Asked on Nov 01, 2016

Upcycling plastic trashcan - ideas?

PruBelle
by PruBelle
I have 8 of these trashcans left over from tradeshows we no longer attend. I used 2 of them to store wrapping paper. I hate to just throw away the others.
I thought about filling with dirt and putting plants in them, but that will be last resort because I don't think I will like the final look. Any ideas would be appreciated.
15" x 14" x 10" plastic trashcans.
  33 answers
  • And7447075 And7447075 on Nov 01, 2016
    Wrap and glue rope around the entire trash can . I I will have a chunky look but it will no longer look like a cheap plastic can
    • PruBelle PruBelle on Nov 01, 2016
      Thank you! Depending on the type of rope I used, it could end up looking nautical or rustic. Neat!
  • None None on Nov 01, 2016
    Cleaning supplies in a liner closet or toilet paper rolls. Bedroom closet for extra wallets, purses, etc. Maybe even flip flops and slippers. Near a printer to hold extra packs of paper. A pantry to hold bags of dog or cat food so they don't spill after being opened. I use these all over the place. Just don't think of them as garbage only. I have one next to the freezer that holds plastic grocery bags for when I dump the electric litter box bin.
  • Johnchip Johnchip on Nov 01, 2016
    i would donate them to my local police, fire dept, hospice, church or school.
    • PruBelle PruBelle on Nov 01, 2016
      Thank You Johnchip. Of course donations are always a great idea if I can't use them. I appreciate your feedback.
  • Barbara Barbara on Nov 01, 2016
    Use as recylcling bins.
    • PruBelle PruBelle on Nov 01, 2016
      Thank You Barbara. Ha ha, I already have some tubs for that purpose; we recycle aluminum, cardboard, glass, everything we can. Love the idea though!
  • Donna Stremke Donna Stremke on Nov 01, 2016
    Spray paint in fat horizontal stripes in your choice of colors; drill holes in bottom for drainage; add rocks or gravel in bottom of can; plant a tall plant in center with trailing plants around the rim. You can glue rope around the rim to disguise the curled rim if you desire. This can take a rather large collection of flowering plants and it won't look like a recycled trash can.
    • See 1 previous
    • Kenneth Joyner Kenneth Joyner on Nov 14, 2016
      If you do decide to use them as a planter, you can add empty soda bottles in the bottom to reduce soil needed and weight so it is easy to move. Packing peanuts will do the same if you have them.
  • Sandra Allen Sandra Allen on Nov 01, 2016
    You can cut some 1/4" plywood in an oblong shape about 1/2" bigger than the opening. Store things in the bottom like holiday decorations, things you don't use but once a year. Make 8 "lids" and stack them. All the other ideas are great too!
    • See 1 previous
    • Sandra Allen Sandra Allen on Nov 01, 2016
      Then my work here is done!!
  • Bobbie Bobbie on Nov 01, 2016
    I spray paint them and use them as outdoor planters. I fill it half full of styrofoam pellets and then the dirt. Put your plants in and bam. A beautiful new planter!!
    • See 2 previous
    • PruBelle PruBelle on Nov 01, 2016
      I was thinking I might need the weight to counter balance the top part? Maybe not. I've never done it, I'm a newbie to this wonderful advice/idea site. Oh - maybe the weight of the dirt compensates for it being top heavy. I have so many ideas now. Thank you
  • Alice Alice on Nov 01, 2016
    make one a center for gift wrap. put all the necessary tools [scissors, tape, lables, etc.] in a small bag and clip to the edge. Put in the gift paper, gift bags, and anything else you have. If the long paper tubes fall over use a bungee cord to corral them on one side.
    • PruBelle PruBelle on Nov 01, 2016
      Thank You Alice. Your idea combined with some of the others, I foresee a very cute work station. Thank you so much.
  • Connie Connie on Nov 01, 2016
    Put them on a tilt frame wood shelf and use for storing sports equipment!! Turn upside down and screw a round table top (or plywood) and use for a short table for little ones! Turn one upside down and place another one on top (bottom to bottom) and use for a planter! Don't forget to use screws to hold them together and screw holes for drainage!!!
    • PruBelle PruBelle on Nov 01, 2016
      Thank You Connie. I really appreciate your thoughts! Our sports are competitive shooting and we have to keep our guns in various safes. We don't have any little ones (I wish we did!). However, your idea did spark a combo idea with one of the others. I need to test it out. The tilt idea got my creative juices flowing. We do want to start to fishing, and the tilt idea I see as a possibility for poles. We'll see. THANK YOU.
  • 861650 861650 on Nov 01, 2016
    Decoupage the outside with wrapping paper. Spray paint the inside with your choice of color...do this first.
    • See 1 previous
    • 861650 861650 on Nov 01, 2016
      You are so welcome. I made a template from newspaper and transferred it to the wrapping paper. You could also use wallpaper or anything else you come up with. Even spray painting the outside and then cut out images and decoupage them to the can. I redecorated my Mom's bathroom which was decorated with pink (ugh!) accessories to a traditional/soft contemporary look using a little paint and decoupage and other ideas that came out of no where.
  • Corrina Dicken Corrina Dicken on Nov 01, 2016
    Plants are a great idea. Get glow in the dark paint and paint them or dig a hole the same size as can and put in a plastic bag then can. You can switch cans out easy as seasons change
  • use shelving brackets spaced apart the size of the trash containers and hang them in garage or basement for storage. Store gardening tools , gloves hats mittens, cleaning supplies etc the containers will slide on with th top edge
    • PruBelle PruBelle on Nov 01, 2016
      Thank You Martha Erkkinen Muffoletto. Loving this. Gotta figure out how to drill through cinder blocks or whatever our basement is made of. It's not wood, I know that.
  • Heidi M. Krieger Heidi M. Krieger on Nov 01, 2016
    I have one exactly like this and have covered I with sisal twine to give it an update.
    • PruBelle PruBelle on Nov 01, 2016
      Thank You Heidi M. Krieger. Sweet, you should post a pic. We've got a lot of followers. I'd love to see.
  • Corrina Dicken Corrina Dicken on Nov 01, 2016
    Welcome
  • Bobbie Bobbie on Nov 01, 2016
    I have never had one topple over and we have some days up to 35-40 mph winds. I love to set them on the steps to my deck
    • PruBelle PruBelle on Nov 01, 2016
      Thank You Bobbie. That's pretty strong winds. Might have a winner here. I appreciate you sharing your ideas with me.
  • Ann Smitt Ann Smitt on Nov 02, 2016
    Make a Lint Bin out of one can for your laundry room. Spray paint the can a vibrant, happy color. When it drys stencil the word LINT on it. Hang it in your laundry room. For more ideas go to Pinterest or ETSY.
  • Dan Dan on Nov 02, 2016
    You may want to use Some Metal Effect Spray paint and some Bungee Cords to hang them from Stairs or in Your Garage.
  • Ann Smitt Ann Smitt on Nov 02, 2016
    Re: Trash Can Planters. Drill holes in the bottom of your cans for drainage. Spray paint the cans with a Stone Paint to mimic real pots. Let dry. Pour 1/4 bag pea gravel into the can. Cover the rest with GOOD potting soil for indoor plants. Make a succulent garden for your home office. Succulents are easy to care for. Your local nursery or Home Depot both have people on staff to help you with your plant selections.
    • PruBelle PruBelle on Nov 02, 2016
      Thank You Ann Smitt. Ya'll are convincing me to go back to a planter idea. Maybe it won't be ugly with all these great painting and roping ideas.
  • Susan Susan on Nov 02, 2016
    On short side, cut an oval hole near the top for handle. Fill with a few garden tools: hand held clippers, gloves, weed claw etc., now you're not running back and forth for those tools as you clean up garden.
    • PruBelle PruBelle on Nov 02, 2016
      Thank You Susan. HA! What a cute idea, a tote! I can definitely use one of the cans for that. I love it! !
  • Sheryl Sumpter Sheryl Sumpter on Nov 02, 2016
    I used some of these for planters - wanted to put smaller plants behind some larger ones in garden - perfect to add some height and color among grasses and shrubs.
    • PruBelle PruBelle on Nov 02, 2016
      Thank You Sheryl Sumpter. I'm leaning toward planters again. Hadn't thought of the height issue. Thank you!
  • Sally Sally on Nov 02, 2016
    I've applied a matching fabric to my kitchen with Waterproof ModPodge
  • Jerry Hart Jerry Hart on Nov 02, 2016
    how about a compose bin? free for the doing all you need is a little grass clippings a few twigs some worms if you can find them and scraps of paper water and throw in you waste from the kitchen
    • PruBelle PruBelle on Nov 03, 2016
      Thank You Jerry Hart. YES! I've never had one before. I would need to make a latching lid, right? We have a bad raccoon and possum problem in our backyard. Would the odor draw them in and make a mess I wonder? They empty my bird feeders every night and are quite talented at tearing thru garbage stored in plastic tubs (chewed right the tubs).
  • Janette Bell Turner Janette Bell Turner on Nov 02, 2016
    I had a bunch of these when we closed a business a few years ago. I put 2-3 in the bottom of the closet to collect gloves, hat & mittens for the kids
    • PruBelle PruBelle on Nov 02, 2016
      Thank You Janette Bell Turner. You must live in the north? I love the idea, but we don't have that cold of weather. I bet your answer will give someone else a great idea. And I greatly appreciate the suggestion, too!
  • Judy Sweeney Judy Sweeney on Nov 02, 2016
    planters
  • Lynn Lynn on Nov 02, 2016
    They work well as chicken air conditioners. Put them on their side and throw in a couple of ice packs (in Zip lock bags) and the chickens get A/C.
  • Jeng  Alamares Jeng Alamares on Nov 03, 2016
    how about spraying them a little gold dust and top it with poinettia plants for xmas decors? they can be placed either along the patio or near doors. after xmas, you can still use these as planters for herbs
  • Jeng  Alamares Jeng Alamares on Nov 04, 2016
    youre welcome any time
  • Anita Carter Beckstead Anita Carter Beckstead on Nov 04, 2016
    How about wrapping paper storage?
    • See 1 previous
    • Lynn Lynn on Nov 05, 2016
      Yes, wonderful for those long rolls!
  • You could turn them upside down and paint them glow in the dark white and make ghost for Halloween decorations! Just tape off tape off the eyes!
    • PruBelle PruBelle on Nov 05, 2016
      Thank You Crystal Clutter Stepanovich. What a cute idea. Then you could still do other things with it later. This is a great temporary use!
  • Dannielle Dannielle on Nov 06, 2016
    Grow potatoes in them for community garden
    • PruBelle PruBelle on Nov 06, 2016
      Thank You Dannielle. I have never tried to grown potatoes. I need to research that. I wonder if garlic or mushrooms would work? We go through lots of garlic and mushrooms in sauces, etc.
  • Kenneth Joyner Kenneth Joyner on Nov 14, 2016
    In addition to the wrapping paper, if you have long pieces of wood or lumber the cans make great storage containers for those as well. I also use them as small yard waste buckets. Easy to keep up with and lighter than dragging the large trash can around the yard. It also feels better to say, I filled three cans full of weeds today.