A Green Idea Chain Game 2010

[peabodylover187]

hey let start an idea chain... someone else made one but that was in 2006 so i am updating it!!
so all you do is post and idea to someone question and then ask one yourself so lets start

What could I do with bottle caps??


2006's thread for ideas.
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=115657.0

[PixieVal]

Response:
I love this coaster idea to make funky coasters! Theres even a tutorial!
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=247768.0

Question:
What should I do with tons of old brand new ink cartridges for printers?

[seleniebeanie]

Answers: Freecycle.org, Salvation Army thrift store, to give them away
             If you want to sell them - kijiji or ebay
             some areas have elementary schools that collect them as a fundraising project
             There are sites that pay for your cartridges (empty)                           http://www.freerecycling.com/
             If you want to use the ink from them for crafts, I've seen crafted multicoloured coffee filters that are turned into pretty flowers. just dampen the filter and set the cartridge on it, the ink will wick out onto the filter and looks kinda tie-dyed.
set the filter out to dry & make a "tissue paper flower" or there's a tutorial here how to make coffee filter flowers - under paper crafting. (you basically cut your petals out and wrap them all together)

Or do the same thing with a cotton t-shirt - dampen & sit the cartridges on it to bleed the colours out - repeat as necessary

Question: What do I do with my propane barbeque? The knobs broke, the burners need replacing & the frame has rusty spots. The easy answer is take it to a metal recycler - I'm just curious

Okay...It seems this idea chain has stalled - how about:

Question: What do I do with these styrofoam inserts? We don't have styrofoam recycling here
http://www.craftster.org/pictures/showphoto.php?photo=371708&cat=500&ppuser=198624

[Calabaza]

Oh, man, if that styrofoam were mine, I'd have them organizing little crafty and other items, pour and mix paint in them, and break them into chunks to put in the bottom of those planters with the huge holes in the bottom so the soil doesn't fall out.

Question: What could be done with dried-out, washable kiddie markers?

[peabodylover187]

well you could try to take the ink out and store something like  beads
or you could take the ink out of them and drill a hole in them and make earings with the caps

hope that helps

what could i do with corks from wine bottles

[kali_akash]

I'd take some heavy-duty gauge wire, shape it into funky shapes to hold up papers and insert it into the corks to make paper or picture holders. If you've got small kids, you can paint them to look like fish, take a paperclip, insert it into the top side or where the fish mouth would be, float them in water and have your kids go 'fishing' with dowel-rod fishing poles strung with string and another bent paperclip 'hook'.

What can I do with pop-cans? We're off the recycling route (and the folks don't recycle) so I'd like to know interesting ways to use them. Thanks!

[steiconi]

My current favorite thing to do with aluminum cans is permanent plant tags.  Cut the can into strips, then use an old ballpoint, a stylus, or even a knitting needle to emboss the info.  You can stick the tag into the dirt, or curl it around a stem.  Doesn't fade or rot!

What can I do with stiff clear plastic packaging?

Lee

[QueenSidney]

Sew the plastic into the bottoms of a purse or grocery bag to help them keep their shape. Also makes nice flat dolls if you cut into the shape of a person/animal and cover with felt or a thinner fabric to use as a book mark.

What can I do with 25 industrial sized spools of thread?

~Smelle

[Confuzzle]

Ever try lacemaking? Thread is wonderful for that (if you can keep track of it!) and turns out a beautiful product. Also, get ahold of any local weavers that might be interested in using a two-or three- colored weft. I persoanlly have a two-colored shuttle (the shuttle itself is loaded wdith two different colors, which makes for an interesting effect in the finished product).

You could also check into donating them toward schools or organisations that teach people how to make their own clothing and such, and go on from there.

My question: What do I do with a number of old (think vintage 70's) bath towels that my OH has an emotional attachment to, but are tattered enough to be rather useless?

[bookstorebabe]

Perhaps cut out the good bits, and put them on a backing-a sheet, perhaps?-and make an awesome shower curtain? Or if you're an expert sewer, isn't towel material similar to terry cloth bathrobes? make/embellish a robe to wear?

What can I do with too small belts, besides give them away?