10 Ways To Reuse Aluminum Cans 

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You may recycle the aluminium can your soda comes in repeatedly, did you know that? Not only does recycling conserve resources, but it also requires less energy than producing a new can from raw materials.

Are you prepared for a reuse project, though, before you throw those cans in the trash? We’ve put together a selection of aluminium can reuse projects that range from simple and useful to difficult and downright daring.

Please take caution since aluminium is sharp and can cut you before you begin. Children are not supposed to work on these projects. Additionally, please recycle any leftover aluminium from your efforts!

1. Light Redecorating

Have a look at this pop-top lampshade by Sean in the Make Community if you’re searching for a distinctive piece of décor. For this project, all you’ll need are the top and bottom hoops from lampshades, soda can tabs, and a few simple tools. Therefore, kindly recycle the cans after you’ve retrieved the tabs. You can create a really fashionable “chain mail” lampshade with a little work, a lot of patience, and time.

You will need: pliers, a flat blade screwdriver, needle nose pliers, side cutters, top and bottom lampshade hoops, and at least 100 soda can tabs.

2. Take It to the Bank

Put your can back in your pocketbook, literally. Using two Coke cans and some packaging tape, Instructables shows how to make an RFID-proof wallet. Remember to rinse off the sticky residue from your cans and be cautious around sharp objects.

Two aluminium cans, a hobby knife or scissors, packing tape or duct tape, sandpaper, and a felt-tip pen are required.

Though you might not be into wallet chains, we thought this was a really clever and simple idea that made use of soda can tabs. Depending on the length of your chain, you’ll need to consume at least 132 cans of soda for this one. If you want to avoid consuming an absurd amount of soda, Instructables advises going to your neighbourhood recycling centre.

3. The Heat is On

This project should be attempted very carefully. Step-by-step instructions for constructing a stove that works from two aluminium cans are available on Instructables. Despite the project’s seeming complexity, the fundamental supplies required are readily available in the typical household.

Bonus: The cooker is perfect for your next camping trip because of its portability. This stove is small enough to fit in even the smallest studio unit, so forget about the hot plate.

The following supplies are required: two aluminium cans, a utility knife or single-edged razor blade, heavy-gauge aluminium foil or flue tape, thumbtacks, push pins, a drill, a marking pen, a ruler, a thick book, and denatured alcohol for fuel.
Hammers and scissors are optional.

4. Holiday Ornaments

After climbing to the attic to dust off the box of holiday decorations, you discover that several of your most treasured glass ornaments have been broken by your ceramic Santa. To save time and money, visit your recycling bin instead of going ornament shopping. Daisy from Little House in the Suburbs recommends using aluminium cans to make unique ornaments.

Aluminum cans, scissors, sandpaper, a pen or pencil, a nail, ribbon, or rope are required.

5. A Girl’s Best Friend

While we were unable to locate a how-to guide for creating your own diamonds (we hope!), Rena Klingenberg’s tutorial demonstrates how to create fashionable earrings from an aluminium can. Even if the construction is simple, having an artistic eye will help. Make your own earrings with acrylic paint to complement that difficult-to-find purple cardigan.

The following supplies are required: an aluminium can, kitchen shears, safety glasses, protective gloves, decorative paper punches, jewellery punches or small-hole punches, jump rings, earring hooks, chain nose or flat nose pliers, extremely fine Sharpie markers, and tiny charms.
Finish varnish and acrylic paints are optional.

6. Tote Bag With Flair

Do you own a pop-can purse? You may have eco-friendly reusable bags made of hemp, recycled cloth, or recycled plastic. Make your shopping excursions more enjoyable by working on this Craftster project. It will be necessary for you to sew and crochet, so if you are not familiar with these crafts, it could be beneficial to purchase a how-to book.

A version of this bag that uses bamboo for the handles and T-shirts for the lining is available on Instructables.

7. This Little Light of Mine

For any occasion, from dinner parties to curling up with your favourite book, tea light candles create a warm atmosphere. Use an aluminium can lantern and tea light holder to give your illumination a unique touch. Even though the holder’s design appears intricate, it’s a straightforward project that only needs a steady hand and a few craft supplies. To see a how-to video and step-by-step instructions, visit DIY Everywhere. Wearing safety gloves is advised because the design requires slicing the cans with sharpened blades.

8. Get Organized

When you need a pen, can you never seem to find one? Choose an empty, colourful soda can to craft a unique pen holder. To “jazz it up,” you can use construction paper to cover the can and decorate it with markers, paint, or other craft supplies. The typical soda can is lightweight, so to keep the holder upright while filled with pens, consider attaching a flat piece of wood or adding a magnet.

9. Firsthand Recycling

If you’re very daring, you could attempt recycling the aluminium in cans in a much more direct manner by melting the cans down and using the aluminium again!

You can make drink holders or whatever else you want out of your old aluminium cans if you have a good crucible and kiln. Just make sure that before you begin, the cans have been well cleaned and dried and that no residue remains.

10. It’s Aluminum (Can) Siding

Reuse was elevated to a level that very few others can say they’ve achieved by one man. John Milkovisch started inlaying marbles, rocks, and metal fragments into concrete to create one-of-a-kind landscape creatures after growing “sick of mowing the grass.” He began work on the house when the garden was fully covered.

He covered the house with an estimated 50,000 beer cans over the course of the next eighteen years, transforming them into drapes, garlands, and aluminium siding. His energy bills were even reduced by his efforts. You may now view the results of his years of work by going to the Beer House in Houston.