cycling as a continuation of recycling means that new things are made from old things that are actually intended for waste. Here we have put together creative ideas for handicrafts – perfect for self-makers and DIY fans. This makes recycling tinkering a success – whether with old toilet paper rolls, egg boxes or plastic bottles.
They are also amazed at the many mountains of plastic and paper waste and keep asking themselves whether you can do better with it? We'll tell you how you can create something new out of waste. Upcycling is the solution – You invent something completely different and at the same time upgrade the material. In the following we present various instructions and ideas that are very easy to imitate.
Great upcycling ideas
Upcycling with toilet paper rolls
Unfortunately, toilet paper rolls cannot really be avoided. The small cardboard tubes accumulate over time. But sometimes it is worth picking up the little things – as well as the cardboard rolls from the kitchen paper.
Simply create cardboard crowns from the small tubes, which you can attach to your head with a rubber band. The crowns are perfect for carnival or the next motto party.
If you like to tidy up, you will definitely like the pencil box made of several tubes. These are simply glued upright into a larger cardboard box and the pen holder is ready.
The small tubes also look very good as last-minute gift packaging. Of course, you can only pack small items such as jewelry, sweets or vouchers. But the small packages are definitely an eye-catcher.
If you want to know in detail and exactly what you have to do with the cardboard rolls, click here: Instructions – Handicrafts with toilet paper rolls
Another decorative idea for cardboard rolls is this noble flower construct. With a little gold and silver lacquer, you can quickly create a great eye-catcher for every sideboard. You can find the instructions here: Tinker cardboard flower displays
Crafts with corks
Cork is one of the materials that are definitely worth collecting carefully and not simply throwing away. Especially after festivals and larger parties, some corks may have accumulated. Then you can start tinkering.
Tip: Before cutting and processing the corks, you should boil them briefly in water. That makes the material smoother.
You can do all kinds of things with cork. If you need table card holders for a party, for example, corks are ideally suited.
Cork can be easily cut and even carved. This means that you can also use this material to create great DIY stamps.
The small bottle caps as key rings – are just as perfect, they are light but large and can be perfectly fished out in your pocket.
Or you can spice up the table decoration a bit with corkont substitutes or a vase for plastic or dried flowers.
The most typical use of cork is that of a pin board. Conventional old pin walls can be taken apart as an example and put together to form a new one. Or you can take the small bottle caps and stick them together in a picture frame. Voilá!
The detailed instructions for the above-mentioned cork upcycling ideas can be found here: Crafts with cork
Can and bottle upcycling
Great DIY creations can also be made from old glass or plastic bottles without a deposit. With the napkin technology you can beautify all materials, such as these flowery decorative bottles or the can.
Find out exactly how this works here: Instructions for napkin technology
Upcycling of egg cartons
Empty egg boxes are usually just as long as the toilet paper rolls. But they are at least as practical. The box can be turned into colorful boxes with a little color – this is the simplest variant.
Otherwise you can make a sparkling lantern – from two 10-seater boxes perfect for the lampshade in November. The glued-on tracing paper makes the light shine through wonderfully.
As already mentioned, a box has not become a box for nothing. Paint and stick the egg box as you wish with bright colors and decorations and you have a pretty jewelry box.
The small egg cups in the boxes look great as flower heads. lined up on a thread result in a wonderful flower mobile for spring.
Find out step by step how to do it here: DIY instructions for egg boxes
More ideas
DIY keyboard
Do you have a lot of useless keys lying around at home? Then you have almost everything you need for a homemade key board. We will tell you this guide from what else you can make small hooks: Build DIY keyboard
Lampshade made of bucket
Lampshades are popular DIY crafting ideas because you can make almost anything out of everything. Like from an old plastic bucket. Some fabric and paste and the bucket shines in new splendor. We show here how this works exactly: Instructions – lampshade