50 Times People Showed How They Remade Things Instead Of Throwing Them Away And The Internet Applauded Them
If you've never heard the buzzword ‘upcycle,’ you’ve probably been off to the moon. The trend of creative reuse is all about transforming products that would otherwise end up in the trash.
Why? Because it’s is a great way to reuse materials and reduce our footprint. Plus, it’s fun and if you're still not convinced, below we have plenty of evidence of people using their skills and ingenuity to give old stuff a new life.
From a handcrafted tote bag made from a bunch of plastic bags to an old grill transformed into a cute herb garden, nothing seems impossible for these handy people. Scroll down, upvote your fave remade objects, and be sure to share your own upcycling ideas in the comments below!
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This Kind Man Is Recycling Old Camp Coolers To Make Warm Kitty Shelters For Winter! How Cool Is This?!
I need to show this to the "cat lady" I know, she has some ferals that live in her yard. Perfect waterproof kitty hutches!
There are several similar great ideas with instructions on the internet
Load More Replies...I love this!! Feral cats often suffer due to overbuilding, as many animals do. Giving them comfort like this is a humane act of highest order!
Do they have backdoors so our feline friends can make a hasty exit, stage right, just in case a skunk follows them in?
What you would have to do is to leave the lid unlatched so a scared kitty could push it up and escape.
Load More Replies...The School Security Guard Decided To Save The Discarded Benches And Gave Them A Second Life
The wasteful school. They are the wrong example for kids. Educators???
Load More Replies...Really well done, congratulations! The only sad thing is that a school needs a security guard.
Sign of the times unfortunately. Personally, I'm glad for the students! He looks like he could handle any trouble and he's very talented! 😊
Load More Replies...I Take Plastic Shipping /Bale Straps From Hardware Store Waste, And Make Sturdy, Functional & Fashionable Baskets! (My Cats Also Love Them At Every Stage)
Wow, how do some people come up with these ideas. Great way to recycle those plastic strips.
Every year we dump a massive 2.12 billion tons of waste. If all this waste was put on trucks, they would go around the world 24 times. This stunning amount of waste is partly because 99 percent of the stuff we buy is trashed within 6 months.
Luckily, more and more people are now becoming aware of the damage of the waste they produce and the footprint they leave on their planet by consuming stuff on a daily basis. Sustainable consumption is a way to do more and better with less, meaning that we give old products a whole new life.
To find out more about the now-trending practice of upcycling, we talked to Lina Survila, an editor-in-chief of Abstract Stylist magazine. “Upcycling is a re-use of no longer desirable items. It can be something that has lost its function or simply doesn't spark joy anymore,” Lina explained this buzzword.
Pulled Out Of A Trash Heap. It Was One Part Of A Military File Cabinet. Thorough Cleaning, Paint And A Little Shining Up Followed By Wrapping It In Wood From My Scrap Pile. Added Some Legs And Bingo Bango!
I am now going to incorporate “Bingo-Bango” into my daily vocabulary! 💕
I agree. I think we all need to use this every day forever. Bingo bango. Bam. Like that.
Load More Replies...This Rug Used To Be A Bunch Of Ugly T-Shirts
Rug braiding is sooooo easy too! The hardest part is just the monotony of cutting enough strips of material. The braiding then stitching together is a breeze.
I was gonna make my daughter a rag rug out of old bed sheets but then the thought of cutting all the strips put me off.
Load More Replies...Beautiful. My grandmother used to collect old clothes and we have several mats made from them.
The use of the colors is incredible. Not any one color rules with black as the overlay. Well done!
I Convinced My Friend To Not Throw Away His Old Fencing And Let Me Build Him Garden Boxes. How Do You Think They Came Out?
I think that your friend would've regretted otherwise. What wood ya know?
I did the same sort of thing for my Mum. She had a planter that was very weak and started falling apart, so I reinforced/replaced bits with old fence and wood they were going to throw away. It's survived years longer than it would have!
Incredible and amazing!!! thank you for thinking what you could do.....you truly are a hero!!!!
“Creative upcycling is becoming more and more popular as people are looking for new ways to express their creativity and stay original,” she said and added that “the sustainability aspect is a strong motivator to give items a second life.”
When asked whether people are becoming more aware about producing less waste in their daily lives, Lina assured us that this is definitely the case. “People are definitely talking more about conscious lifestyle choices than they used to.”
But it’s not all up to them. If we talk about the greatest impact in producing waste, we need to realize that “big changes, especially in the fashion industry, should come from big brands making their supply chain more clean and transparent.” So the companies that produce huge amounts of stuff, like the famous fast fashion brands, are really the ones to blame.
Earrings Who Lost Their Mates Turned Into A Charm Bracelet
That's a really good idea. Now if only I can come up with a use for my orphaned socks.
Marvy idea! I never have orphan earrings as I always wear two different ones. I keep to the same theme, colour, or style and people usually don't even notice. Love their faces when they say, "Love your earrings!" to my one side and I turn to show off the other side, "What about this one?". Delightful. Keeps me young.
I like the one with one big eye and two little legs.
Load More Replies...I'm 76. I've never worn matching earrings. When I meet my friends, the first thing they want to do is check my earrings. I've never found a rule that says they have to match. I collect "singles" from all over. (My socks don't match either)
What a wonderful idea - I've got my own starter kit of lonely only earrings.
I Turned An Old Microwave Cart Into A Rolling LEGO Stand For My Daughters For Christmas
I like how there's no "girl's" lego sets in there, because girls can play with whatever lego they damn well want. so can boys
Upcycled 3 Old T-Shirts Into 1 New One
Or used as rags...that's what I do with my unwearable t-shirts.
Load More Replies...“The more we upcycle, the more we choose not to buy something new. It's like making dinner from scraps—you use something most people would throw away, and you save money,” Lina said. She’s also a believer in a conscious lifestyle that’s something to be affordable for all and not reserved for the people with higher incomes.
You can upcycle virtually anything, from clothes and accessories to household objects. “I upcycle paper boxes and bags, glass bottles, and old textiles. For example, you can upcycle your old bed linen to small kitchen napkins or towels. Also, use boxes as containers for storage, build compartments in your closet from them,” the editor concluded.
Turned An Old Fan With A Bad Motor Into A Lamp
Bad for the cable connection though, being spun around in one direction; so you'd have to have some smart contraption.
Load More Replies...Made Some Shorts, A Bucket Hat And A Bag All From One Old Jacket
I am amazed at how much you made. Well done. When you can sew, you can do anything.
Some people are so clever with the needle. These are awesome - well done!!
A Rose For My Partner On Our Anniversary, Made From Recycled Cutlery
A rose by any other name would swell just as meat. See what I did there?
Shame on thee, sir, for thy joke which hath caused the very heavens above to blush.
Load More Replies...If only more people would use their imagination instead of having their face buried in an iPad or iPhone this country would.be first in all categories. This rose is absolutely stunning.
Vert touching - I hope you appreciated it ! My husband made me a ring from a fork tine. Great isn't it. Crafting is so much more appreciated than the expensive equivalent, I think !!?
My Vintage TV Barn Find Turned Into My New Bar Cart
What films are on TV tonight? .....Cocktail followed by the Hangover
Load More Replies...Vintage tvs are great for decoration! I also like when they make them a kitty box!!
Anybody notice the picture above this lovely bar cart? I really like it!
Turned An Old Office Credenza Into A New TV Stand
Why would you paint over something so gorgeous?! It now looks like any of the cheapo stuff you can get in any flat pack store
It's still particle-board, just 1990s office-grade particle board.
Load More Replies...The Drink Tray I Got From A Cafe Is A Reused Milk Carton
Made A Fairy Succulent Garden Patio Area With A Broken Pot
My niece makes little fairy houses/scenes in pot plants - gonna have to show her this!
Oh I've made one of these before. :) This one looks way better though! Love it!
I Repurpoused My Old Grill Into A Small Herb Garden! I Hope All The Seeds Grow Soon
Handpainted Them. Love How These Turned Out!
Why? You just have to open them, then you can browse all the content. Sounds fine to me. ;)
Load More Replies...Picked Up A Used Cardigan That Turned Out To Look Much Better In The Picture Than In Person, So I Turned It Back To Yarn And Crocheted The Yarn Into A Cat Bed (I Didn't Use A Pattern)
I now want a cat so I have an excuse to have a cute bed like this in my house!
Make the bed, put it outside for about an hour, put the bed and new cat inside.
Load More Replies...I'd love something like this but who am I kidding? My idiot cats would still sleep in boxes and my oversized dog would try to sleep in it then chew it to bits!
I think I might use your idea to get the yarn so I can crochet another blanket for Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston.
And the cat will promptly ignore it and rest in the box the cardigan came in..
That makes me want to buy old sweaters like that… and learn to crochet.
IKEA Backpack
Those blue bags (the material) are almost indestructible... that backpack will last as long as the seams etc. do.
I use them for laundry baskets. It allows me to carry like 3-4 laundry baskets worth of clothes in one trip 😂. The one I have that is "breaking" is just has a split seam.
Load More Replies...A Neighbor Was Giving Away This Kid Size Chest Of Drawers For Free, So I Snagged It And Made It Into A Quarantine Bar
Makes sense. Covid was/is stressful and stress makes some people turn to drugs and alcohol.
Load More Replies...That chest is usually known as a Low Boy. Not necessarily a kid's chest. I sort of like the original better.
Swater Not Won Since 1996 And A Zipper From An Old Bag = Wool Overall For My Kid
People complaining about itchiness are weird. And whiners. So there. I love it. I grew up in wool.
I'm assuming since it's an overall, there would be a layer worn underneath... and fine wool sweaters would not be scratchy.
Turned A Thrifted Blanket Into These Ridiculous Sweats
My OCD is triggered. The fur is laying the wrong way. Should be flowing down not up.
That caught my eye too. A friend reupholstered a couch in velvet and failed to take the nap into account. It looked like patchwork afterward.
Load More Replies...Unused Bags, It's Time To Do Some Handicraft
For those unwilling to Google, this is called, “Plarn,” and I’ve taught children how to do this. Not this fancy, of course, but it’s a real thing! https://www.kitchentableclassroom.com/plarn-plastic-bags-into-yarn/
We always save plastic bags and reuse them for trash, cat litter, dog poop, etc.
I thought, that's what almost everybody does?! But it seems to be quite different in the US... Sad.
Load More Replies...Nice croched.... Really pretty. But how is to hold your hands against the plastic...
My mother in law used to crochet carriers for water bottles out of plastic bags. I remember the first one I saw was hanging from the handle on her walker, lol. I thought it was genius! And yes the white part is plastic too. She made a couple for us with our favorite NFL team's colors. Sadly they do get brittle with time and start to break so I don't have them anymore.
I had a friend of mine that made tote bags out of plastic and I feel maybe I need to learn or try
I Read That A Lot Of Donated Clothes End Up In Landfills Anyway, So Started Saving Our Old Fabrics/Textiles That Didn’t Seem Nice Enough For Resale. Finally Used Them To Make This Pet Bed!
Excellent, make more and sell them, save money for Christmas !!!
Check out the Up-Cycled Cloth Collective. It's world-wide. You'll enjoy it.
Goodwill sends the unsellable clothing to a distribution center that in turn sell them to a company that turns them into rags and sell them .
A Raincoat For My Dog Made Out Of A Broken Promotional Umbrella (She’s Not Impress)
Teacup Birdfeeders Made By Me
All I can think of is any big fat bird, squirrel, bear, etc comes by and demolishes them.
All I can think of now is a bear taking the cup and throwing out its pinky-claw while 'drinking' the seeds from the feeder :-D
Load More Replies...Yeah, defini..*SQUIRREL* What did you say? (I saw 'up' a few days ago-sorry)
Load More Replies...No, birds don't have money; they pay by their lovely presents and in cheerful songs.
Made A Bag For My Mom's Yarn From Old Window Screen
This makes me nervous...screen could have so many edges yarn can get snagged on...
I was going to say that too. Not sure if I'd want frayed yarn.
Load More Replies...Repurposed An Old Cable Spool Into A Table For My Zero Waste Store
I've got one of those in my back-garden at the moment, with stuff on. It's not so much a "table" yet, as I haven't tarted it up at all, rather it's a "cable-reel that I use for putting stuff on" :)
Well, that's what tables are for, so... You have a spool table :)
Load More Replies...The second pic was taken with a distorted view (fisheye or panoramic, likely to show the whole store in one pic) and that's why the table looks stretched.
Load More Replies...A friend of mine turns them into garden tables . They look pretty good when finnished .
I had one of these and used it as a "coffee table" back in 1978. 😎
I have always wanted one of these as a backyard picnic table but could never get my hands on a good size spool. Those things are hard to get ahold of.
My Old Favourite Jeans Turned Into A Pen Roll
Denim Friends From Old Jeans
Impressive! Anyone who does anything with jeans, impressive! I freakin hate working with them (although my 40 yr old clunky sewing machine and old scissors probably don't help ;P)
How cute. What a great idea especially from clothes the kid outgrew!
Very creative, like it, could make a mobile, child's room !!!
Got This Pillowcase At A Local Thrift Store For 50 Cents! Flipped It Into A Cute Purse!
Twice a year our local furniture store gives me their fabric upholstery swatches. Some are leather and I make purses with them. I used a lot of the fabric ones to make stuffed bunnies for kids at Easter.
How did it go from tiny ice cream cones to JUMBO ICE CREAM CONES? Same subject matter but different sizes
I think the pic of the fabric doesn't show it's actually a biggish piece.
Load More Replies...A Knit A Sweater Made Entirely Of Old /Scrap Yarns I Had Lying Around
I wouldn't but it doesn't mean it doesn't looks great on her and the idea of repurposing is perfect!!
Load More Replies...You get a + just for using the correct verb - "lying" instead of the viral "laying" ! You da gal!
Repurposed A Diaper Box + Some Contact Paper Into A Little Bookcase For My Son
My Mom Made This Pig Planter
Someone a block away from me did something like this, there was an old tire chained to a street corner, it had been there a while, they painted it yellow and planted some flowers inside it :)
Ultimate Upcycling! Abandoned Car To Airbnb!
This is a clever idea. Something different and quirky that would appeal to many and a great way to make some extra money.
When you have unexpected guests, when a friend should not be allowed to drive, when...
I would love to own one but only if it runs and I'd use it not rent it out
Load More Replies...No facilities? I'd have to pass. My sister stayed in an airbnb tree house, had to climb down in the dark, to use one in the house.
Bought A Men's Shirt For $3 And Turned It Into A Twin Set!
I Turned An Old Dresser Into A Microwave Stand!
Mine is that low and it's actually not very inconvenient. I much prefer the extra counter space.
Load More Replies...Is this actually safe? Don't you have to keep an open space over and around a microwave?
I'd much rather have that than the microwave above the stove. Absolutely HATE it!
Update! TV With Cats (And You Can See The Chandelier I Made From An Old Vase)
Turned An Old Mannequin Hand And Gold Metal Tray Into A Light! (Not My Idea Originally, I Saw Some Similar Online)
Also would be nice for hand towels in the bathroom or to put keychains on.
From Ruined Jeans To An Area Rug
i have seen a banana as reference quite a few times on here.....is this a new thing? I like it. who needs quarters? BaNaNa!!!!!!!!
Upcycled An Old Candle Lid
Now this I love! You could even paint the wood in different colors
IKEA Bags Into Windbreaker
Yes it is. If I remember rightly these were done as like an internet challenge to see what people could make using IKEA bags. I believe it was after Balenciaga (a fashion company) was trying to sell a bag that looked almost identical to the Ikea bag, but for thousands of dollars.
Load More Replies...Old Handmade Writing Desk Turned Into A Changing Table For The New Nursery
It is beautiful, but I also think too small for a child.
Load More Replies...Darling for what it is, a desk. It would be awkward to manage to change the baby, clean up a messy baby when the chains get in the way. No way.
That’s dangerous. The writing desk will not take the baby’s weight .
Upcycled Bicycle Wheel
warning: stealing bike wheels can lead to divorce!
Load More Replies...Something I Made From Old Bicycle Parts And Christmas Lights
Really nice with the old scroll marks on the braking surfaces.
Load More Replies...I Turned Old Perfume Bottles Into Room Diffusers
FYI - be careful with the essential oils used for the scent - many are toxic to cats and other rodent\reptile family members.
I Turned My Friend's Old Dress Shirt Into A Crop Top With A Matching Mask And Scrunchie!
Took Two Old Shirts And Made Two New Ones!
Reminds me of something I saw once where a guy was being two guys by wearing a shirt that was one color o the front a different color in back
I would find the uneven lengths intensely irritating, but this is clever if you can stand to wear it 👍
Upcycled A Thrifted Suit By Painting On It ! It Took Me About 30 Hours, But I Love The Result
I probably wouldn't wear it to a funeral, but it's perfect for a lot of casual events. Nothing wrong with being colorful.
Load More Replies...Very cool. I'm always complaining that so many articles of clothing don't have designs on the back. Maybe add something to the back of the pant legs?
Are you familiar with the stage tailor Nudie? This reminds me of his work. I love it.
A Bed Made Out Of An Old Towel And Stuffing From An Even Older Soft Toy, For My Cat!
''This is a nice bed, hoomin. You will be spared.''
Load More Replies...I Made This Cosy Pj Set From My Old Blanket And I'm So Happy With The Outcome Since I've Never Made Shorts Before!
My Neighbour Was Throwing Out An Old Bench. I Gave It A New Lease Of Life
Vintage Tiny TV Upcycling!
I Needed A Travel Pill Container For A Big Trip. Rather Than Buying One, I Made One Out Of An Old Altoids Tin And An Old Plastic Membership Card
Rx medications should always be in their original bottles. That way you won't get busted for possession of an illegal substance. For example: the blue pills are a banned substance in the USA. Just saying...
We have little blue pills in the US. Old men use them all the time.
Load More Replies...I do this and keep the Rx bottle stickers on index cards in the bottom of the box, updated monthly. I have way too many prescriptions to carry the bottles around in my purse.
Where i live pink benadryl is all we have 🤷🏻♀
Load More Replies...A grumpy cop or TSA agent may bust you for over the counter meds out of the original bottle, too, without the name printed on the pill.
this looks like something Hunter S. Thompson would have in a pocket for a trip to Las Vegas
I Initially Thought This Was A Photo Organizer Or Recipe Card Holder, But It Appears To Be A Floppy Disk Organizer! Anyway, I Fell In Love With Its Little Roll Top At The Thrift Store And Took It Home To Upcycle Into A Charging Station. It’s So Nice To Have A Way To Hide All The Ugly Cables!
Good ol' times..you could bypass the copy protection with a perforator..
It's a cool box, but this repurpose wastes a tremendous amount of space.
I Turned A 1952 Rca TV Into My New Home Bar
I see Kraken! Excellent choice of spiced rum for a friendly price. And still tastes well with coke for those who prefer a smoother ride.
Used A Paper Towel Roll, Hot Glue, And Some Leftover Rope From Another Project To Make A Cat Scratcher For My New Kitten
By "paper towel roll", do they mean the cardboard thing that's in the middle of every roll? If so, this scratcher is not gonna last long.
My cat has the same toy! She loves it to pieces and I’ve repaired it so many times…
Repurposed My Old Bike As A Shirt Rack
I'd prefer to see an 80's steel frame fixie restored and being used on the road...
This doesn't look like a shirt rack, it just looks like a busted old bike hanging on your wall
I kinda do that anyway.....my poor bike. Could put a dummy axle in the front fork and have a tie/belt rack to go with.
In the bike shop I used to work at, we cut the frame at the top tube and down tube and made the remaining bare frame into a stool with the seat post and a big butt saddle.
Load More Replies...It's amazing but it also makes me feel useless... how can people have so many skills?
Load More Replies...Most of these projects take a bit of talent. I have wonderful Ideas when I get done it looks like a group of kindergarten destroyers were let loose. I must be wonderful to have talent - I congratulate all of them!
It takes practice, these are people who started out the same way & just focused on one thing, then practiced over & over til they improved. It's just like learning to play a musical instrument, or a sport - not one single person is perfect at anything when they are starting out. Pick one thing, keep working at it, and don't give up!
Load More Replies...I liked these a lot, was super jealous of some, and do wish that things like the bag made of strapping had a step by step how to attached. The idea that these people spent some time on something that made them happy is enough for me to be also happy. Whether not your taste or style, that you do not see value in the item or not, see value in the initiative and time spent and how good they felt.
A bunch of these are fun ideas, but the labeling is deceptive. "I got this for $3" leaves out the considerable amount of skill and 6 hours of your time that went into it.
This was a great article. All of these ideas are terrific. But one thing I don't understand is what is going on with all the negative comments. Didn't people ever learn about "if you don't have something nice to say then don't say anything"? There is so much nastiness in the comments I was shocked.
It's amazing but it also makes me feel useless... how can people have so many skills?
Load More Replies...Most of these projects take a bit of talent. I have wonderful Ideas when I get done it looks like a group of kindergarten destroyers were let loose. I must be wonderful to have talent - I congratulate all of them!
It takes practice, these are people who started out the same way & just focused on one thing, then practiced over & over til they improved. It's just like learning to play a musical instrument, or a sport - not one single person is perfect at anything when they are starting out. Pick one thing, keep working at it, and don't give up!
Load More Replies...I liked these a lot, was super jealous of some, and do wish that things like the bag made of strapping had a step by step how to attached. The idea that these people spent some time on something that made them happy is enough for me to be also happy. Whether not your taste or style, that you do not see value in the item or not, see value in the initiative and time spent and how good they felt.
A bunch of these are fun ideas, but the labeling is deceptive. "I got this for $3" leaves out the considerable amount of skill and 6 hours of your time that went into it.
This was a great article. All of these ideas are terrific. But one thing I don't understand is what is going on with all the negative comments. Didn't people ever learn about "if you don't have something nice to say then don't say anything"? There is so much nastiness in the comments I was shocked.
