Recycled Ombre DIY Trash Can

This ombre DIY trash can was made from an old pretzel container! Instead of throwing it away, Shannon decoupaged a trash bin with colorful papers.

Hi there! I’m Shannon from Rosyscription and I’m so excited that Amy invited me to share my ombre DIY trash can with you today. This is a fun recycled craft idea!

I guess every crafter generates a certain amount of trash as they create. It is unavoidable! What helps me corral my trail of scraps is to have a little garbage can next to me on my craft table.

I recently made a new one and wanted to share it. I did not want to go out and buy something new just to knock around in my craft space.

And, being a creative gal, of course I wanted my trash bin to be cute, too!

You can make this waste can (or any storage canister) with pretty paper. I chose to use gradient shades of color so that my DIY trash can would match my color blocked craft storage area in my basement. But I think any coordinating prints or colors could be clever, too.

Want to know how to make one of these (practically free) little garbage cans?

Well, first you gotta eat a tub of pretzels. (usually not a problem in our house!) Or, if you don’t have a plastic tub, you could use the approach below to jazz up a plain trash can from the home goods store. Just grab some fun paper and start decoupaging!

DIY Trash Can

Gather These Supplies

• Colorful scrapbook paper
• Mod Podge Satin
• 1 large, clear plastic container (like a pretzel tub)
• Sponge brush
• Paper cutter or scissors
• Razor blade

How to make a striped and decoupaged DIY trash can

Step 1: Prep the container
Remove any labels off of your container. Using the blade, very carefully trim the top of the plastic container off to make an open can shape.

Step 2: Plan your design
Figure out where your strips of paper will be placed on the can. I chose to fill the center area of my container between two horizontal lines/bumps that were already there. The bumps served as a natural guide for me to work within.

Step 3: Cut up your paper
Using your paper cutter, trim up a bunch of strips of paper to fit in the specified area. All of mine were the same length, but the widths differed a little for some variety. (I like to live dangerously!)

Step 4: Decoupage each strip down
Grab your first length of paper. Brush a thin stripe of Mod Podge Satin in the area you want the paper to cover. Place the strip over it and be sure to press and smooth out any bubbles.

Select the next piece of paper and brush more glue next to the first strip. Slide the next strip of paper just under the edge of the one before it and press it down.

Continue repeating this process as you work around the can. During that time, keep an eye on the prior stripes that are drying and smooth out any bubbles you see pop up.

After you work around the circumference of the can with the stripes, do your best to have the last strip meet up and overlap with the very first one.

Step 5: Add another layer for protection
Use more Mod Podge and brush on at least 1-2 layers of the glue over the area to seal and protect the paper. After those layers dry, you can start throwing out the trash! 😉

I love that I made this garbage can with stuff I already had around the house! It is the perfect size to sit next to me as I make a mess create stuff. It matches my paint-chip inspired ombre craft storage area and I store it here when I’m not crafting:

This tutorial could be used to make a personal garbage can or canister to match any room in your house.

And can I tell you my favorite part about this project? The circular rainbow of stripes that you see on the inside of the container! So pretty!

As much as I need a place for my trash, I gotta tell you something: this garbage can is so cute I almost don’t want to put junk into it. But I don’t think I have a choice . . . I need it! Remember, I’m not a tidy crafter?