Table of Contents

Get Creative

Seed Starting Pot

Starting Pots

Using newspaper pots is a great way to recycle and they give your plants nutrients to grow.

Materials

  1. Cardboard tube (empty toilet paper roll)
  2. Newspaper
  3. Soil
  4. Seeds
  5. Scissors
  6. Used straw or popsicle stick
  7. Permanent marker
  8. Used aluminum or plastic pan (to hold the pots)

Instructions

  1. Cut a sheet of newspaper in two parts.
  2. Wrap the cardboard tube with half of the newspaper.
  3. Fold the newspaper into the tube, only on one side.
  4. Use cylindrical piece of wood to push the newspaper inside the cardboard tube to create a space to place the soil. Do it only on one side.
  5. Put the soil into the tube and then sow a seed in the center of the soil.
  6. Cover the seed with a light layer of soil.
  7. Identify each pot with a used straw or wooden stick, writing on it what you planted.
  8. Water only when the soil is dry so you do not drown the plant.
  9. When the seed sprouts, dig a hole in the garden and plant the whole newspaper pot. The paper and cardboard will give nutrients to the plant as they decompose.

Recycled T-shirt Bag

Recycled bag

Using these bags at the grocery store during check-out cuts down on plastic bag use.

Materials

  1. Scissors
  2. Old t-shirt
  3. Ruler
  4. Marker or chalk
  5. Plate or circular object (to make a circle around the neck)
  6. Fabric dye (in case you want to color the bag)

Instructions

  1. Lay shirt out on a flat surface. Try to smooth wrinkles out of the fabric.
  2. Use a ruler and measure about three inches up from the bottom of the shirt. Using chalk or a marker, draw a straight line across the shirt - three inches up.
  3. Use scissors to cut strips equal distances from the bottom of the shirt- up to the line. When cutting, make sure to cut both the front and the back of the shirt at the same time. Be careful not to cut the strips off the shirt. Make sure the strips are at least an inch and a half wide. 
  4. Cut off the sleeves of the shirt - just outside the seam. Leave the seam that connects the body of the shirt to the sleeve intact. This seam will make your handles stronger.
  5. Cut a deeper neck into the shirt so your bag has a bigger opening. Free hand cut or trace half of a paper plate around the neck to guide your cutting.
  6. To seal the bottom of your bag, tie all those strips into knots. Take one strip from the back and one from the front and tie the two together. Make a few tight knots before moving on to the next pair of strips.
  7. Once the bottom of the shirt is tied, it will be a little scrunched up. Gently tug on both sides of the shirt to stretch the bottom back out. Now you can enjoy your bag! 

Cardboard Space Rocket

Cardboard space rockets are a great way to reuse empty toilet paper rolls.

Materials Needed:

  • Empty toilet paper roll
  • White construction paper
  • Paint or markers
  • Plastic eggs
  • Clothespins 

Instructions:

  1. Cut a piece of white cardboard paper to fit the toilet paper roll.
  2. Wrap the paper around the roll and glue together.
  3. Using paint or a marker, decorate your space rocket.
  4. Insert a plastic egg inside the rocket and glue to the top.
  5. Add three clothespins at the bottom of the rocket to create your rocket fins. 
  6. Play with your new galactic creation.

Self-Watering Planter

Self-watering planter

Self-Watering Planters are a great way to recycle your plastic bottles and grow beautiful plants.

Materials

  1. 2 Liter plastic bottle
  2. Scissors
  3. Permanent markers
  4. Stencils (optional)
  5. Acrylic paints
  6. Clear nail polish (different colors and clear)
  7. Brushes (wide for the base and fine for the details)
  8. Soil and seeds or small plant
  9. Old t-shirt or rag

Instructions

  1. Rinse out the bottle and remove the label.
  2. Draw a flower petal shape across the upper part of the bottle with a marker, just below the curved top, leaving some space between them.
  3. Use scissors to cut across the bottle and around the “petals.”
  4. Leave the cap on. Paint the upper part, including the cap.
  5. Let it dry and then give it a second layer of paint if needed. Optional: Spray a layer of glossy clear coat on the painted area to avoid fading in the sun.
  6. Use a stencil or free hand designs on the lower part of the bottle using acrylic paint, permanent markers or colored nail polish.
  7. When it dries, put a layer of clear nail polish over your designs. This is to prevent the paint from fading. 
  8. Make a hole in the cap. You can use a drill or scissors. Ask an adult for help.
  9. Cut a strip of an old t-shirt or rag and pass it through the hole. This is how your plant will water itself. 
  10. Put water in the bottom of the bottle.
  11. Place the upper part of the bottle, cap side down, in the lower part of the bottle. The water will travel up the string (due to capillary action) and will keep the soil wet.
  12. Put potting soil in the top of the bottle and gently press a seed in the soil. 

Cardboard Butterfly

Cardboard butterflies are a great way to recycle empty toilet paper rolls and get creative.

Materials Needed:

  • Toilet paper roll
  • Glue
  • Scissors
  • Pipe cleaner
  • Construction paper
  • Markers

Instructions:

  1. Cut a piece of cardboard paper to fit the toilet paper roll.
  2. Wrap the paper around the roll and glue together.
  3. Cut two small hearts out of construction paper. 
  4. Glue the hearts together at the bottom to make wings. Decorate the wings using a marker or leftover construction paper.
  5. Once dry, glue the wings to the toilet paper roll.
  6. Draw eyes and a mouth on the front of the roll using a marker.
  7. Cut a pipe cleaner in half. Curl the tops and glue them to the inside of the roll to create antennas. 
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