Get inspired with these recycled crafts using cardboard, jars, bottle caps, fabric scraps, and more! Creative DIY ideas that turn everyday items into something amazing.
If you’ve ever looked at an empty cereal box, mason jar lid, or pile of bottle caps and thought, “I should probably save this for something,” congratulations. You are officially one of us.
Honestly, recycled crafts are some of my favorite projects because they combine creativity, low cost supplies, and sustainability – the pure satisfaction of giving everyday items a second life instead of tossing them into the trash.
And the best part? These ideas don’t look recycled.
We’re talking home decor, organizers, gifts, wall art, storage ideas, and fun little projects you’ll actually want to display around your house. Some are perfect for kids, some are surprisingly stylish, and some are just a blast because they let you turn random odds and ends into something unexpectedly cool.
I also love that recycling through crafting feels a little more personal than simply tossing items into a bin. Reusing things like cardboard, yarn, paper towel rolls, egg carton pieces, jars, lids, bottle caps, and wrapping paper turns ordinary clutter into craft projects with personality.
Plus, recycled crafts are basically the official activity of Earth Day in my house.
There’s just something satisfying about looking at old craft materials and imagining their new life instead of sending them to the landfill. It’s an eco-friendly craft approach that encourages creativity while also being budget friendly.
And honestly? Some of the best craft ideas happen because you’re forced to get inventive with what you already have.
So whether you’re looking for a kid-friendly afternoon activity, a fun craft for adults, or simply a fun way to use up your recycling stash, these recycled crafts are packed with inspiration.
A few quick tips before you dive in:
- save cardboard packaging
- keep pretty bottle caps and lids
- stash fabric scraps and yarn
- save an egg carton or two
- don’t toss old magazines or cereal boxes
You never know what’s going to become your next favorite craft idea.
Recycled Craft Ideas
DIY Desk Organizer
Turn cereal boxes and TP tubes into colorful desk storage that keeps pens, pencils, scissors, and supplies organized without spending much money.
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Egg Carton Art
This colorful egg carton canvas project is one of those recycled crafts that looks cheerful hanging anywhere in your house.
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Recycled CD Coasters
These colorful coasters rescue outdated CDs and turn them into practical decor that still looks bright, cheerful, and useful.
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Magazine Collage
This recycled wall art collage project transforms old magazines into bold artwork that’s full of color, texture, personality, and creativity.
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DIY Cell Phone Holder
Use a plastic bottle and pieces of fabric to make a charging pocket that’s surprisingly useful and honestly pretty genius.
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DIY Night Light
This mason jar light glows beautifully at night and makes a fun craft project for both kids and adults alike.
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Recycle Glass Bottles Into Vases
A little paint turns every plastic bottle or glass bottle into colorful vases that brighten shelves, tables, and windowsills beautifully.
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Styrofoam Tray
Cover a foam tray with fabric and glue for an inexpensive organizer that instantly looks cuter sitting on your vanity.
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Magazine Bowl
This bowl made from rolled magazine pages is one of those recycled crafts people genuinely can’t believe started as trash.
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Paper Beads
Turn colorful paper scraps into handmade beads for jewelry projects that are lightweight, cheerful, and surprisingly relaxing to make.
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Easy Suncatchers
Use a recycled lid, colorful tissue paper, and glue to create bright window decorations that kids absolutely have a blast making.
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Decorating Glass Pickle Jars
These decorated jars are perfect for storing colored pencils, beads, crayons, or random little supplies that usually disappear into drawers.
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Junk Mail Art Using Recycled Mailers
This wall art proves junk mail still has potential when combined with glue, creativity, and a little willingness to experiment.
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Bottle Cap Magnets
These bottle caps become adorable magnets that are easy enough for kids while still looking fun displayed on your refrigerator. Here's another mid-century version with cute clocks!
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Weaving Loom
This yarn weaving project is an eco-friendly craft that uses cardboard looms to create colorful wall hangings with lots of handmade texture.
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DIY Faux Leather Journal
Paper bags become a gorgeous faux leather journal cover with rich texture and vintage-inspired style that looks surprisingly high end.
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DIY Party Favors
Make inexpensive party favors using toilet paper tubes and scrapbook paper for celebrations that still feel thoughtful and creative.
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DIY Photo Album
Reusing recycled cereal boxes for a scrapbook-style album is such a meaningful way to store memories, photos, and little keepsakes.
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DIY Book Safe
This hidden storage idea turns an old hardcover into secret storage that honestly feels straight out of a Nancy Drew mystery.
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Recycle Cookie Tins
Old tins become beautiful storage containers with fabric scraps, making this a low cost organization project anyone can tackle.
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Cereal Box Notepads
Cereal boxes become notebook covers that are quirky, nostalgic, and honestly way cooler than plain store-bought notebooks.
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Mod Podge Paper Mache Bowls
Newspaper, glue, and paint combine to create paper mache bowls that are lightweight, customizable, and surprisingly modern looking once finished.
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Altoid Tin Crafts
Tiny tins become portable storage for jewelry, earbuds, sewing supplies, and all the little odds you constantly lose.
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Fabric Covered Boxes
Cover recycled boxes with fabric scraps using Mod Podge for storage containers that instantly take your organization game to the next level.
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DIY Dollhouse
This cardboard dollhouse is a kid-friendly project packed with creativity, imagination, and endless decorating possibilities for little makers.
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Tissue Paper Mason Jar Centerpieces
Soft tissue paper turns recycled jars into glowing centerpieces that look beautiful for weddings, parties, or everyday decorating.
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DIY Onesies
Reusing old baby clothing and scraps of fabric makes these personalized baby gifts extra sweet while adding handmade charm and personality.
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Mod Podge Candle Holder
Old glasses become warm glowing candle holders that add cozy vintage-inspired style without requiring expensive supplies or complicated techniques.
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Phone Book to Pen Organizer
This unusual organizer transforms old phone books into sturdy desk storage using cardboard construction techniques and plenty of glue.
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DIY Keychain from a Soda Can
This tiny soda can accessory is such a fun way to personalize keys while giving aluminum packaging a creative new life.
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Bandana Purse
A cereal box becomes the structure for this adorable purse that honestly looks far more expensive than it actually is.
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Mod Podge a Cardboard Box
Learn how to Mod Podge cardboard using a napkin and this simple tutorial. This is such an easy and inexpensive craft idea.
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DIY Pencil Holder
Painted jars become bright containers for your desk that are perfect for markers, crayons, pens, paintbrushes, and other craft supplies.
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Newspaper Pom Poms
These fluffy decorations are a blast to make for parties, classrooms, or inexpensive seasonal decorating with recycled paper.
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Pill Bottle Craft
These decorated containers give old bottles a second life while creating cute storage for small craft supplies and odds and ends.
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Make Spoon Garden Markers
Vintage spoons become charming garden markers that make your herbs and vegetables look extra organized and ridiculously cute. Come up with your own ideas for sayings!
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Honestly, recycling is proof that you don’t need expensive supplies to make something creative and beautiful. Sometimes the best ideas start with the things everybody else almost threw away.
This post is so full of great ideas!! I hope I get to make some of this stuff soon. I found you through Madigan Made, and I’m super glad I did!
Hi Amy, Love your site! Amazing Ideas – They’re all simply superb. I’m a crafter too and love to experiment with stuff especially jars, bottles, tins etc. Do check out my blog at http://kraftykrook.blogspot.com/. Thank you and Once again, Love your work 🙂
Love the roundup! There are some really great ideas I’d never thought of before (like CD coasters!)
Thanks lovie for featuring me in your round up. Woo to the hoo!
Amy, I am SO glad I came across your website! I’m a cardmaker/paper crafter and I’ve been feeling limited in my project repertoire — but the possibilities seem endless now that I know about Mod Podge! I’m excited to combine my stamping, punches and paper with Mod Podge to create wonderful, handmade things. Thank you!!!
Hi Amy! Thank you so much for including my coasters! This is a fabulous round up, I’ve pinned it!