Over 20 Upcycling Ideas That Save Money & Keep Things Out of the Trash
These upcycling ideas will turn your trash into treasure!
Save money and the planet at the same time with these fun and inspiring upcycling ideas and turn things you’d ordinarily toss in the trash into something useful!
What is upcycling?
Upcycling is the process of transforming old or discarded materials into something useful or of higher value. Oftentimes, upcycling involves creatively reusing items in their current state or with minimal modifications.
1. Upcycle shoe boxes for stylish storage.
Before tossing away a thick shoebox or greeting card box, consider using it for office or craft room storage. Lina covered these bulk greeting card boxes in stylish shelf liner paper and used them in her office area as pretty, affordable, and functional storage.
2. Make a mini first aid kit from a pill bottle.
Re-purpose prescription pill bottles into mini first aid kits by including a few bandages, antiseptic wipes, and some allergy or pain relievers.
“Our empty medicine bottles are the perfect storage for a stack of quarters. Good for beads, buttons, and little stuff.” – Lora
“I take old medicine bottles and USE to put a stack of quarters in them. I think it fits $20 and I decorate the outside with washi tape and give them as part of a graduation present for college laundry.” – Robyn
3. Organize household cords with toilet paper rolls.
Use toilet paper rolls to keep all your electrical cords labeled and organized. I embellished mine with duct tape and scrapbook paper.
Or use them as a firestarter! 🔥
Pack some lint in empty toilet paper rolls and use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer gel to help your match or lighter flame start a fire.
4. Upcycle empty candle jars.
I added pretty knobs to the tops of these Bath & Body Works candle jars for easy and adorable bathroom storage! Check out these directions for how to reuse candles!
5. Use food containers for on-the-go snacks.
Re-purpose smaller food containers as convenient and portable food storage for snacks. Keep them in your pantry or take snacks to go in your purse, diaper bag, or to the beach!
6. Organize with empty Mason jars.
Use Mason jars or glass food container jars to organize everything from craft and office supplies to pantry items! They are so versatile and can serve so many purposes.
7. Store plastic bags in empty wipes containers.
An empty wipes container makes a great way to travel with trash sacks or empty grocery bags for the beach or campsite. When empty, use it to keep wet bathing suits separate, as well.
8. Stick with this pin-worthy Mason jar.
How cute is this Mason jar pin cushion and mending kit?! Lina created this cute pin cushion in about 10 minutes with this fun tutorial from SeasonedHomeMaker.com – all she did was hot glue a ball of cotton filling and a piece of fabric to a Mason jar lid, and then placed her sewing items inside!
9. Upcycle a coffee container into a wipes holder.
Reuse those oversized plastic coffee containers to store your homemade baby wipes made from a roll of paper towels. Check out the full instructions and video in this oldie but goodie of a post!
10. Create a DIY hand washing station.
Keep your campsite or outdoor party organized with a smart hand washing station. Fill an empty and clean detergent container with water and use the spout for hand washing.
Hip Tip: Love camping? Check out our ultimate list of camping hacks.
11. Craft a Washi tape pencil holder from an old tin can.
Upcycle tin cans by covering them with different colored Washi tape. Group them together for stylish and functional pencil and office supply organizing.
12. Upcycle cereal boxes for desk organization.
There’s more to cereal boxes than the toy surprise! Use the empty containers to create a pretty and functional desk organizer like the one seen here.
13. Make DIY coasters out of beer packaging.
Save the cardboard boxes from your favorite brands of beer and use them to make these unique drink coasters.
14. Use aluminum tabs in the closet for more space.
These aluminum tabs double your hanging space by allowing you to stack hangers! So smart and easy!
15. Keep a lid on your old CD storage rack.
Don’t toss that old CD rack! Instead, use it to keep unruly storage container lids in order! Don’t have a CD rack? You can often find them at thrift stores.
16. Upcycle pant hangers for chip clips in a pinch.
Plastic pant hangers can easily be reused as chip clips. Consider using one as a clever cookbook holder while making a recipe, too!
17. Create a useful tote bag from an old jersey.
Don’t toss your old sports uniform. Cut it up instead! Hip2Save reader Michelle surprised her coaches with these tote bags upcycled from old jerseys.
18. Use an old map to make a unique travel gift.
Give a plain picture frame a new look! An old map and Mod Podge can transform your frame into a thoughtful gift for a traveler. See the full DIY on In the Wabe here!
19. Turn an old colander into a whimsical plant holder.
Give your front porch a makeover! Repurpose an old colander into a functional planter. See the full DIY instructions on the Bird’s Eye Meeple blog.
20. Use fabric scraps to make a new fashion accessory.
Save your sewing scraps and use them to create a custom bracelet. Wrap a strip of fabric around a bangle and secure it with Mod Podge. Get the full instructions on the Sarah Hearts website.
Want even more ideas? Here are some other upcycling ideas to try:
- Turn old t-shirts into reusable cleaning rags.
Cut up worn tees instead of buying paper towels. They’re perfect for dusting, cleaning mirrors, or messy DIY projects. - Reuse glass spice jars for DIY spice blends or travel toiletries.
Wash and refill them with homemade taco seasoning, cinnamon sugar, or even tiny amounts of shampoo for trips. - Repurpose old picture frames as serving trays.
Add decorative paper inside and attach handles for an easy farmhouse-style tray. - Turn old sweaters into cozy pillow covers.
Sweaters with holes can still live on as textured throw pillows for fall decor. - Use wine corks to make a memo board or trivets.
Glue them together for a functional kitchen piece that looks intentional. - Convert muffin tins into garage organizers.
Perfect for sorting screws, nails, or small hardware. - Make seed starters from egg cartons.
A budget-friendly way to start a little garden without buying trays. - Use old shower curtain rings to organize scarves or tank tops.
Clip them onto a hanger to instantly double closet space. - Turn chipped mugs into mini planters.
Perfect for succulents or herbs on a windowsill.
I use those screw top ice cream containers for the millions of nails/screws in our garage. We have so many and the cardboard boxes they come in don’t last long.
I have some old wooden boxes (not sure what was in them as they are old with no labels) that I keep my pot lids in right next to my pans. I have used coffee creamer bottles to make a bowling game with. The kids spray painted them and filled them with a little sand so they stand up better and then used a ball to knock them down. My granddaughter has made doll houses with old boxes and keeps doll clothes in old shoe boxes. My favorite is years ago produce used to come in these plastic containers to the grocery store and they had lids. I use them under the beds to keep the kids toys. I have also used those under the bed cardboard boxes at times.
Great ideas Lina! With the economy so crazy right now and interest rates up and Gas….ok you get my point. Every cent counts big time now! I started up cycling items around my house also and this post gave me even more ideas. I have been saving the big fresh Parmesan tubs from Sam’s. It’s a clear square tub and I took the label (so easy with goo gone) and with my Cricut made a cute laundry label and I have all my tide pods in there. With the same tub I made one for the grocery bags that I use to line my bathroom trash cans and I save them in there. Those plastic tubs are perfect for so many things to be stored in. The mason jar idea with the pin cushion I will for sure try it this weekend. Very cute and cleaver ♥️.
I use a few vintage ice buckets to keep my coffee filters in on the counter and my sandwich baggies in. They look gorgeous. I have an old seed box that I keep my Tupperware lids in. I have some old crystal decanters I got in Germany that I keep on a mirrored tray in my bathroom full of Listerine. They are very pretty and useful. I have some old tissue plastic boxes with jewels glued to them (50’s maybe) that I keep my make up in on my dresser in the bathroom. I love reusing my vintage treasures to hold things in. I have some old hand painted sugar bowls that I keep on my desk full of paper clips and pens. If it is beautiful I try to reuse it.
I get my pills in a bottle that is about 3-4 inches. I put all my manicure stuff in one. It is the best thing I ever did. I also have one that holds all my favorite eyeliners, Brow pencils and mascara. I never have to look for them.
I use the little plastic jugs from Sams Club nuts to keep ice melt in. After shoveling snow, I just grab one or two jugs and apply where needed. The wide mouth makes it easy to access, and sometimes I use a spray can cap or laundry soap cap as a scoop. (I also enjoyed consuming all those lightly salted cashews.)
This year I used cardboard egg cartons to start my garden with seeds I picked up at the Dollar Tree (4/$1). They have all sprouted and are ready to move to a big pot and will be easy to transfer with the biodegradable egg carton.
I use the Oui glass yogurt containers for craft items, beads, desk items and small leftovers. I buy the plastic lids on eBay really cheap, We use the square plastic containers from Costco and Aldi nuts to supplement or OXO and Walmart cannisters. I didn’t want to buy/invest in anymore of them. They are pretty airtight and have screw lids. I use the Talenti containers when I have a small amount left in the cannisters, pls for arts & crafts and desk supplies. I have called Unilever and suggested they make them “nestable” so they are easier to store empty.
These are great ideas and I would also suggest considering before we buy items what will become of all the packaging. for example, coffee can be purchased in bags and also in bulk at food co-ops.
I have some old fruit crates that I got at thrift stores and use them for storage. I keep my pot lids in one and my tupperware lids in another. I think they used to hold fruits as they have pictures of fruits on them. I have some smaller seed ones that I use to keep gravy mixes and other mixes in. I have some old crates that I keep my record collection in and some fruit boxes that I keep books in. I have them one on top of each other and made a book case with it. I have some old wooden berry boxes that I use in my medicine closet to keep prescriptions organized. The larger one has kids medicine in it and the two smaller ones have my personal meds in them. I love repurposing things.
That’s awesome! Thanks for sharing about the types of crates you’ve kept and how you’ve reused them! SO cool! 🙌❤️
I have an antique picnic basket with a wooden lid that I keep my Tupperware lids in. It sits on top of my antique cupboard. Decoration and function.
Sounds perfect, Mary! Thanks a bunch for sharing how you keep your Tupperware lids cute and organized! 🤗
So glad to see these ideas. Many we have been doing for years. If everyone did some of these we would have less in out landfills! Win,win!
Yay! Thanks for the feedback! Happy you’re loving all of these upcycling tips! Awesome that you’ve already been doing most of them! 🙌
Did I miss something with the colander planter? It looks like she just put soil in the colander without any kind of liner. The soil is going to fall out of those holes. I would line it with that moss stuff, or at least some landscape fabric.
Also, Dollar Tree sells a chain that work perfect for that with hooks, eliminating the need for bolts.
It does look like the author for that idea was just able to add the soil. You could try a liner or moss if needed depending on the style of Colander you have. ❤️ I’ve seen that chain from Dollar Tree too! Thanks for mentioning that, Pat! 🤗 Let us know how yours turns out if you decide to give it a try! 💐
No, the soil won’t fall out. But if you’re worried, a few coffee filters would ease your mind.