Eco Know-How - 10 Earth-Friendly Projects You Can Make Yourself

DIY projects are fun and inexpensive - especially when they benefit the earth as well. This collection of DIY creations minimizes landfill waste by recycling ordinary household trash destined for the garbage. From plastic bags and old CD cases to your favorite t-shirt and last year's curtains, you can rescue your trash and turn it into something unique!

One-of-a-Kind Gift Bows

A handmade, recycled bow is the perfect finishing touch for your eco-friendly gifts! Each bow rescues a plastic shopping bag from an otherwise harmful ending and should only take about 10 minutes to make. Choose colorful bags to match your gift wrapping.

Personalized Picture Frame

An old jewel case is the ideal start to a handmade picture frame. Paint, leftover scrapbook paper, buttons, and other accessories can decorate your frame, while small dowels or old skewers provide support to keep the display upright.

Reusable Shopping Bags

DIY shopping bags are stronger and more durable than plastic store bags - they're also much better for the planet. This collection of 5 reusable bag projects range from easy and quick to difficult and timely, and recycle t-shirts, sheets, and old plastic bags.

Pop Bracelet

Before you toss your soda can into the recycle bin, save the tab and create unique jewelry with it! This recycled bracelet requires about 20 tabs, an elastic cord, and a fastener - plus some creativity, patience, and a little time to spare.

Greeting Card Ornaments

It's a shame to throw out your greeting cards once the holiday season is over. If you're not already reusing cards for collages and scrapbooking, why not turn them into a unique ornament that can be remembered for years to come! This recycled greeting card ornament requires about 20 paper circles, scissors, and glue. Embellish your creation with a scrap of ribbon for hanging and a bit of glitter.

No Sew Rag Rug

Once your clothing, curtains, and sheets have seen their last days of wear - turn them into an 

eco-chic rug, potholder, or placemat! The rug is made by braiding and weaving the fabric scraps together until the desired size is reached. Strips from plastic bags may also work if you're wanting to create an intriguing mat for outdoors.

Cardboard Furniture

Cardboard packaging creates a great deal of waste that can be reused to make bookcases, tables, and adorable furniture for children. Cardboard is stable and sturdy, obviously capable of supporting a great deal of weight. Download patterns to create your own child-sized stool and chair from cardboard at foldschool.

Timely Stationary 

Calendars are so pretty and personal but after a year, it's time to throw them away. Instead of trashing your annual beauties, turn your calendars into notecards with matching envelopes.  You'll need scissors, glue, and an envelope to use as a pattern. This recycled stationary is unique, beautiful, and easy to make.

Floppy Disk Accessories

If you happen to still have a few floppy disks lying around, there are all sorts of functional and creative DIY projects you can make. Your old floppies can become USB drives, notepads, letter holders, or CD holders. Here are 10 interesting ways to recycle your outdated floppy disks.

Pretty Ribbon Dispenser

Your fabric scraps and empty oat containers are all you need to create a useful and unique recycled ribbon holder. A wooden dowel will hold several rolls of ribbon, while a carefully cut opening allows the ribbon to easily dispense. This creative project is perfect for your craft room or just to store wrapping ribbons without untangling a mess when you're ready to use them.