Re-Consuming

Woh there cowboy - were you about to chuck out that biscuit tin? Because that would be the perfect place for your tools. Thinking of dumping that flat tyre? Why, that would make a lovely garden planter.

Many of the things we throw out could be put to good use if we just think laterally, and even the most unlikely bits of waste can be re-worked into something beautiful. Old trainers can be turned into playgrounds; cola bottles into fleeces; used silicone into jewellery. So don't bin your old stuff - re-consume it and give it a second lease of life.

• For inspiration on what can be made out of other people's rubbish, Flickr Group Trashion Nation takes some beating. While this cracking site, and this equally cracking one, shows you how to make stuff out of everything from walnut shells, baby food jars, bicycle saddles and old bras. Cripes.
• Fancy yourself as the next Stella McCartney? Then try making a dress from a shower curtain. Or craft some eye-catching jewellery out of phone cards, toothpicks and hairclips.
• Pencil made from crushed up CD cases anyone? Or a notebook covered in an old car tyre? This lovely site sells stationery made from recycled things.
• With a bit of creativity, plastic bottles can be made into nice, warm clothes, or a charming bunch of flowers or even a solar-panelled backpack. Whatever next.
• When recycling meets design beautiful things happen. Check out this bic biro chandelier and this cascading light made from bottles. And this snazzy rock garden has been created entirely out of old waste materials like ceramic tiles and bathroom fittings. Genius.

More info from the Green Thing Wiki >>

Here's a thing... The artist Antony Gormley found a clever way to re-consume 30 tonnes of household waste and furniture - he built a 19m tall Waste Man. Unfortunately he lost the plot and set fire to it immediately afterwards, but that's artistic temperament for you.