Awesome Recycling

Maker Ross The Random loves to turn ordinary items into works of art. In this video, he shows us how he transformed a simple brass bolt into a shiny metal phoenix through a series of heating, bending, hammering, filing, and cutting with basic hand tools.

The machete is one of the most imposing bladed weapons out there. In this clip from blacksmith Green Beetle, he walks us through the process of creating one by recycling steel found in a rusty old push-handle lawnmower. It’s interesting to see how he determines the carbon content of the steel on the grinder.

One of the great things about metal is just how recyclable it can be. In this video from Random Hands, he shows how he transformed a rusty old bolt into a shiny new lighter with a steampunk aesthetic. While the reused steel was only used for its main chamber, the additional brass pieces really give it a finished look.

After digging up a rusty old nail from his yard, maker Bobby Duke transformed the nasty looking old piece of scrap metal into a beautiful miniature sword that’s fit for a tiny warrior. Along the way, he made a custom forge from a paint can, some concrete, and blow torches.

There are countless lens add-ons for smartphones, many of which are under $10. But if you’re really, really cheap, or just like to hack stuff, Chris Notap’s video will show you how to recycle lenses from cheap thrift store cameras, with shockingly good results.

Do you have an old, broken laptop lying around? Don’t just toss it in the trash. As DIY Perks shows us, there are a bunch of goodies inside that you can recycle to make things like stereo speakers, lighting fixtures, artworks, and more.

We rather enjoy watching tools being recycled to serve another purpose besides their original use. In this clip from Hassan “Habu” Abu-Izmero, he takes us through the process of transforming an old steel box wrench into a razor-sharp axe.

While some hotels are moving to larger, bottled bath products to reduce waste, there are still many who provide individually packaged soaps and toiletries. Tech Insider introduces us to Clean the World, a socially-responsible enterprise that takes these items, sanitizes, recycles, and donates them to populations in need.

Bulk Handling Systems shows off the Max-AI AQC-C, a robot designed to sort items on recycling lines, safely alongside humans, performing similar tasks to their living, breathing co-workers. For some reason, its gangly looking arms remind us of those air dancer guys in front of car dealerships.

Created by Carlo Ratti for Italian energy company ENI, this unique kiosk is designed to show how technology can enable sustainability. Its long, circular rail gradually releases oranges to be juiced, then dries and mills the discarded peels to create a bioplastic filament used by a 3D printer to make biodegradable cups.

In this episode of Wired’s Obsessed, they introduce us to Jeremy Mayer, an artist who creates truly incredible sculptures of birds, people, and other living things entirely from old typewriter parts. Check out more of his works on his Instagram feed.

The upper of VIA Design Lab’s stylish sneakers is knit from yarn made from recycled plastic. It also has a membrane that keeps water, dirt, and odor out for up to 2 hours. Its heel can also be folded to turn the shoe into a more breathable low-top. It comes in three colors.

Everlane’s Tread shoes are made from 45% recycled materials. Only 5.8% of the sole is made from virgin plastic, unlike many shoes where the sole is almost entirely made of the non-biodegradable material. It will be available in six colors starting 4/25/19.

The Futurecraft Loop is a prototype running shoe with an upper, outsole and laces made entirely out of recyclable TPU. Paired with adidas‘ Boost midsole, the Futurecraft Loop is also made to be durable and comfortable. Its second generation is slated for general release.

Everlane’s affordable and versatile All-Weather Jacket is windproof, water-resistant and has a relaxed fit. Like the rest of Everlane’s ReNew collection, its fabric is made entirely from recycled plastic water bottles. It comes in black, navy or olive.

The fabric of Coalatree’s Evolution Hoodie is made by recycling coffee grounds and plastic bottles. The resulting fabric is quick-drying and odor-resistant. The hoodie also has a zippered compartment. It packs into its own pocket for storage or for use as a pillow.

Barcelona-based Esferica makes the frame of its Fos sunglasses out of recycled plastic. The recycling process makes each frame unique, colorful, and fully recyclable. It also holds hour-long workshops where customers make their own sunglasses.

Thin and flexible plastic bags are deemed non-recyclable in the UK. Gomi collects these bags from the beaches of Brighton, then melts and molds them into speaker cases. Each case is made from 100 plastic bags. The Bluetooth 4.0 speaker lasts up to 18h per charge.

Jewelry artist Pablo Cimadevila shows how a pair of ordinary brass hex nuts can be transformed into an elegant diamond ring. Of course, the 1 carat diamond added significantly to the cost, but the ring itself was all about time, talent, and effort.

Etsy store Rehab Vintage LA offers stylish, made to order storage units using custom-made or reclaimed locker baskets from the ’50s or ’60s. The storage units are available in a wide variety of colors and configurations.

Crafter Luke Reed self-admittedly isn’t a wood lathe expert, but we’re still impressed with the results of his first ever lathe project – taking a stack old skateboard decks, laminating them together, then shaping them into a wooden beer bottle.

One Eleven’s SWII wristwatch has a nylon strap made from recycled plastic bottles. Meanwhile, its plastic case is made from castor bean oil, making it environmentally friendly. It’s water resistant down to 328ft and comes in four colorways, from muted to vibrant.

Among his many projects, maker M.N. Projects likes to take old bits of metal and transform them into shiny new objects. Here, he takes the sleeve from a large bearing, cuts out a section, flattens it, and sharpens it into a tomahawk.