How to Prepare Recyclables for Crafting

Number one is anything that can hold and contain anything such as bags, bottles, boxes, tins, jars, envelopes and more. They are plastic, wood, glass, metal.

Number two are the recyclables which are anything that can be used to make a new item but does not necessarily have the ability to contain anything such as paper products, pieces of plastic, wood, metal, glass, etc. These can be used as bases for projects or as embellishments.

Finally, number three are the items I categorize as attachments such as rubber bands, bread bag ties, twist ties, string, and more.

Once my family has consumed the contents of that jar, I rinse and scrape out any residues before I place them in my dishwasher along with my dishes. I do make an exception; I do not recycle jars that held unsafe products that could be toxic or contaminate. I am also careful about what goes down the pipes of our house. I do not want to create a blockage or damage the plumbing or cause some environmental disaster!

After they come out of the dishwasher if the labels have come off quickly and the pots are nice and clean, I am so pleased as most of the work is done. I remember to remove any paper pieces from the bottom of the dishwasher so as not to have a clog. As for the jars with stubborn labels still stuck, I decide whether or not they are worth the effort to remove those pieces of stuck on paper.

If so, I  try soaking the pots in some more hot soapy water and try scraping the label and adhesive off with a plastic scraper, or old plastic cards such as a gift or credit cards.

Another option is to saturate the offending papers with an oily substance like cooking or baby oil. Sometimes that is enough to loosen the label.

Finally, if there is still some stubborn adhesive stuck to the jar, I may use a product such as Goo Gone or Lift Off, which is made to remove adhesives, or some rubbing alcohol and a rag or a scraper.  

Or my very final attempt will usually involve using heat from a craft heat gun or a hair dryer along with a scraping tool. Using heat will assist in softening the very stubborn adhesive, and the scraper will help in the removal of the paper along with the glue.

Remember heat melts and can burn, so caution is warranted.  If all of this fails and I am still determined to keep that jar, I may just decide to cover and decorate the part that just won't get clean!  

When recycling containers made of plastic such as milk and juice jugs, or plastic boxes from the bakery department of the grocery store I first try to see if I can peel off the labels. Surprisingly more and more companies are using labels with adhesive that peel off. You may have to work a bit at lifting one corner to get started but after that it is easy.

I have also had success by placing the container in the freezer for an hour which can make the adhesive brittle and helps in getting the label off. 

There is also the option of soaking the receptacles and using the same methods as I mentioned for the glass jars. 

Cleaning jugs and such just requires rinsing out the containers with a bit of soap and water.

Personally, I save most tubes by peeling off everything that will come off. After that, I don't mind tearing off some of the cardboard as long as most of the tube remains usable.  

Sometimes there will be a strip of glue left on the cardboard which you can try just rubbing off with your finger. 

Other times you may want to consider if you can still use the tube with some sticky residue left if you intend to cover it.  

Reels from ribbons and those rolls of duct tape are reusable too and require you mainly to use up the product that came rolled around them. I just tear off the remaining stuck on pieces of tape and use those pieces in a collage. I save the rolls and reels for future projects.

Clean out any dust with a brush and perhaps a damp cloth. Make sure there are no sharp staples to get injured. 

If you do find those colossal staples you can try removing them with a pair of pliers.

There may be pieces of tape or labels that you don’t want to stay in your box so just peel those off. Use a pin or a blade to wiggle carefully up a corner of the label or tape and then peel it ofF.

Consider using a plastic container like the one below to keep clutter hidden in-between crafts.