Innovative Recycling Ideas for Common Household Items

“Often when you think you’re at the end of something,
you’re at the beginning of something else.”
~ Fred Rogers, Television Personality ~

Today we would like to share some great ideas for recycling some of those common household items that we all have laying about but which have served their purpose. Do not throw them away – Recycle, Re-Use, Re-purpose them!

Pot Racks

I have always wanted a space where I could hide/hang my pots and pans, as keeping them in a cupboard does not really work for me, and always loved the idea of hanging pots ‘n pans I have seen in movies, so here are two cool ideas to create your own hanging pot racks.

Pot Rack From a Screen Door

This idea puts to use an old screen door, using a heavy gauge wire mesh which is stapled down – suspend the entire unit from the ceiling with chains.

If you are worried about the mesh holding you might try pieces of perspex, which is relatively inexpensive at your local hardware store and can be cut to size to fit in the same place the mesh would.

Drill evenly spaced holes for S-Hooks to sit in and you will have a surface that can take a little more weight.

Bicycle Wheel Pot Rack

If you have a small living space and an even smaller kitchen, fitting everything into your kitchen cabinets is a challenge.

This awesome bicycle wheel pot rack will look very cool and be very handy in a small kitchen – love the retro-look

A hanging pot rack saves space and keeps you from having to constantly organize, but they can cost R 1 000 or more. Luckily, you can build one yourself for less than R 100 using a few parts from the hardware store and an old bicycle wheel.

Besides being easy on the wallet, a bicycle wheel pot rack is eco-friendly because it saves old bicycle wheels from the landfill. Whether you live in a modern industrial loft or a quaint townhouse, a bicycle wheel pot rack is perfect for anyone who needs a little more space in the kitchen.

You can find step-by-step instructions on how to make this great hanging pot rack on Instructables.

Fire-Pits

Fire pits are my favorite outdoor accessory. When the weather turns cooler in the fall, I just love sitting outside by a roaring fire and relaxing. During the summer months when nights are really warm, I adore sitting by my fire pit with an iced drink just talking the night away with friends. If you don’t have such a luxury in your backyard, don’t worry, you can easily build one yourself.

Rock Bowl Fire Pit

This is a smaller take on the traditional fire pit, and it’s perfect for those who have smaller yards or even a flat balcony.

You can either use some old bowls/ pot-plant holders, or make your own.

You can use quickset concrete to create a bowl which will house the fire pit. Then you’ll need rocks – maybe river rocks or even rocks that you dig up out of your garden – as well as a chafing dish gel fuel pack, and a few other supplies.

Use a large can to make the hole in your concrete bowl, which is where you will put the flame. I love how simple this is – it’s also small so is completely portable.

Tutorial: b3hd

Washing Machine Drum Fire Pit

I love this idea! The entire fire pit will only cost you about R100 if you already have the main material – which is the drum out of an old washing machine.

Even if you have to buy the drum, it won’t cost much to get a broken old machine.

You use the drum as the actual pit which already has these amazing little holes so your fire will glow beautifully.

If you’re looking for a really inexpensive way to build a lovely fire-pit to socialise around, this old washing machine drum fire pit is perfect.

Tutorial: Instructables

Rustic Wheelbarrow Fire Pit

During December I visited a friend and wanted to braai but her braai was broken, so I looked around and saw an old wheelbarrow, which this tutorial reminded me of.

An old rusty wheelbarrow, the metal kind, makes a great choice for a creative and unique fire pit.

You can place the wheelbarrow on a concrete surface to make it safer and then just fill it up with wood to light on fire. Choose a steel wheelbarrow, which you can get at most flea markets for around R50 or so, and make sure you use one with a steel wheel – you’re looking for an old-fashioned style.

Tutorial: misseffiesdiary