These days, upcycling is a big trend and for good reason. People are becoming more aware of the ways that our lifestyle causes damage to the planet. The National Geographic Society estimates there are 5.25 trillion tons of plastic waste in the ocean. Of that, 269,000 tons are floating on the surface, endangering sea life and entangling boats. But even more amazingly, plastic trash has made its way to the deep sea, drifting down to where humans themselves haven’t been able to travel.
With all that in mind, people are now aware of what they consume and, even more importantly, how they manage to reuse wasteful materials.
There’s something else that goes into the DIY and upcycling trend: things are expensive! With more millennials living paycheck to paycheck than previous generations, it’s no wonder that they’re looking for ways to save a dime while also keeping the planet safe.
If you’re still feeling skeptical, have a few more statistics: the EPA and the Rubber Manufacturers Association estimate that 290 million tires are disposed of every year in the United States. But there’s some good news: of these, more than 80 percent are reused in some way. Here are 50 ways that you can do your part.
You can find dozens of online tutorials teaching you how to upcycle a tire into a beautiful ottoman. Don’t worry about it looking rustic if you don’t want it to. There are many ways to give it a chic look.
If you’re really creative and willing to put some work in, making old tires into eye-catching chandeliers can turn a boring space into a conversation piece.
If you want a mirror that’s eye-catching in more ways than one, make a frame from old tires. You can experiment with different colors and patterns for something extra fun.
This is one of the most popular ways to reuse old tires since they’re durable and waterproof. What’s more, they provide a big space to grow many different plants.
People who feel passionate about upcycling love reusing tires as furniture. The material’s extremely sturdy and it can be fashioned into furniture that looks like something professionally made.
There’s nothing like reusing an old tire to make a swing. If you had one as a child, you probably have great memories of flying through the air (and maybe getting some rubber burns).
If you’re looking for a hammock that will last for many years, tires are a perfect material! They won’t fall apart when they get wet, and there are hundreds of ways to customize them.
If you’ve ever taken a tumble on outdoor concrete stairs, you know how much it hurts! Use old tires to make sturdy and safe outdoor stairs for your garden.
Truly, there’s no end to the ways that you can turn old tires into new furniture. By combining them with other materials, you’ll amaze your friends when you tell them you made that armchair out of actual trash.
Kids need outside time, but sometimes, they also need something that occupies them. Instead of buying a sandbox, make one yourself. Your kiddos will love it.
Tires have long been used to make cheap, safe, and creative playground equipment for children. They can be used for everything from swings to climbing walls to bouncing toys.
In a perfect twist of fate, you can actually use old tires to make new recycling bins. There’s nothing like encouraging people to protect the planet by using upcycled materials.
Setting up traditional garden beds can take a lot of time and effort. Instead of building new ones, just use some old tires and then customize them however you want.
If you want to put in a little effort, you can make a unique seesaw that your kids will love. It’ll be a toy they treasure for the rest of their lives.
This is yet another way that you can turn tires into furniture. It’s perfect for the garden or a patio since it stands up so well to harsh weather and it will last for years.
Just because tires are rubber does not mean they can’t be comfortable. Stretch out for a nap on this upcycled tire sofa with a cloth or pillow covering.
If you have a pool, you may have thought about adding furniture around the decking. But that can quickly get expensive. Why not upcycle some old tires into furniture you made yourself?
If you want to make a DIY wreath that’s beautiful and eye-catching, try this idea: plant succulents in the interior of the tire and then mount on the wall.
Believe it or not, tires are used around the world to make into actual houses! You probably won’t need to use them for a real house, but they’re ideal for a playhouse, shed, or a storm shelter.
There’s nothing like a festive Christmas wreath to welcome the holiday season. Just because it’s made from a tire doesn’t mean it has to be tacky! You can make an upcycled wreath look beautiful with the right materials.
Tires are the perfect size for small ottomans and coffee tables. You can stack a couple on top of one another to provide extra storage space underneath the table.
With a little creativity, there are endless ways to reuse old tires. People have made them into scarecrows, colorful decorations, sculptures, and more.
The greatest feature of tires is their versatility. With some cutters and a can of paint, they’ll become almost unrecognizable — like this fun giraffe bouncer on a playground.
Believe it or not, you can actually use an old tire as a subwoofer! The quality is great and you can give it a stylish look with a little bit of inspiration from the steampunk genre.
For this, you’ll have to follow an online tutorial. If you have a garden pond, you’ll need to install a pump to keep the water clean. Fortunately, you can make one yourself out of old tires.
There are so many amazing ways to personalize your garden. A fountain is one option that is, frankly, unforgettable. But it doesn’t have to be complicated if you upcycle simple materials.
People who are invested in upcycling love to use old tires for garden sculptures. You can make some extremely beautiful ones, from swans to flowers and more.
If you’re a seasoned weightlifter, you probably know how much gym equipment costs. Unsurprisingly, it’s expensive. The good news is you can make your own bench press with two upcycled tires.
For this, you’ll need some old tire strips and a plank of wood. Bear in mind that this is a toy, not a place to sleep! There shouldn’t be any Rock-a-bye baby in this.
People are becoming more conscientious about reducing waste and reusing materials when they can. If you have some old tires and shoes that need a bit of TLC, try adding new soles using excess rubber.
You may not necessarily think about it when they’re on your car, but tires are big — really big. They’re also durable, which makes them the perfect place to store outside tools like shovels and spades.
If you want a belt that will last you for years to come, try upcycling an old tire. They’re easy to bend and cut, making this one of the easiest DIY clothing projects you can find.
If they’re made from smooth wood or other similar materials, stairs can quickly become a dangerous place. Reduce the risk of slipping with a DIY rubber stair mat.
Sure, you can use old tires to put new soles on shoes that have started to fall apart. But even better, you can make entirely new shoes! These look great and will last for years.
Ask any kid if they would enjoy this climbing wall and you’ll see their faces light up. There’s a good reason why tires are classic building materials for playscapes.
There are dozens of ways to use old tires as comfortable and stylish furniture. Instead of spending money on professionally-made barstools, do the planet and your wallet a favor by making some yourself.
It takes absolutely no effort to make a simple bike rack like this. All you have to do is embed the tires deep into the ground and break out your bike!
Ask any woman and she’ll tell you that it’s hard to find a purse that she really loves. Luckily, you can make your own out of a tire. Don’t worry, there are hundreds of ways to make it look great.
If you have access to a professional roofer, you should probably use their services in the event of an emergency. But in a pinch, this is a great way to protect your roof until help arrives.
Not everyone needs to fashion their own awesome armor, but if you’re a designer, a convention lover, or someone who just loves cool costumes, you can find ways to work old tires into your materials — like this amazing armor.
If you live in a place where there are frequent storms, you may need a storm shelter. Old tires are often upcycled for small spaces in backyards. This is an easy way to keep yourself safe during bad weather.
These days, upcycling is a big trend and for good reason. People are becoming more aware of the ways that our lifestyle causes damage to the planet. The National Geographic Society estimates there are 5.25 trillion tons of plastic waste in the ocean. Of that, 269,000 tons are floating on the surface, endangering sea life and entangling boats. But even more amazingly, plastic trash has made its way to the deep sea, drifting down to where humans themselves haven’t been able to travel.
With all that in mind, people are now aware of what they consume and, even more importantly, how they manage to reuse wasteful materials.
There’s something else that goes into the DIY and upcycling trend: things are expensive! With more millennials living paycheck to paycheck than previous generations, it’s no wonder that they’re looking for ways to save a dime while also keeping the planet safe.
If you’re still feeling skeptical, have a few more statistics: the EPA and the Rubber Manufacturers Association estimate that 290 million tires are disposed of every year in the United States. But there’s some good news: of these, more than 80 percent are reused in some way. Here are 50 ways that you can do your part.
