DIY Projects for Green Living That you Can Do at Home
One of the best things about the zero waste lifestyle is that you can be so creative and reimagine the purpose of different things around your house. Reusing items to give them a second life will not only reduce your waste production but will transform your space into a very personal one! It’s the best feeling when someone asks ‘where did you get that?!’ and you can respond with ‘I made it myself!’
With a little bit of imagination a little bit of time, an old t-shirt can become your new favorite towel, or makeup remover pad, or even a cool bag. I find DIY is a great way to get in touch with your creative side and try something new. A great way to get off the screen and spend some time alone or with someone you love.
For today’s post, I put together a list of zero waste DIY projects you can actually do at home. They are all purposeful items that are actually functional and look nice. This list could also work as a great resource for future gifting ideas if you want to make something practical yet unique for those you love. I’ve snuck in some links to my shop in the titles just in case you love the idea, but don’t have the time — but if possible, why not try to make it yourself first! I’ve also added a difficulty level from 1 - 5 (1 being the easiest, 5 being the hardest or most time-consuming) for you to determine which projects fit your time best. Without further ado, here are 22 DIY Zero Waste Projects you can do at home.
Makeup remover rounds
Why keep buying makeup-removing rounds or squares over and over when you can make a set of reusable ones out of things you already have at home! All you need flannel fabric, colorful thread, some scissors, and a good serger. Check out Hello Sewing for a super easy tutorial plus a free pattern you can find here.
Difficulty Level: 2
Cloth towels or Rags
Instead of taking old clothes to the donations bin, make the most of what you have by repurposing absorbable materials like cotton, flannel, or terry into reusable cloth towels or rags. No tutorial needed for this one, just cut up the fabric into rag-sized squares or rectangles and you are good to go! If you are able to sew two together, you will increase the rag’s durability and lifespan significantly.
Difficulty Level: 1
Reuse glass jars
There are SO many uses for glass jars! Start saving your condiment and beverage glasses to reuse for bulk food storage or other future projects such as a soap dispenser or planter. I’m hoping to put together my own big post on this soon but for now, check out 13 Brilliant Things You Can Do With A Glass Jar for creative inspiration.
Difficulty Level: 1-2
Dog beds
Next time you go thrifting, search for an exterior pillowcase. The pillowcase will serve as a cover for your dog bed. The cool thing about these pillow covers is that the exterior pillowcases are waterproof and if there is an accident, the mess will not affect the stuffing inside the bed. You can stuff the pillowcase with shredded old clothes or, stuffing from other old pillows or even old blankets.
Difficulty Level: 1-2
Leaf confetti
I made this suggestion on my post of eco-friendly party tips as fun (and free!) This project makes a great green alternative to confetti or rice at outdoor parties. All you need is to collect some fallen leaves and grab a hole punch. The dry leaves will punch through easier but any will work. Everything looks a bit better with a bit of green and this way you don’t have to worry about clean up. Spread them across an outdoor dining table or provide handfuls to kids to throw for a cute photo.
Difficulty Level: 1
Graphic T-shirts
Do you have a bland t-shirt that you don’t like as much anymore? Make your own graphic t-shirt with a bunch of crafty designs from Creative Fabrica. You can use their awesome and diverse designs to embroider, print or stain your own shirts.
Difficulty Level: 2
Beeswax wraps
Beeswax wraps are such a great replacement for your kitchen plastic wrap. They last a long time if you care for them properly and do a great job of securing your produce any pantry items. This project takes a bit of time and some supplies but can last you up to a year and save you a lot of money in the long run. Good Housekeeping has a great guide on How to Make DIY Beeswax Food Wraps for a Plastic-Free Kitchen.
Difficulty Level: 4
Compost
Composting at home is something I am still learning about as I go. There are different methods depending on the space that you have. From kitchen baskets to outdoor tumblers, to worm farms, there is an organic waste solution that could work for you at home. This is a longer-term project to take on because it requires ongoing maintenance to maintain the right decomposition rate. If you have a green thumb, this could even lead to future projects with homemade fertilizer. Check out this guide on Composting 101.
Difficulty Level: 3
Produce Bags
There are so many cool ways to make your own produce bags. These make great replacements for those little plastic bags found in the grocery store and make transporting easier too. Commonly, these are found in a mesh or light breathable fabric as to not trap the natural gases in your produce. This will help them last way longer than if you keep them in plastic bags. If you crochet, Sarling has a beautiful free pattern you can download to use. Ravelry has a great free one for the knitters to download too. If you are not skilled in either of these you can also make them out of an old t-shirt! Check out this comprehensive youtube tutorial by toDYIfor.
Difficulty Level: 2-5
Bowl covers
These are another great plastic wrap alternative and perfect for anyone who makes big batches of meals or regularly participates in pot lucks or kid’s events. Breathable cloth bowl covers have an elastic or drawstring edge to tightly fit around dishes to keep them fresh. This requires a bit of sewing but is a doable project for any beginner. Check out this youtube tutorial from TheCraftyGemini here.
Difficulty Level: 2
Bread Bag
This project is great for the bread lovers out there. Whether you enjoy making your own or grabbing a local loaf from your neighborhood bakery, a bread bag is an easy way to keep your food safe and fresh for longer. I would recommend using linen for this as it is an antimicrobial fabric that will keep moisture and mold away. If you are a baker, it would be such a sweet gift to pair a homemade bread bag with a fresh loaf as a housewarming gift for a friend. You can check out an easy to follow instructions here.
Difficulty Level: 3
Wool Dryer Balls
Replace wasteful dryer sheets for good by making your own wool dryer balls. They work really well and I find these super relaxing to make. All you need to do is take leftover wool yarn (or even an old wool sweater works) and wrap it round and round into a solid ball. It might take a couple of tries to get it but you will be blown away at how easy it is and how long it lasts. I use 3 balls per load, 4 or 5 for larger ones. Check out this step-by-step tutorial here. Pro tip: if you find them starting to lose their abilities you can ‘recharge’ them by spraying them with water and then running them on a solo cycle in the dryer with high heat to activate the fibers.
Difficulty Level: 1
Plant Fertilizer
If you are a regular reader here you know my love for potassium-filled banana plant fertilizer. It’s a great way to extend the use of your produce and provide your plants with quality nutrients. I recently learned you can also do this with your coffee grounds which is a great option too but I can’t speak to its performance. With the banana fertilizer, I can definitely notice a difference in my plant’s growth rate. It seems to add some happy life back into the leaves’ structure. If you try it out, be sure to let me know what you think!
Difficulty Level: 1
Cleaning solution
I have nearly perfected my at-home DIY cleaning solution at this point. It is a combination of vinegar, water, and lemon peels that works effectively on most surfaces. A big part of having an eco-friendly home is my desire to minimize the chemicals and toxins in our environment. This solution in addition to my new steam cleaner has eliminated my need for practically all store-bought cleaners. When I make it I store it in an amber bottle because the coloured glass helps preserve the ingredients for longer. I should mention that this recipe doesn’t work for every surface.
Difficulty Level: 1
Apple Cider
At home apple cider is a great way to make the most of apples when they are in season. You can get a big bag from apple picking or your local market for cheap and it is a great project to make, store, and share with loved ones. Combine apples, cinnamon, maple syrup, and cloves for a big batch of this comforting drink. You don’t need to be a chef to whip up a fantastic-tasting batch of homemade apple cider.
Difficulty Level: 1
A Sitting Bench
This is an easier project than you might think! A quick trip to the local lumberyard and hardware store for wood, a drill, nails, and wood glue can go a long way at creating something very useful that you can keep in your space for years to come. You can use this project for your entryway, dining room, office space, or as a long plant stand. The Rehab Life has a great tutorial on how to make a bench in fifteen minutes.
Difficulty Level: 3
Solid Lotion Bars
Combine beeswax, shea butter, coconut oil, and essential oils and place in a mold of your choice to create long-lasting, versatile lotion bars that will melt into your skin with no extra waste! These are way better than bottled lotions for travel plus you will know exactly what you are putting on your skin. Check out this easy tutorial for a step-by-step how-to.
Difficulty Level: 2
Rag Rug
Rag rugs are a fun, colourful way to make the most of old clothing, scrap rags, bedding, or any other fabric you come across in your home that is no longer usable. You can combine specific colours to fit your space or mix them all together for a fun rainbow look. With a latch hook, there is no need to sew. All you need is a hessian fabric for the base, and then strips of leftover fabric to work through and tie off. Ragged life has a great youtube tutorial on how you can start on this project.
Difficulty Level: 3
Live Edge Stump Table
Natural wood can add so much warmth and depth to your space. I have seen so many live stumps furniture pieces available at stores, but you can totally make your own for less than half the price. Fellow Canadian blogger Justine Celina has an awesome step-by-step project guide you can find here.
Difficulty Level: 2
Wooden Coasters
If you or a family member has some scrap wood lying around, you can easily transform it into a useful item or gift with this simple project. This one requires a few power tools but takes a short time to make and will last such a long time! DIY Huntress has a really straightforward tutorial with a guide to beautiful-looking pieces.
Difficulty Level: 4
Macrame Hangers
Macrame is a timeless crafting method that can be used to make so many things! Wall hangings, plant holders, pillowcases, jewelry and so much more. Once you get the hang of it, it can be a truly addictive process because the sky is the limit! Here’s a great list of 25 easy macrame projects for beginners.
Difficulty Level: 3
Soap saver
This project is a great way to make use of old towels. A soap saver can help prevent suds from dripping all over your space and add a little extra light exfoliation to your cleaning routine. It’s a small project so you could hand sew it or use a basic stitch on your machine. Hello Sewing has a video and numbered instructions you can follow here.
Difficulty Level: 2
Tote bag
Little did you know you have everything you need for a perfectly good tote bag right now! There are a ton of pattern-based tutorials out there but I found this no-sew one from an old shirt that is so great when you are in a pinch! For this easy project, all you need is an old t-shirt and some scissors. The size of the bag all depends on the size of the t-shirt. Choose a large one for an oversized beach tote or a smaller one for carrying essentials or for the kids! WhatsUpMoms has the best no-sew tutorial I could find.
Difficulty Level: 2
Hey, Claudia here
I am a senior graphic designer, a dog mom, an advocate for a zero-waste lifestyle, climate change, and sustainability. My articles are based on personal experience and well researched to give you the best source of information for all things zero-waste.