Industrial & Manufacturing Articles
Recycling is a good way to help reuse the earth's limited resources and keep them out of landfills. In 2009, over three million tons of aluminum were generated in the United States from the earth's reserves and less than one million tons were recovered to be recycled. By reusing materials for another purpose, you are doing your own recycling at home and helping the environment. Here are instructions to help you repurpose aluminum cans in your home.
Bathroom Towel Holder
Aluminum cans come in many different sizes and capacities, including a number 10-sized can with a one-gallon capacity. When you have several empty number 10 cans, you can make a decorative towel holder for your bathroom. For this specific craft project, you will need
First, remove any labels on the cans, then wash and dry them. Be careful as you are working with the cans so you don't cut yourself on the inside openings, as the edges can be sharp. Measure around the circumference and height of one of the cans, then cut three rectangles from your fabric using these measurements. Glue the fabric onto the outside of all three cans, with the right side of the fabric facing out.
Cut off a length of ribbon to fit around the edge of the can. Fold the ribbon in half lengthwise and press the fold down with a hot iron. Hot glue the ribbon over the edge of the can's opening, using the fold as a guide. This will cover any rough or uneven edges on the fabric and will also cover the sharp edges inside the can. Repeat this on the remaining two cans.
Cut a piece of fabric that is 24 x 12 inches. Place the MDF board in the middle of the wrong side of the fabric. Wrap the edges of the fabric over all four sides of the board and hot glue them in place. This will cover the front of the board with the fabric.
Place all three cans with their bottom up in a row on the table. Place the fabric-covered MDF board across all three of the cans' bottoms, with the fabric-covered side touching the cans. Attach the board onto all three cans using the hammer and nails. Each can will need three to four nails to hold it in place.
Attach a sawtooth hanger onto the back of the MDF board using two nails. Then, hang the board with the cans onto your bathroom wall.
To use your towel hanger, fold a towel in half lengthwise and roll it up. Place the towel into one of the cans where it will be ready to be used. Do the same with the other two cans.
Decorative Lanterns
Any size of aluminum can can be used for this project. You will need to remove any labels from the cans and wash and dry them. Then you will also need
With the electric drill, create small holes in the outside of each aluminum can. Use your imagination to create different designs, words, and patterns with the drill. Then, drill two holes, each one on opposite sides of the top of the can. This creates the holes where you can loop the wire hanger for each lantern. Repeat this on each can.
Cut a 12-inch section of bailing wire for each can. Bend the end of each wire into a hook and loop each hook through the corresponding handle holes in the cans. Use the pliers to loop each of the hooks together to secure them onto the can.
Spray paint over each lantern until the exterior and handle are evenly covered. Allow the paint to dry. Now you can place tea lights or small candles inside the lanterns to illuminate them and hang the lanterns outdoors or indoors.
These instructions will help you turn aluminum cans into decorative and useful items for your home. If you'd like to learn more about aluminum recycling, contact a representative from a company like Pure Metal Recycling.
Share18 January 2016
Recently we did a home remodel of the bathroom and kitchen. We needed an efficient way to haul away the accumulated debris. Dumpster rental was our practical solution for residential waste removal. Although dumpsters of various sizes were available, we chose the 20-yard model. It measured about 20 feet in length and 42 inches in height. With a capacity to hold a few tons of waste materials, this option suited us fine. We especially liked that the dumpster was delivered to our property and picked up at our specified time. By not having to park the dumpster on the street, we didn't have to worry about acquiring a permit. Less hassle and stress is fine with me. The dumpster rental also included the transfer of recyclables to a recycling facility. Next time you need your trash hauled away, why not consider dumpster rental as a practical solution?
