WASTE TO TREASURE

WASTE
TO

TREASURE

Waste To Treasure

Treasuring Trash by Repurpose or Up-Cycle Our Garbage

Haizat Zekri ● Yassin Jasimo ● Zulhusni Derman ● Tengku Arif

1st Edition
Work of Earth Press - Malaysia

CONTENT I
II
1.Dedication III
2.Foreword IV
3.Preface 1
4.Acknowledgement
5.Introduction 3
6.Activities 11
20
6.1 Plastic 26
6.2 Paper & Box 27
6.3 Tires 28
7.Afterword 33
8.Conclusion 34
9.Appendices
10. Glossary
11. Bibliography

LIST OF FIGURES 4
5
Figure 1: Example of Stationary Case
Figure 1.1 5
Figure 1.2 5
Figure 1.3 5
Figure 1.4 6
8
Figure 2: Example of Hanging Planter 8
Figure 2.1 8
Figure 2.2 8
Figure 2.3 9
Figure 2.4 12
14
Figure 3: Example of Flower Keychain 16
Figure 4: Example of Flower Design Bookmark 16
Figure 5: Example of Paper Gift Bag 16
16
Figure 5.1 17
Figure 5.2 19
Figure 5.3
Figure 5.4
Figure 6: Example of Cereal Box Basket
Figure 6.1

Figure 6.2 19
Figure 6.3 19
Figure 6.4 19
Figure 6.5 19
Figure 6.6 19
Figure 7: Example of Tire Flowerpot 21
Figure 8: Example of Ottoman Made Up from Tire 23
Figure 9: Example of Tire Shelve 24

i 12. Bibliography

FOREWORD

“Waste into Treasure” that I have revised contain list of material, introduction, and
clear explanation for reader to learn and implement the activities that have been listed in
reusing our daily waste. The goal is to create an awareness towards reader in treasuring
our trash by repurpose or up-cycle the garbage. In doing so, they also can learn to be
creative with everyday items that are considered as waste.

This book provides a wide variety of different types of trash material consist of paper,
box, tires, and plastic in which each type being explain on the ways individual can reuse
the trash which is quite interesting. Other than that, the picture provided also make reading
to be less bored and instruction of the activities is easy to be followed.

I recommended to follow and try all of the activities being mentioned as
accomplishment of them will give you more exposure to ideas and more practice of
techniques. This also will lead to a better skill and ability in making a wide variety of crafts.
However, make sure to concentrate your mind and follow the instruction given carefully so
that your item will not be different as what being describe in the picture.

Book Reviewer:

(Mazyu Sharina Binti Muhammad Najman)

ii

PREFACE

As the world moves further in this modern world, generating vast amounts of waste
from different resource will result in a greater environmental problem as the footprint
needed for landfilling will keep increasing. Most of the recycle and reuse activities recorded
in this book can be applied and practices as some of the activities have been tested by me
as the author while the rest by my colleagues who help me in completing the book. This
means that it is not to be considered as a haphazard collection of activities which only
being gather at random from doubtful sources.

To all of the reader, we think this book should be of value to them due to the activities
listed are from what known as “Tried and True”. To those who have been planning on
method to reuse their trash material, in this book we gave you several activities with clear
instruction from different type of trash which is easy to be follow. It has been said that
“Recycling turns things into other things which is like magic.”

If you read and take advantage of the activities listed on this book, I believe that your
waste management are sure to be improve while it might it help in reducing the amount of
waste to be thrown send into the landfill. It is our passion to not only find out about the
problem face toward our environment, but to develop tools to help reducing the problem
for future generations.

iii

ACKNOWLEGEMENT

First and foremost, praises and thanks to Allah, the Almighty, for his shower of blessings
throughout my work to complete and publish this book successfully.

I would like to express my deep and sincere gratitude to my Fundamentals of
Information Technology (ICT400) course lecturer Madam Mudiana Binti Mokhsin for the
opportunity, assistance, and invaluable guidance throughout the process of finishing and
publishing this book. She has taught me a proper technique and giving me several
ideas in writing the content of this book and to present the finishing works as clearly
as possible. It was a great privilege and honour to work and study under her guidance.

I would like to extend my gratitude to my families for continuously giving support in
terms of financial, love, prayers, and moral support. Also, not to forget to the other author
of my group assignment which are Muhammad Zulhusni Bin Derman, Muhd Yassin Bin
Jasimo and Tengku Ahmad Arif Bin Tengku Kamarazaman for participate in finishing this
book and sharing their knowledge, arguments, countless discussion, and their constant
encouragement. I could not have achieved my current level of success without a strong
support from my group.

Finally, big thanks to everyone who are involved directly or indirectly assisted and
supported me to complete this project.

iv
V
V

INTRODUCTION

This book will be focusing on the method on making crafts by reusing or recycling
items that may have been sent to the recycle center, garbage dump or landfill. Reader will
be utilizing a variety of techniques to transform these materials into useful or attractive
items. The point of this activities is to create treasure out of trash, to repurpose or up-cycle
our garbage. In doing so, reader also can learn to be creative with everyday items that are
considered waste. Although reader is not required to do all the activities, completion of
them will give them more exposure to ideas and more practice of techniques. This will lead
to more skill and ability in making a wide variety of crafts.

This book is based not only on crafting ideas and techniques but on a basic
philosophy of recycling and repurposing some of our waste. Waste is known as material
that is left over, rejected, or thrown away from anything people do whether it is working,
playing, or eating. Quite simply, it is material that is not wanted by its consumer. To many
people, waste is known as trash, rubbish, or garbage.

Managing waste has always been a problem, but particularly since the Industrial
Revolution in the 1800s which marked the introduction of power-drive machinery and the
manufacture of consumer goods on a large scale. For a long time, wastes were dumped
wherever it was convenient such as being released directly into waterways or freely burn
which emitted pollution into the air. Fortunately, several steps have been taken to control,
collect and manage the generated wastes which have cleaned up streams and land that
had been polluted by past waste dump.

Today, the bulk of the household waste or garbage goes to garbage dumps or
landfills which are large sites that are designed to isolate the garbage from the surrounding
1

area. Each day, the landfills are covered with soil and compacted with big machines in
order to keep garbage blowing around communities. However, garbage needs sunlight, air,
temperature and water to break down. By their nature, landfills do not allow that. The daily
application of soil on the collected garbage cuts off sunlight and air and water is sealed
off. As a result, items in a land fill decompose at a much slower rate. Also, organic waste
that decomposes in an anaerobic or airless situation like a landfill produces a gas which
is composed primarily of methane. Methane is one of the greenhouse gases contributing
to global climate change. For every kilogram of solid waste that goes into a landfill, two
kilograms of greenhouse gases are produced.

The phrase “The Three R’s” which is known as “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle “has
become the slogan for the environmental movement to deal with our wastes. This phrase
has been expanded to ‘rethink, refuse, reduce, reuse, repair, recycle’. These words are
interconnected in terms of reducing waste, but they are all different. They are also
hierarchical or in order of importance. This means that people should start at ‘rethink’ but
not at ‘recycle’ thus we should consider our purchases based on need or reusability
instead of perceived recyclability. We are focused on reuse and repurpose as our primary
objective is to up-cycle, which can be defined as the repurposing of disposable or disposed
materials to create new products that are useful, beautiful or both. Up-cycled pieces retain
and often enhance the look and feel of the original discarded materials and are generally
used for purposes other than those for which they were originally intended. Sometimes the
end result is far better than the item’s intended purpose. The opportunities are endless
from making a bird feeder from a grapefruit peel to making a pair of earrings from a
computer motherboard to transforming a pallet to a coffee table.

2

PLASTIC

ACTIVITY 1: STATIONARY CASE

In this activity, you can change your old plastic bottles into useful and sturdy no-sew zipper
cases that will help you organize your life, for almost no cost at all. You can use them to
store all sorts of art and craft supplies. This is also an awesome back-to-school craft idea
for kids. To make one, cut the plastic bottle, glue a zipper to it, customise the decorations
and you are done.

Figure 1: Example of Stationary Case

Materials and tools:

2 water bottles (the same size and brand), 1 zipper (long enough to fit around the
circumference of your bottle), hot glue, heavy duty scissors.

Instruction:
1. Begin by cutting the tops off each of your bottles. Decide how long you want your
case to be and cut down your bottles to appropriate size.
2. Next, be sure that your zipper fits around the bottle, with a slight overlap at one
end. (If your zipper is too long…cut some of the zipper length from the two free
ends, not the end with the zipper stops.).

4

3. Now, begin gluing one side of the zipper down to the INSIDE of the bottle, with the
correct side of the zipper facing OUTWARD. Be sure the zipper track is about 1/8
of an inch away from the bottle, so that the zipper pull can function freely, without
running into the edge of the bottle.

4. Continue gluing the zipper around the inner lip of the bottle edge, making sure you
are not getting any glue onto the tracks of the zipper.

5. Once you reach the end, overlap the ends of the zipper fabric onto the other end of
the zipper, and glue in place.

6. Now, begin gluing the other side of the zipper to the other plastic bottle. Start with
the free zipper end and be sure that your bottle is positioned correctly.

7. Continue gluing until the other half of the zipper is completely attached.

Figure 1.1 Figure1.2

Figure 1.3 Figure 1.4
5

ACTIVITY 2: HANGING PLANTER

In this activity, you can use plastic bottles of any size to make a hanging planter. You do
not have to buy a new flowerpot from botanical shop, instead you can just made one from
the unuse plastic bottles.

Figure 2: Example of Hanging Planter

Materials and tools:

Plastic bottles, knives, masking tape, thread or strings, aluminium foils, soils, type of plant
you want to plant.

Instructions:

1. Use a sharp utility knife to cut off the base of the bottle about 1 inch above the
bottom, and then wash and try the bottle thoroughly.

2. Cover the exposed edge of the bottle with masking tape, and then punch 4 holes
around it at regular intervals for the twine.

3. Cut equal lengths of twine and tie them securely through these holes. When you
gather the ends together, the planter should hang straight down and not veer off at
one angle or another.

6

4. Cut a short length of aluminium foil, roll it into a tube, and line the bottle with it.
This will add an insulating layer that serves a dual purpose: it will keep sunlight
from drying out the soil, and it will draw heat from those happy sunbeams to keep
the plant’s roots toasty warm.

5. Select the type of plant you would like to grow. If you are growing plants indoors,
aim for culinary herbs like basil, parsley, cilantro, thyme, and rosemary, or simple
lettuces like arugula. If you will be hanging these outside, you can plant small
tomatoes, hot peppers, and even squash! Just make sure to top up the soil of
outdoor plants so they do not get depleted as they grow their fruits or vegetables.

6. Curl the tops of the seedlings in together to form a spear-like shape, and thread
that gently through the pop bottle’s drinking spout so the leafy bits are sticking out
the top, and the roots/soil are dangling inside.

7. Flip the bottle so the spout is facing downward and add in your soil. Do not pack it
in so tightly that the roots cannot spread out but nudge it enough, so the plant is
held securely.

7

Figure 2.1 Figure 2.2

Figure 2.3 Figure 2.4

8

ACTIVITY 3: FLOWER KEYCHAIN

In this activity, you can use your plastic bottles waste and turn it into a cute accessory such
as keychain. You can make this keychain as a gift to your friends.

Figure 3: Example of Flower Keychain

Materials and tools:

Plastic bottle, acrylic paint, stationary knife, scissors, thread, beads.

Instruction:

1. Cut the plastic bottle using knife or scissors.
2. Draw the flower shape on the plastic.
3. Cut the plastic along the contour.
4. Round out the edge using a candle.
5. Paint the shape using acrylic paint. You can use nail polish as an alternative.
6. Make a hole in the middle of the shape by using iron solder, or you can use hot

needle.
9

7. Insert the threads and beads through the hole and tie it up on a key ring.
10

PAPER & BOX

ACTIVITY 1: FLOWER DESIGN BOOKMARK

In this project, reader will need to generate a pulp from collected junk paper in order
to produce a sheet of paper by using homemade mould. Then, the paper will be cut before
glued on a cardstock and finish with a ribbon to form a pretty bookmark.

Figure 4: Example of Flower Design Bookmark
Material and tools:
Junk Paper, Homemade Mould, Electronic blender, Basin, Hot water, Newspaper, Couching
Cloth, Rolling pin, Dried flowers, Cardstock, Hole Punch, Glue Stick and Ribbon.
Hint and Tips

• To achieve a smoother and good finish, just iron over the paper while it is still
somewhat damp.

• The blended pulp should ideally be very fine so that it pours like a liquid onto the
mold.

12

Instruction

a. Pulp Production
1. Shred the collected old and unused paper into 5 cm squares and remove any non-
paper materials.
2. Soak the paper in a basin of tap water for almost one night.
3. The next day, fill your blender halfway with hot water and mix it with the already
soaked shredded paper for 30 seconds.
4. Transfer the generated pulp slurry into a basin.

b. Paper Making
1. Stir the paper pulp in the basin first before scooping some of the pulp onto the
homemade mould by using a spoon.
2. Wipe away the extra pulp from each edge of the mould by using fingertips and place
some dried flowers on top of the pulp.
3. Lay the mould face down on a couching cloth and use wad of newspaper to soak
up the water from the top of the pulp until the pulp is just damp.
4. Release the pulp from the mould by turning the mould facedown onto a clean cloth
by tapping the frame slowly and gently.
5. Cover the newly minted paper with newspaper and roll it with a rolling pin.
6. Uncover pulp and let it dry completely in the air.

c. Bookmark making
1. When the paper has dried, cut it into several strips.
2. Stick the paper strip to the cardstock using a glue stick.
3. Shape the underlying of the card and put a hole at one end to insert a ribbon

13

ACTIVITY 2: PAPER GIFT BAG

Using recycle gift bags instead of wrapping gifts is one of the methods in minimizing
the quantity of paper waste being produced. Moreover, the gift bag may be made in
customized sizes and patterns that are appropriate for the present and the gift's receiver.

Figure 5: Example of Paper Gift Bag
Materials and Tools
Unused Paper, Ruler, Pencil, Scissors, Glue, Hole Punch and Ribbon.

14

Instruction
1. Determine the height, width, and depth of the gift bag and estimate how much
paper that will be use.
2. Place paper on a clean and flat surface then fold one side of the paper over 1 cm
and crease it well.
3. Measure from the folded edge the depth measurement and mark in at least three
places to help in drawing a line to join the marks and fold along line creasing well.
4. Now measure and mark the width of gift bag from the second folded edge and
crease it well.
5. Repeat the same step for the depth and width for the left side of the designed gift
box.
6. Glue the 1 cm overlap to the rest of the paper to make a square tube and let it dry.
7. Make a valley fold by folding the narrower sides of the tube inward and in half so
that the wider sides meet before creasing it.
8. Select one end of the folded paper to be bottom and taking one of the corners then
fold it in on itself like wrapping a box. Make sure to do this on both sides.
9. Fold the top down and the bottom up so that it overlaps and glue one side of the
overlap onto the other.
10.To improve and create a lovely gift bag, punch two holes on each side for ribbon
handle.

15

Figure 5.1 Figure 5.2

Figure 5.3 Figure 5.4

16

ACTIVITY 3: CEREAL BOX BASKET

In this project, the bright colors from cereal box and other packaging will be used to
construct a basket out of strips of light boxboard. The activities involve cutting the package
into strips, gluing them end to end to make longer strips, then lining them up and weaving
them together.

Figure 6: Example of Cereal Box Basket
Materials and Tools
Cereal boxes or other types of boxboards, Scissors, Paper cutter, Hot glue gun, glue sticks,
wooden spoon, Decoupage Medium and Foam Brush.

17

Instruction
1. Cut to open the boxes using scissors and discard the sidewalls, base, and top
covers leaving only the front and back of the box. Use ruler and pencil to mark 6
mm strips and cut a straight line as possible with using the scissors.
2. Connect two strips by dabbing glue onto one and overlapping the second piece by
3 mm. Allow it to dry before making 26 of them.
3. Line up nine strips with the right side up by mixing up colors and designs. Weave
another 9 strips horizontally over and under the center of the vertical strips. Try to
ensure that the areas where have been glued are either over or under another
piece.
4. Flip the weaving around and fold the strips up and over the woven part at the first
horizontal piece from the bottom.
5. Ensure the folds in the strips line up to form a straight line before crimping using
your fingers or a wooden spoon.
6. Weave the strip in and out of the freshly formed sides and when reach to the corner,
make sure to fold the strip and form a clean edge.
7. Trim and glue the basket's ends together. Push the linked strip as near to the
bottom as feasible. Do not forget, to weave another prepared 7 strips.
8. Cut the vertical strips 20 mm above the top of the last woven horizontal section
and fold each end of the basket inside the basket and glue it in place.
9. Seal the inside and outside with a decoupage medium.

18

Figure 6.1 Figure 6.2

Figure 6.3 Figure 6.4

Figure 6.5 Figure 6.6
19

TIRES

ACTIVITY 1: FLOWERPOT MADE OUT OF TIRE

I don't know about you, but our garage is full of old and used tires. They had been
collecting dust for years until we decided to clear out the entire area to make room for our
actual cars. Some of the tires were in such horrible shape that there was nothing left to do
but dispose of them. But, in this activity we are going to change it into a beautiful planter.

Figure 7: Example of Tire Flowerpot

Materials and Tools
Old/unuse Tire, Paint, Brush, Chalk, Hacksaw/Knife
Instruction

1. Pick a slightly preserved old tire and place it on a flat and steady surface. You can
lay it on the ground or on a table, the most important part is for it to be even and
steady.

2. Pick up the cardboard cut-out of the pattern you have chosen and apply it to the
side of the tire. I personally chose triangles, because they are very easy to draw and

21

cut out without making mistakes. Then pick up the chalk and draw a repeating
pattern on the side of the tire.
3. Once the entire pattern is drawn on the surface, you can pick up the knife or
hacksaw, and start cutting through the tire. You can start at the tread near the trim
and work your way around. Make sure the knife is non-serrated, because otherwise
it will be a lot more difficult to cut the tire properly and you may destroy the whole
thing unwillingly.
4. Now it's time for the hardest part. To make the tire look like a flower, you will have
to invert all the triangles you have created with the knife. This means that you will
have to pull out each triangle separately, until all of them start pointing to the
outside. To do that, you'll have to place the tire on the ground, place your foot in the
center and start pulling. You'll need lots of strength to do that too.
5. Pick up the paint and decorate the tire planter any way you like. Just avoid using
lead-based paints, because they will harm the plants you're about to grow inside.
6. Find a good spot for your planter, place it, fill the tire with some soil and start
growing colorful flowers in it!

22

ACTIVITY 2: UPCYCLING TIRE INTO AN OTTOMAN

You might be thinking "Well what could I possibly turn a rubber tire into?" and my
answer for you is: an adorable rope ottoman to spice up your outdoor/indoor space for the
warm months ahead. Here's how to do it:

Figure 8: Example of Ottoman Made Up from Tire
Materials and Tools
Rope, Glue, Caulk Gun, Furniture Legs, Plywood, Screws, Drill, Clear Sealer
Instruction

1. Cut two pieces of plywood to match the size and shape of the tire.
2. Screw one piece of the now circular plywood to the top, then repeat on the bottom.
3. Attach legs to the bottom piece of plywood using screws (this step is optional.)
4. Wind the rope in a circle, beginning in the top, middle portion of the plywood. Glue

each piece down as you go (suggests using Liquid Nail) and continue until you've
reached the bottom of the tire.
5. Use a clear sealer to fill the seal the cracks in the ottoman.
6. Repeat step 5 again once dry.

23

ACTIVITY 3: TIRE SHELVE

What better way to organize toy cars or small figurine then shelves constructed from
used tires? If you have any leftover tires stored in your garage, here’s something you can
do with them. This toy storage shelf unit is a great recycling idea that doesn’t cost much to
put together and it looks really cool.

Figure 9: Example of Tire Shelve

Materials and Tools
Old Narrow Tire (motorcycle, bicycle), Plank, Screw, Drill, Hacksaw, Paint, Light Strip
(optional)
Instruction

1. For the middle board, measure the diameter of the inside circle and add 2” to each
side.

2. Take your center board and wedge it into the tire. Repeat with the top and bottom
boards.

24

3. Feel free to paint your shelves any color you want to add a little color to your
masterpiece.

4. Once the shelves are painted, drill holes through the tire and into the boards to
secure the shelves in place.

5. If you want to make it a little fancy, install lights to illuminate the shelves.
6. Lastly, assemble the contents of your shelves anyway you want.

25

AFTERWORD

IN ORDER TO SAVE OUR
ENVIRONMENT, WE VAN REDUCE THE
AMOUNT OF TRASH GENERATED BY
US. WE CAN START BY REUSING THE
MATERIALS THAT WE WANT TO THROW
AWAY INTOSOMETHING USEFUL.
IT IS ALSO A FUN ACTIVITYTO DO WITH
FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS.

AUTHORS, WASTE TO TREASURE.

26

CONCLUSION

IN CONCLUSION,

We live in a world where many of our
everyday items are disposable. From paper
to plastic, we throw away a lot ofitems that
are harmful to the environment if not
recycled properly.
An effective way to do our part is to buy
reusable, sustainably sourced items andto
reuse or recycle the disposable itemswe
have. By doing some simple and fun activities

suggested in this book, we can also reduce the
amount of materials that will be thrown away
and turn it into something useful.

27

APPENDICES

Appendix 1 Plastic Bottle Stationary Case
Appendix 2: Plastic Bottles Hanging Planter.
28

Appendix 3: Keychain made out of plastic bottles.

Appendix 4 Scrap Paper Bookmark
29

Appendix 5 Gift Bag made from newspaper.

Appendix 6 Cereal Box Basket
30

Appendix 7 Flowerpot made from old rubber tire.

Appendix 8 An Ottoman made from old tire.
31

Appendix 9 Tire Shelve.
32

Glossary

Ottoman - a low upholstered seat without a back or arms that
typicallyserves also as a box, with the seat hinged to form a lid.
Upcycle - The process of transforming by-products, waste
materials, useless, or unwantedproducts into new materials or
products perceived to be of greater quality, such as artistic
value or environmental value.

.

33

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Ashley. 2015. No-sew zipper cases…from old SODA (or water) bottles!. Retrieved: July
5th, 2021. [https://makeit-loveit.com/no-sew-zipper-cases-from-old-soda-or-water-
bottles]
DIY Enthusiasts. 2013. DIY keychain or a creative way to reuse plastic bottles.
Retrieved: July 5th, 2021. [https://diy-enthusiasts.com/diy-gifts/gift-ideas-diy-
keychain-plastic-bottles/]
DIY PROJECTS. 2018. DIY TIRE SHELVES. Town Fair Tire. East Haven. Retrieved: July
8th, 2021. [https://www.townfairtire.com/blog/diy-tire-shelves.html]
Jane W. 2015. Diy Flower Shaped Planter From Old Tire. Cut Out + Keep. Retrieved:
July 8th, 2021. [https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/diy-flower-shaped-planter-
from-old-tire]
Martin, Laura C. 2004. Recycled Crafts Box: Sock Puppets, Cardboard Castles, Bottle
Bugs and 37 more Earth-Friendly Projects and Activities You Can Create. Storey
Publishing. North Adams Massachusetts.
Occhipinti, Lisa. 2011. The Repurposed Library: 33 Craft Projects That Give Old Books
New Life. Stewart, Tabori and Chang, Abrams. New York.
Rhatigan, Joe and Rain Newcomb. 2006. Paper Fantastic: 50 Creative Projects to Fold,
Cut, Glue, Paint and Weave. Lark Books. Sterling Publishing. New York.
Taylor M. 2019. This Tire Upcycle Is... Actually Chic. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc.
Retrieved: July 8th, 2021. [https://www.housebeautiful.com/lifestyle/fun-at-
home/a26965087/easy-diy-rope-tire-ottoman/]
Watson, David. 1991. Creative Handmade Paper : How to Make Paper from Recycled
and Natural Materials. Search Press. Tunbridge Well, Kent, England.
Winter, C. 2015. How to make a pop bottle planter. Retrieved: July 5th, 2021.
[https://inhabitat.com/how-to-make-a-hanging-planter-with-a-recycled-plastic-pop-
bottle/pop-bottle-planters/]

34