Hello all! I’m Tara, and I am thrilled to be joining the gang here at Used.ca! I am the voice (and the flurry of chaos) behind Suburble – a blog I write about life in the ‘burbs. Today, I am going be sharing some of my favourite crafts…

… and they’re made from trash.

I am a huge believer in repurposing and upcycling. I regularly dig through the recycling bin for craft supplies. And I know I’m not the only one. I’ve rounded up 20 inspiring and unique crafts using things that would typically end up in the blue box.

Check them out and then start sifting through your recyclables!

A common sight in the recycling bin is tin cans. Do what Stephanie from Garden Therapy did and create citronella candles in your old soup cans.

Or what about using them for in-cabinet storage, as shown on The Creative Imperative?

Break out that gold spray paint (one of my favourites!) and create gorgeous succulent planters – perfect as a hostess gift. Oh My Little Dears show you how.

Coffee cans piling up in the blue bin? Turn them into stilts for the kiddos – check out the tutorial on The MudPie Makers.

I find that jars often end up in the blue bin just as frequently as tin cans. Dress them up with plastic animals and spray paint like Elena did on A’ Casarella.

Or give them the glitter treatment, as shown on Madigan Made.

Use stencils to create a chic and modern vase, as Alex did with a pickle jar on Northstory.

Or add a vinyl silhouette and create patio luminaries, as I describe on my blog, Suburble.

If you’ve got some egg cartons kicking around, why not make this gorgeous light that Jo-Anna created, on A Pretty Life In the Suburbs?

Or try your hand at making these gorgeous egg-carton roses, as described on Rosi Jo.

Science You Can Love shows how pop bottles can be transformed into chic planters that also water themselves!

Or use those gorgeous little clover-shaped pop bottle bottoms and create a jewelry stand, as described on Epbot.

Don’t let those toilet paper rolls escape into the recycling bin! Turn them into little gift boxes, like Sweet Charli did.

Or grab the kids and go on a Safari! Head to Me and My Insanity to learn how Kendra made these quick and fabulous binoculars for her kiddos.

Speaking of the kidlets, preserve their sweet faces on Mason jar lid magnets. The 36th Avenue has the tutorial for this easy and awesome craft.

Use the rings from those Mason jars to make a gorgeous and rustic wreath for the wall! Belrossa shows how it’s done here.

Giving a gift to a friend or a hostess? Let Elyse from Tinkered Treasures inspire you with her use of berry containers as clever gift wrap.

If you’re anything like me, you probably have a small collection of grocery bags (from those times when you left your tote bags in the car – sigh!), but you can turn them into a fabulous bag! Get the crocheted plastic bag bag tutorial from the Etsy blog.

We all feel guilty when we have to thin out our books. Rather than toss them, create a gorgeous book page wreath, as shown on Eucharisteo.

Or maybe it’s magazines and newspapers that pile up around your house. Head to Saved by Love Creations and learn how to make these beautiful coiled coasters. Wouldn’t these make a fabulous gift!?

These 20 fantastic projects are just further proof that crafting doesn’t always have to mean running out and picking up supplies. Chances are, most of the things you need are already in your house, or on the curb!

Happy crafting, friends!

Check out other inspiring DIY crafts in the Used.ca Pinterest boards.