Reuse Resources on the Web

The internet abounds with ideas for reusing materials that you might otherwise throw away.

Here are a few resources to help you start turning your “trash” into treasure and to give you some ideas for brainstorming your own reuse projects…

Reuse Project - Fabric Scrap Quilts

EtsyLabs provides an easy to follow tutorial on how to fuse plastic grocery bags into fashionable clothing and accessories.
The Imagination Factory’s Trash Matcher site matches a list of waste materials to a list of required materials for various art activities for kids. Many of the projects are great for adults too. Ideas include making a scarecrow out of old telephone directories and a paper mache bowl out of brown paper grocery sacks. Tons of ideas and inspiration here.
The Readymade Project Archive provides electronic reams of sensible advice and instruction for converting recycled and/or discarded materials into brilliantly realized necessities of modern life.
- Check out the McGyver Recycle Challenges in the older issues and learn to make beautiful pillows from an old bridesmaid’s dress or a clock from an old VHS tape.

If any of the projects call for add-ons that don’t meet planet-certified standards of eco friendliness, get creative and think of ways you can green the process.

Article Contributors: Julie Reid