Upcycling Projects to Try : Number 5 : Scrabble Fridge Magnets

Upcycling Project Number 5: Scrabble Fridge Magnets

Upcycling is becoming increasingly popular, as concern for the environment and a desire to save money is leading many people to think seriously about what they are throwing away.

Recycling is a popular way of reducing waste and reusing resources, but it takes time and money to put processes into place to collect, sort and process the recyclable materials. Upcycling is about taking the time to think about whether you can reuse something before you throw it away.

Reuse, reuse, reuse

You might be able to turn that unwanted Christmas jumper into a cushion cover or you might consider hanging onto cardboard boxes or egg cartons for a children’s school or home craft project. The possibilities are endless.

Why upcycle?

In the UK, we throw away 1.8 million tonnes of textiles alone each year. We need to find alternative ways to recycle and reuse our waste. Doing so really benefits the environment. Here’s how:

• If waste is not going to landfill, there’s no excessive methane being produced, so it can slow down climate change.
• Even recycling uses energy and resources; upcycling doesn’t.
• You can save money by upcycling as you won’t need to buy new items.

Make your own scrabble fridge magnets

People are so obsessed with electronic gadgets these days, they forget the attraction of more traditional pastimes such as board games. If you have an old game of scrabble lying around, unused, and unloved, this project is for you.

What you will need:

Scrabble tiles, magnetic strips (easily bought from craft supply shops), adhesive (a spray is best), and scissors.

This project is super simple. All you need to do is trim the magnetic strips to fit on the back of a tile, spray them with adhesive and stick them to the tile. You can use them as simple fridge magnet to spell out names, or use them to fix your save the date cards, appointment cards or reminders to your fridge, and they will look pretty and quirky in your home too!