It’s National Recycling Week from the 13th - 19th November so we thought what better time to get in the spirit of reduce, reuse, recycle and show you how to repurpose a few household items.
From fun smart to sun smart
If the kids trampoline is looking a little worse for wear, and like it won’t handle all their bouncing, you can flip it upside down and create a backyard sunshade. Extend the leg poles to your desired height and secure the trampoline mat for a roof. Decorate with hanging plants, coloured ribbons or fairy lights to fancy it up a little. Don’t forget to order a safe new trampoline so the kids aren’t upset you repurposed their favourite activity!
Paint for every surface
Have an old piece of furniture that could use a revamp? Before you send your trash to become someone else’s treasure try a coat of Chalk Paint by Annie Sloan. This eco-friendly paint works on all materials - including wood, plastic, stone, brick, concrete and metal - and doesn’t require any prep work. You can paint straight onto the surface without priming, sanding or even removing old paints. Take your old armoire from drab to fab or turn an old chest of drawers into a feature piece using multiple colours.
Find paint inspiration on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.
Make the most out of your pram
Purchasing a quality pram will mean it lasts the hard yards of raising your kids and can easily be passed onto family and friends for later use. But if it’s been hard worked and your kids are past the age of needing to be wheeled around don’t head straight for the dump! Stroller wheels are usually the last part to wear down which means they should still be in good enough condition for you to detach and use for a homemade kids go kart.
From kitchen grater to accessory hub
Basic box graters lose their sharpness pretty quick and if you’re a cheese lover like us they get plenty of use. Just because those little holes can’t grate like they used to doesn’t mean they serve no purpose. With a fresh coat of paint to prettify this household item you can turn it into a quirky jewellery stand. Earrings, brooches and decorative hairpins all hang nicely from the small grating holes. Just make sure to give it a good clean before you get creative.
Old teacups as pot plants
Have a few pretty old teacups or bowls that no longer work for eating and drinking? Don’t let a chip in your china spell the end of its use for you. Teacups make great tiny pot plants for your herbs and spices and they look especially decorative on a window ledge in the sunshine.
Hopefully this has inspired your inner upcycler and you’ll be spending National Recycling Week getting crafty with some old things. Find more eco-friendly inspiration here.
