Ideas on repurposing cans/can tabs?

Leah Deverett
by Leah Deverett
I made this bracelet for my friend this Valentine’s Day and she loved it! I’m really interested in hearing more ways to turn parts of a can into something cool. Do you guys have other ideas?

  6 answers
  • Patriciasalisbury27 Patriciasalisbury27 on Feb 21, 2017

    I have done this, so I know that it works. If you have candle sconces on your walls, but hate to use them because the candle wax drips down onto the floor, cut the bottoms off the pop cans, leaving about one inch of the cylinder part of the can. Then cut a small X in the bottom, and bend up the V-shaped flaps of aluminum. This lets you push the candle through, with a fairly snug fit. Now, when you burn your wall candles, any wax drips collect in the can, instead of dripping onto your carpet. If you want, you can paint the can bottoms in a way that goes well with your wall colours.

  • D.D. D.D. on Feb 21, 2017

    For years the Ronald McDonald Houses had a "Pop Tabs for Kids" program. Since pop tabs are aluminum and don't take up much space, we started saving them in a large clear container at our store. The word got out, and we had classes from local schools and church groups start bring us sacks and jars and garbage cans full of pop tabs. Twice a year, we'd turn them in and send the money to the nearest Ronald McDonald House. (or you can choose any charity you support).You still keep the cans and make things out of them or let the kids turn them in to the recycle plant for their "summer vacation" money. And you teach the kids that even in small ways, it's good to help others. My kids were always so excited when donating day came around. Also, it's a good way to see how much pop and beer your family consumes.

  • Patriciasalisbury27 Patriciasalisbury27 on Feb 22, 2017

    You are most welcome. Another thing I have done with the cans, summers only, is thread a thin cord through the tabs, and tie them to a post or stake in or near my vegetable garden, leaving about two feet of cord. The wind blows the cans around, and the combined movement and noise works as well as any scarecrow to keep the birds out of my garden.

  • Colleen Colleen on Feb 27, 2017

    Hi there 😊 for your cans, fill them with water and freeze. place a pattern you like on can, hold with tape. use an awl to punch out the pattern. punch 2 holes on top opposite sides for cord to go through. place a lil sand in bottom and add a tea light. hang outside for some beautiful lighting. make different lengths for a more spectacular look. with the tabs, you can make a faux chain mail outfit. either for you, hubby or kids. just use material to loop the tabs together. Pinterest has a few good ideas for that. you could make one heck of a dragon costume with a ton of those tabs. good luck n happy craftin!