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10 Cool DIY Projects You Can Create with Recycled Materials
Some of the most charming home decor starts life in the recycling bin. These 10 cool DIY projects you can create with recycled materials turn jars, tins, bottles, pallets and cardboard into useful, good-looking pieces, saving money and keeping waste out of landfill.
Materials and what to make
| Item | Why it works |
|---|---|
| Glass jars | Lanterns, storage and vases |
| Tin cans | Planters and pen pots |
| Wine bottles | Vases and bud displays |
| Wooden pallets | Shelves and planters |
| Cardboard | Drawer dividers and organisers |
Glass and tins
- Wrap glass jars in twine and add a battery tea light for lanterns.
- Paint tin cans and drill drainage holes for succulent planters.
- Turn clean bottles into vases for single stems and foliage.
- Use jars as matching pantry storage with painted lids.
Wood
- Build a pallet wall shelf for plants or spices.
- Make a pallet herb planter lined with landscape fabric.
- Turn an old drawer into a wall shelf or under-bed box.
Paper and fabric
- Cut cardboard into drawer dividers covered in leftover wallpaper.
- Weave old T-shirts into a rag rug or plant hanger.
- Cover cereal boxes in fabric to make magazine files.
Tip: Wear gloves when handling tins and glass, and file or tape any sharp edges. Only use pallets stamped HT (heat treated), never MB (methyl bromide), sand them to avoid splinters and wear a mask while sanding. Use battery tea lights rather than open flames inside twine or paper-wrapped jars.
FAQ
What are the easiest recycled DIY projects?
Jar lanterns, tin can planters and bottle vases need little more than paint and twine.
Are wooden pallets safe to use indoors?
Choose pallets marked HT, clean and sand them, and avoid any with stains or unknown markings.
How do I remove labels from jars?
Soak in warm soapy water, then rub off the glue with a little oil and bicarbonate of soda.
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