What is reusing or upcycling?
Reusing is when you take an item and use it again and again for different purposes. Upcycling is when you take the item and upgrade it to something new. Both benefit our environment! Once you’re done reusing the item you can recycle it! When you are done with your upcycled item, as long as it doesn’t have paint, glue or unacceptable items in/on it you can recycle it!
Always try to first reduce the amount of waste you are producing. You can do this by buying items with less packaging and not buying unnecessary items. The next step is to reuse the items you do have to buy. Recycling is one of the most important steps in this process. Recycling helps conserve resources by reusing the materials we have already manufactured to make something new instead of using additional natural resources to produce new items.
How to reuse and upcycle the 6!
The 6 are the six items that are accepted in your Blue Recycling Bins; Paper, Plastic Bottles & Containers, Cardboard, Glass Bottles & Jars, Metal Food and Beverage Cans, Food and Beverage Cartons. Here are some of our ideas on how to reuse and upcycle them. If you want to share your reuse and upcycling ideas please tag us on our social media pages! @STLCityRecycles.
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Paper
Paper is all around us- Newspapers, Magazines, Homework, Handouts and more! Here are a few ways to reuse or upcycle that paper:
- unmarked paper can be reused to take notes
- used paper can be used for a variety of crafts
- use paper as packing material when moving fragile items to prevent damage
- upcycle magazine pictures into a collage or paper beads
- upcycle paper by making your own pulp and turning it into custom paper
Plastic Bottles & Containers
Lots of items come in plastic packaging, and that packaging can be reused or upcycled before being recycled eventually! Here are some examples we came up with:
- reuse the bottle as a water bottle
- reuse the container as a water tray for plants
- reuse the bottle or container to store items
- reuse the container or bottle as a plant watering can
- reuse the bottle to propagate plants
- upcycle the container into a “pretty container”
Cardboard
Remember, cardboard should only go in the recycling if it is clean and dry! (If you paint it or get it too dirty, please don’t put it in the recycling after!) Cardboard can be reused or upcycled like this:
- reuse the cardboard to transport or store items
- upcycle the cardboard into a fort/house for your pets, kids or both!
- add cardboard to compost
- upcycle the cardboard into a sign (garage sale or other informational sign)
Glass Bottles & Jars
Glass is one of the best recyclables because it is infinitely recyclable! This means glass does not loose its structural integrity over time as it gets recycled. Here are some ways to reuse and upcycle glass:
- reuse glass jars for food and item storage
- reuse glass bottles as a water bottle
- upcycle the glass into glass pieces for a mosaic or other art project
- upcycle the glass bottle into drinking glasses
- reuse them by using them for plant propagation
- reuse the jar by doing a DIY candle
Metal Food and Beverage Cans
Metals like aluminum and steel are used to package food items like beans, corn and animal or pet food. Aluminum and steel are also one of the best recyclables because they are infinitely recyclable! Here are some ways you can reuse and upcycle them:
- reuse metal food and beverage cans as a plant pot
- reuse them as a pencil holder or other arts and craft project
Food and Beverage Cartons
Food and Beverage Cartons are used as packaging for items like broth, milk and carton water. Here are some fun and creative ways to upcycle them!
- upcycle the cartons into a DIY dollhouse or other play town for kids
- upcycle them into DIY storage or organizing containers
Do you have an example you want to share? Tag us on social media! @STLCityRecycles
