How to Make Things Out of Recycled Items

You can rework many items you throw away to create usable items.

Finding alternative uses for materials you might typically throw away is a way to recycle. Before you throw away that old newspaper or coffee bag, take a moment to think about alternative uses for these items. With a little creativity and a few materials you can turn your trash into handy household items.

Things You'll Need

• Sheet of newspaper
• Scissors
• Paper towel roll
• Rubber band
• Tape
• Empty coffee bag
• Hot water
• 2 tbsp. baking soda
• Self-adhesive hook and loop dots

Instructions

Newspaper Basket

1. Cut a sheet of newspaper into 5-by-22-inch strips. Fold each strip lengthwise until it is about an inch wide.

2. Lay two strips of paper together so that they form the shape of a cross and tape the pieces together. Lay and tape four additional pieces across the first two to create an asterisk shape. These strips will form the base of the basket.

3. Place the asterisk shaped base on top of the paper towel roll and center it on the roll. Fold the strips down over the roll and place a rubber band around the top of the strips to secure them to the roll.

4. Start at the base of the basket and weave another folded strip into the base covering the tube. Tuck the strip under one of the base strips and tape the end in place. Weave the strip over the next base strip and continue this over, under weaving until you have completed the entire piece. Tape the end in place and begin the process with another strip of newspaper. Continue until you have covered all but the top 1 ½ inch of the tube.

5. Remove the rubber band and pull the paper towel roll from the woven basket. Fold the tops of the strips around the rim down into the basket and tape them inside.

Recycled Sandwich Wrap

1. Swirl warm, soapy water inside the coffee bag and rinse it out. Fill the bag with two tablespoons of baking soda and hot water and hold the bag closed while swirling the mixture inside. Allow the bag to sit half an hour.

2. Rinse the bag and cut open the bottom. Gently open the bag along the seam and lay it out to dry.

3. Cut the dried bag into a 10-inch square. Attach the hook and loop dots onto opposite corners of the square. Place one dot on the inside of the bag and the other on the outside of the opposite corner.

4. Wrap the square around your sandwich using the folding method you would use to wrap a gift. Use the hook and loop dots to hold the wrap in place.

References

• Family Fun: Coffee Bag Sandwich Wrap
• Family Fun: Newsprint Basket