14 Recycled Crafts That Will Help You Go Zero-Waste

When it comes to craft projects, we like to think that nothing is off-limits—including scraps. From orphan buttons and leftover yarn to empty jars and swatches of fabric, there are plenty of ways to recycle odds and ends around the house and turn them into brand-new items. Not only do these zero-waste crafts help clear up the clutter in your junk drawer and craft bins, but they also help keep it from accumulating in landfills. Even better, many of these projects make great heartfelt gifts or eye-catching present embellishments, so you can't save money instead of shelling out to buy new ones. Talk about a win-win-win!

Of course, recycling certain materials like paper and empty jars is certainly one way to be a bit more eco-friendly. However, finding a way to reuse these items by giving them a second (or even third) life takes your sustainability to the next level. If you need inspiration for crafting with paper, we have fun and simple ideas from paper flowers and hand-sewn books to lanterns and wall art. We've even got enough ideas to help inspire little ones to craft. And for those empty glass jars? Try turning them into beautiful containers for your pantry, planters for windowsill herbs, or sweet little containers for homemade gift-worthy treats like granola or jam. 

However you decide to use your recycled materials, remember that when it comes to unleashing your creativity by recycling, reusing, and repurposing can be some of your handiest crafting tools—and we're willing to bet that Mother Nature would agree. 

Here's an idea for repurposing old glassless frames: turn them into an artistic display. With a few coats of paint, you can instantly transform a mixed assortment of frame sizes and styles into one cohesive set.

As for those orphan buttons in your sewing collection, why not stitch them on a card for a charming three-dimensional embellishment? Get inspired with our templates, or get creative with your own ideas.

Have a surplus amount of wallpaper left post-renovating? Craft the swatches into cute stationery and one-of-a-kind notecards that anyone would be delighted to receive. 

With the help of our template and a few basic sewing supplies, you can turn fabric scraps into pretty pansies for brooches, pins, gift-toppers, or just because.

Those kitchen scraps? Before you cast them to the composting bin, boil them in a dye bath to achieve richly colored, beautiful eggs. In fact, you can use natural dyes to color all kinds of items: fabric, wooden beads, and other odds and ends.

Brighten a set of ordinary pillar candles with this secret coloring ingredient: crayon shavings! A slow-cooker or double broiler helps to melt beeswax beads so that you can dip and dye to your heart's content.

Here's a great (kid-friendly) way to repurpose leftover or discarded fabric, either from old printed sheets to a favorite shirt that shrunk in the wash: wrap fabric strips around a wooden bangle for some eco-friendly fashion accessories.