slide/1

Other waste materials

Make toys from trash: http://www.arvindguptatoys.com/toys-from-trash.php 

If you have more ideas you would like to share please contact us!

More projects