Recycled Crafts

Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure

Go Green! Contest

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gogreen.jpgOK, crafters: Let’s make sure the crafting world is represented in the “Go Green!” Contest presented by Instructables, Popular Science and TreeHugger.

An overview of the contest: “We want to know how you’re reducing your environmental footprint, and hopefully saving some cash in the process! Are you modding your gear, simplifying your life, or building something awesome? Tell us what you’re doing to go green, and teach us how- share what you know! … You can reuse vintage floppies, make your own cloth grocery bags, build some recycled modular shelving, a sun jar, a solar heater, or a wind generator. Move onto solar energy, worm compost, or even ditch your car for an electric bike!”

Submit photos and a detailed tutorial (an “Instructable” ) by August 17. This contest offers some great prizes, including the grand prize of a hip hybrid commuter bicycle. So, go green and go craft!

[tags]Go Green, recycled craft contest, Popular Science, TreeHugger, Instructables, hybrid bicycle[/tags]

Comments

  1. I started an Earth club at my school last year. I started it because I’ve been a Girl Scout for thirteen years, those years have instilled in me a need to find ways to give back at all times. I’ve always felt strongly about recycling and reducing my carbon footprint but after my mother, a photographer, stated taking photos of beach trash from around the world, it’s become an obsession.

    I never realized so many of my peers felt the same way. Since the conception of the club we’ve been working on finding feasible ways to make our high school Earth friendly. We’ve been working on a way to recycle paper in all the classrooms, therefore making even the most reticent student a conscious recycler. We collected cardboard boxes from numerous sources, decorated them in our own personal styles (using earth friendly paint of course!) and have just now started to impliment the concept.

    I’m truly proud of my school!

Have you read?

USB Typewriter – Merging Vintage Charm with Modern Tech

Okay, this might be one of the coolest recycled craft ideas I’ve seen in a long time. If you’re into vintage typewriters and also love tinkering with tech, this USB Typewriter project is a brilliant mash-up of both worlds.

Basically, the idea is to take an old manual typewriter—you know, the clunky, charming kind with the click-clack keys—and turn it into a working USB keyboard. Yes, it actually connects to your laptop or tablet, and yes, it totally works. Talk about breathing new life into a piece of the past!

The project involves a special kit that includes a sensor board (to pick up your key presses), a USB interface board (to connect it all to your computer), and some reed switches (those help with the Shift, Space, and Return keys). There’s even a version of the kit that doesn’t require any soldering, so you don’t need to be an electronics wizard to pull it off.

I’d say this falls into that sweet spot of “advanced beginner” when it comes to skill level. If you’re comfortable using basic tools and following clear instructions, you could absolutely tackle this over a weekend. It’s a bit of a commitment, but honestly? The final result is SO worth it.

What I love most is how this blends sustainability with creativity—you’re upcycling a piece of history and turning it into something totally functional for modern life. Whether you use it for writing, coding, or just showing off at your local café, it’s a fun and eco-friendly DIY electronics project that’ll definitely turn heads.

If you’re passionate about recycled crafts or you’ve got an old typewriter gathering dust, this project might just be your next favorite weekend hobby. I’m already on the hunt for my next vintage find to transform! See the full tutorial here.