Recycle, eh!

Creative recycling - once is not enough!

Recycling  Styrofoam Creatively

Styrofoam (or polystyrene) is one of the most invasive types of plastic that's extremely difficult to recycle. Besides breaking up Styrofoam and using it as planter fillers, I also recycle it in dried topiary projects. Dried topiaries are a great home decorative item if you don't have a green thumb but want some plant life in your life. It doesn't require watering and will last a long time, especially if you keep it out of direct sunlight. Styrofoam can be shaped in any form you like and is light and easy to work with.

The above topiary was made by shaping computer Styrofoam packaging into rough oval shapes. You will need to use a sharp knife to make the shapes but they don't have to be perfectly shaped. You might even have to glue several pieces together to make the form. Next, to make the topiary, I cover the forms with moss (when buying these, please ask vendors if the moss they sell is from a sustainable source, not gathered in the wild). I make my own homemade glue (just flour and water) to glue the moss to the polystyrene and then stick in some twigs for supports.  You can make as many tiers as you like - here I made three. The small basket I used to hold the foundation form, was recycled from a previous floral arrangement.

You could start a nice little side business using this pesky plastic. Gosh--don't I sound like a commercial for Styrofoam? If you don't want to reuse it yourself, return it to the store where it originated.

Decorative Ways to Recycle Old Spices

Besides my expired beans, when I was cleaning out my spice rack, I found a horde of old spices way past their use-by date. Rather than toss them out I decided to recycle these old spices to make spice 'topiaries' for the kitchen and for special friends.

I made this Valentine heart for a special chef by recycling computer Styrofoam packing inserts as the base, cutting the foam into a heart shape. Then I covered it with my flour-and-water glue mixture, and poured the spices over it. Once one side was dry, I repeated this on the other sides and--voilà--a pretty addition to my kitchen wall. I doubt if it will stay there too much longer, though. A friend who came over for coffee kept eyeing them and hinting how nice it would look in her kitchen!

 

My other project was to make a Christmas pomander by using up cloves that had I had squirreled away in the cupboard. Again I took a chunk of foam and moulded it with a serrated kitchen knife into a ball. This is really messy and should be done outside. Then I stuck the cloves into the ball shape and to make it smell nice, dusted it off with some ground cinnamon. Of course you can easily make the same thing using the traditional orange or apple. Probably smells better too. 

Decorative Ways to Recycle Beans

Clearing out my kitchen cupboards, I found a horde of old, dried beans tucked way in the back, just ready for recycling. Always looking for ways to recycle and transform stuff, I decided I could transform my old beans into a decorative accessory and make some--ta-dum--bean balls!! This is an easy project--it just takes up a little time. 

 

I shaped Styrofoam packing into different sized balls (not any of them perfect spheres, by the way) and then using my own homemade flour and water glue, I glued on the beans.  The glue is thick and tacky and dries quickly. Now a cluster of these balls add a nice decorative tone to my living room. Later in the day my sister came over and made me laugh with the different ways these bean balls could be used.

Here are her ideas:

  • Flotation device - If your boat capsizes, you can use these as flotation devices if you happen to be drowning.
  • Planting - Watch out Jack (of Jack and the beanstalk fame), these beans can be planted to grow more beans.
  • Sustenance - In case of  famine, pick beans off the balls and cook up a storm.
  • Weapon - In the event of a break in, bong intruders with these beauties.
  • Door stops - Let the fresh air in.
  • Teaching device - Hand over to your favourite kid and have them count the beans on each ball.

Can you think of more uses??

Recycle Foam and Solid Styrofoam Packing

  • Use soft protective plastic foam inserts (used to protect small computer parts) for dish washing, general cleaning, or scrubbing your car clean. Cut them into cute animal shapes for the kiddies to use in their bath. Similar larger plastic inserts can be used as cushions at a picnic or at sports events like ball or soccer or hockey games or when you go on a picnic.
  • Cut hard Styrofoam packing up into smaller bits and use them for covering up the hole in garden pots when planting. They absorb any left over water and also don't allow the soil to come out. 

        

  • The Styrofoam packaging that protected your new computer or appliance in its box is usually is not accepted in recycling bin programs. If you keep potted plants on your patio or balcony, use the polystyrene to fill the bottom half of your pots before adding the soil and plants. Just break it up into smaller pieces beforehand. The benefits are threefold: your pot will be light enough to be moved easily, the polystyrene will help retain the moisture for your plants so you won’t have to water as often, and you won't need to use as much soil. I don't recommend this for plant you will be eating, like herbs or edible flowers, as the Styrofoam may leach into the plant.

         

  • Hang on to loose fill polystyrene or Styrofoam peanuts and use them when you sending off any parcels. If you don't need them for mailing, use these 'peanuts' when potting up smaller indoor non-edible plants (see above).
  • Styrofoam trays from the grocery store can be used as craft material for kids to make holiday ornaments. Cut out basic shapes (stars, deer, trees, houses, etc.) from a child’s colouring book and use as a pattern. Get the kids to decorate these with ribbons, candy wrap, or whatever else you have on hand and use as decorations.
  • These foam trays also make great containers for homemade cookies, cakes for your local church or craft bazaar. Make sure you clean them well with soap and hot, boiling water before using and never use the ones that held chicken or meat.