Recycled Crafts

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Art Without Waste 500 Upcycled and Earth-Friendly Designs

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Art Without Waste 500 Upcycled and Earth-Friendly Designs

If you read this blog than you will LOVE this new book Art Without Waste 500 Upcycled & Earth-Friendly Designs by Patty Wongpakdee!

This is one of those books that you pick up over and over again to get inspired and invigorate your creativity.

Every once in a while, I stumble across a book that completely recharges my creative energy—and Art Without Waste is exactly that. This isn’t your typical craft book with how-tos and templates. Nope, this one’s more like flipping through an art gallery curated entirely from stuff that would’ve ended up in a landfill.

From the first page, I was captivated. The book features 500 pieces of upcycled and eco-conscious art, and honestly, it’s like a love letter to sustainable creativity. I found myself going, “Wait, THAT was made from what?!” more times than I can count. We’re talking everything from intricate sculptures made from scrap metal to fashion pieces created with plastic bags and bottle caps. And the best part? Every single creation is proof that waste doesn’t have to be wasted.

It’s not a project-based book in the traditional sense—there aren’t step-by-step instructions—but it’s packed with inspiration. As someone who lives and breathes upcycling, I appreciated how it highlights global artists who are turning discarded materials into thoughtful, beautiful design. It gave me ideas I never would have thought of on my own, and honestly? It gave me that little extra push to dig deeper into the materials I already have sitting around.

What I also love is that it’s not preachy. It doesn’t scold you about sustainability—it simply shows what’s possible when you think differently about materials. It’s motivating in the best way.

If you’re a maker, crafter, or even just someone who appreciates clever design and wants to feel good about your impact, this book is a treasure. I’ve flipped through it a dozen times now, and I still find something new and inspiring every single time.

This one’s definitely earned a permanent spot on my recycled crafting bookshelf. Trust me—you’ll walk away with your head spinning full of upcycled possibilities.

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Comments

  2. I would love to win this! I make a lot of recycled art and am always looking for new ideas and inspiration!

  6. I love crafting with found (recycled) items. I live in a nursing home on a very low fixed income so I need to find crafts that are very inexpensive but look like you bought them in a high end shop! I would love to win the book to share with the activities dept, here for use in their craft class

  13. Finally….the perfect book for the perfect artist…love to watch people look at our recycle things and figure them out

  15. I am always looking for creative ideas using recycled items. This would be wonderful to have.

  18. Gosh I love to recycle and find it fascinating to see what folks do with items we just throw away. We are such a wasteful society in so many ways.
    Im guessing my entry will ne ineligeable as so many giveaways on here are, since Im Uk : (
    But Ive followed Craft Gossip for years and learnt so much along the way, its always a great digest of information that comes through!

  19. My family & friends are constantly asking me if “I throw this away?” Absolutely not. There is always something to make from our recyclables. I would use this book daily.

  23. I saw a fabulous cork chair at a winery in NapaValley similar to the one on the cover…and I have been thinking about it ever since and wondering how to put it together. This book would give me that and lots more.. Thank you for the opportunity to win it. I hope I do!

  25. I save “stuff” to re-use and am always looking for new ideas. Thanks for the chance to win!

  28. I am finally retiring and have been wanting to give new life to old items for years both for fun and now for a little extra income. What a great offer!

  30. I neeeeed this book! The cover projects alone have me itching to get started creating. What a wonderful giveaway!

  33. i love to create by recycling it means so much more and its fun to find things that others would throw away.

  38. I, too, absolutely love crafting w/ what someone else would see no potential in – my fave kind of crafting, by far. When I’m upcycling I am so in my element. And WOW!…500 ideas in 1 book!! That’s not shab at all! Like other entrants, my family also asks me, “You want this (whatever) for something?” Thanks for the fantastic giveaway & God bless! 🙂

  39. I am always looking for ways to upcycle or reuse anything that would otherwise go in the trash- and always looking for new ideas. Its a happy time when i see a new idea or project and think, “hey, i never thought of that, what a great idea!”
    So im really looking forward to this book!

  41. Sounds like an awesome and inspiring book.

    Thanks for a chance to win.

    usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com

  44. I love this! I always have bits and scraps that I hate to throw away and wish I could find a use for. I think this book is awesome.

  47. I would love to see what is inside this book. Right now I am recycling water bottles into dog toys.

  48. I just found this site and I LOVE IT!!!! I would also love to have the book. I am a huge recycle user for my crafts.

  49. I’m always looking for a way to reuse lost and forgotten items. Would love to have a copy of this book.

Have you read?

Creative Ways to Teach Kids About Recycling

Recycling is an important habit that can make a big difference in protecting our planet. However, teaching kids about it doesn’t have to be boring. With a little creativity, you can turn learning about recycling into a fun, hands-on experience. These activities help kids understand the importance of recycling and empower them to take part in eco-friendly actions while having fun!

Recycling Sorting Relay What It Teaches: Helps kids recognize different materials and learn how to sort them properly.

What You Need: Various clean recyclables (e.g., plastic bottles, cans, newspaper, glass jars), Four containers labeled: Paper, Plastic, Metal, Glass, Timer or some music to add excitement.

How to Play: Organize a race where kids sort recyclables into the correct bins as quickly as possible. To add a challenge, you could time them or play lively music while they sort. Include a few tricky items (like items that can’t be recycled) to keep them on their toes.

Extra Fun: For older children, introduce a “Non-Recyclable” bin to reinforce items that shouldn’t be recycled, like food wrappers or greasy pizza boxes.

Sing the Recycling Song Why It Works: Singing makes information easier to remember, and kids will absorb recycling facts through catchy lyrics.

Sample Song (to the tune of “Bingo”):

Recycle paper, glass, and tin,
Let’s make the earth shine bright!
Pick the right bin, keep things clean,
And help the planet out!

How to Do It:
Sing this tune together while you clean up or as you sort recyclables. Get the kids involved by clapping or adding fun hand gestures to the song. You could even let them create their own verses about what happens to recyclables after they’re collected.

 

Upcycled Art Projects What It Teaches: Encourages kids to think creatively about reusing everyday materials while teaching sustainability.

What You’ll Need: Clean recyclables such as cardboard, plastic bottles, old buttons, and tin cans, Craft supplies like glue, paint, and scissors

Craft Ideas:

  • Bottle Cap Collages: Create colorful designs by gluing bottle caps onto paper or cardboard.

  • Cardboard Animal Figures: Use old cardboard to cut and assemble into animals or other fun shapes.

  • Tin Can Lanterns: Paint old cans and punch holes to make decorative lanterns.

  • Plastic Bottle Planters: Turn plastic bottles into planters for flowers or herbs.

  • Recycling sticker kit 

Showcase the Creations: Let the kids show off their upcycled art to family or friends. Ask them to explain how they reused different materials to create their pieces.

 

Recycling Scavenger Hunt What It Teaches: Builds awareness of recyclable materials in everyday life.

What You’ll Need: A list of common recyclable items (e.g., a plastic bottle, a cardboard box, a glass jar, an aluminum can), Optional: Small rewards for finding all the items

How to Play:
Create a scavenger hunt where kids search for recyclables either indoors or in your yard. Once they find each item, they should place it in the correct bin. You can add riddles or clues about each item to make it more educational.

 

Create a DIY Recycling Station What It Teaches: Makes kids take responsibility for recycling by turning it into a fun and regular activity.

What You’ll Need: Small containers or boxes for sorting, Labels like “Plastic,” “Paper,” “Glass,” and “Metal,” Markers, stickers, and decorations for personalization

How to Set It Up:
Create a mini recycling station where kids can practice sorting their recyclables. Let them decorate each bin and encourage them to keep track of how much they recycle each week. Give a reward for their recycling efforts!

 

Pro Tip: Assign a “Recycling Champion” each week to oversee the sorting process. Reward with a Sticker.

 

Introduce a Recycling Mascot What It Teaches: Helps younger kids emotionally connect to recycling through a friendly, relatable character.

How to Create the Mascot:

  • Use a puppet, plush toy, or create a paper character

  • Give them a fun, easy-to-remember name like “Recycle Rick” or “Compost Carla”

  • Develop a short story about the mascot’s love for recycling

How to Use It:
The mascot can “talk” to kids, reminding them of recycling rules and offering fun challenges (e.g., “Can you recycle all the bottles today?”). You can have the mascot give out rewards for good recycling habits, making the process more exciting.

Lead by Example
Kids learn best when they see adults practicing what they preach. Show them how you separate your recyclables and explain why it’s important. The more involved they feel, the more likely they are to make recycling a regular habit.

Recycling can be an exciting and creative activity for kids. These hands-on projects help them learn about sustainability while having a blast! By making recycling fun, you’re not just teaching them a lesson—you’re helping them become the eco-conscious leaders of tomorrow.

Check out this recycling board game too.

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