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Beyond the Bin

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    back to school upcycle

    Back to School: Upcycle Edition

    It's that time of year again! Check out these back to school inspired upcycled crafts, all made from items you probably already have at home. 

     Learn to make: 

    diy_sustainability.

    DIY: Sustainability Projects

    In honor of Sustainability Week, we are hosting do-it-yourself sustainability projects March 21-25 at the Garbage Garage! We picked projects focused on reusability that say no to single use plastics. If you aren't able to join us, check out our easy to understand instructions and follow along at home!

     Learn to make: 

     

    circuit

    DIY: Cardboard Circuit

    Ever curious about how your light switch has the magic ability to turn on and off the lights in your room? Or how the battery in your toy gives it the ability to move and make noise? Turns out, it's not magic at all! It is because of an electrical circuit. Explore how a simple circuit works with just a few items you probably already have lying around your house. 

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    Reuse Challenge: Art Studio Ready

    tin can
     
    reuse

    Save those recyclables and turn them into materials needed to organize and keep art projects mess free. Clean & save aluminum cans to organize crayons, paintbrushes, etc. Save those egg cartons for a mess-free paint palette. Save your jars to store small craft items such as buttons, beads, or pom-poms. Used sanitizer wipe containers make great yarn organizers. Get creative and re-think what's trash!

    Have an extra cardboard box and toilet paper rolls handy? Turn them into a marker organizing masterpiece!

    Reuse Challenge: DIY Mini Putz Houses


    Winter setting
    During the winter months, it is such fun looking at all of the little houses in the winter village displays. Have a hand at creating your very own! The traditional materials for making "Putz" houses are cardboard and scrap paper - basically things that we throw away and have around the house - so it's the perfect project for everybody.  REUSE materials with this activity and make creative villages and memories. 

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    Reuse Challenge: DIY Advent Calendar

    DIY advent
    No matter which holiday you are preparing for, it is always fun to count down the days! Here is a reuse craft that will keep your family busy doing good deeds and making memories while they wait for the big day. REUSE paper at home to make a countdown chain craft. 

    Gather supplies:
    - Colorful paper to make strips for the chain links. Reuse wrapping paper scraps, catalog and calendar pages or colored envelopes.
    - Printed list of Acts of Kindness & Memory Makers Challenges and Advent Calendar Numbers
    - Glue, tape or staples

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    Upcycle Project: Lego Table

    Completed lego table
    Legos are a challenge to keep contained! At the Garbage Garage Education Center, we needed a play table that could hold a lot of legos and make cleanup a cinch. I was inspired to UPCYCLE an unwanted table. We found a great little, 2-tiered, side table just perfect for this project.

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    Reuse Activity: DIY Face Mask

    DIY face masks
    Hey Folks! With all the worry about the spread of germs and the need to STOP TOUCHING OUR FACES, I decided to make some face masks for my family REUSING things I had around the house. When you DIY, you can draw on a cute animal face to wear with a kitty ear headband or teddy bear hoodie.

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