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…

• 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.