8 Ways to Reuse Your Empty Drinks Cans

One of the most recycled beverage containers in the world today is the humble aluminium drinks can. While recycling them is an admirable route to take reusing them is even better for the environment. We often get asked for ideas about reusing various kinds of waste materials so let’s give you 8 ideas on how you can reuse your empty drinks cans:

#1. Pen Holder. A really obvious one is to use the can as a pen holder, either in your office or at home. Just cut off the top and give it a good wash. Either paint it or decorate it using some colourful wallpaper and hey presto you’ve got somewhere to store your pens and pencils.

#2. Incense Stick Holder. Cut off the can bottom and make incisions half way up that can be folded outward. Place the can into a larger food can and stand your incense sticks in the cans opening.

#3. Ashtray. Cut about 2-3 cms off the top of a drinks can and then make incisions vertically down the length of the can so that you have 7 strips. Bend the strips outwards and then fold them in on each other.

#4. Protection for your Seedlings. When you first plant your young seedlings in the garden they are very vulnerable to attack. Protect them by planting them inside a can that has had both ends removed and been placed in the soil.

#5. Lighten Heavy Planters. Rather than struggle when it comes to moving heavy planters fill the bottom third with upturned cans and then fill up with soil. You’ll be surprised how much lighter they’ll be.

#6. Homemade Lantern. Cut the top off a clean can and then cut some curved slits into the side of the can. Add a piece of decorative string to hang it with and a tea-light inside and you’ve got your very own lantern.

#7. Pull Ring Jewelry. Collect as many pull rings as you can and create your own interesting earrings, necklaces and bracelets.

#8. Portable Camping Stove. For this you’ll need 2 aluminium cans and some fuel. You’ll need to cut the bottoms from the cans and telescope the two pieces together. One will hold the fuel while the other will act as the top of the stove. The top will have several holes around the rim to allow the heat from the fuel to do the cooking.

These ideas were originally shared by Yumi Sakugawa on wonderhowto.com.