Beer-Box Trash Can

The Beer-Box Trash Can is pretty much what its name suggests -- a small trash can fashioned out of a beer box. It can also be configured as a Beer-Box Recycling Bin.

Beer box -- these are getting harder and harder to find. It has to be a box (for 12 tall bottles, not cans) with four flaps of the same height that fold upward. In the entirety of my beer store, I could only find one variety sold this way.

Paper bag -- any standard grocery bag will do.

Tape gun -- while not strictly necessary, use of a tape gun (really the tape it provides) will result in a stronger and crisper product.

As noted above, twelve packs of beer bottles in sturdy cardboard containers are getting difficult to find. It is important that the box have four flaps that end up at the same height. Choose your box carefully and take your time at this step. The quality of the final product depends on it. Try not to tear the flaps when you open the box.

Once selected, dispose of the beer in a social and ecologically responsible fashion. The beer and the beer bottles are not needed for this project. Just the box.

Open up the paper bag. While not strictly necessary, using tape results in a crisper and stronger final product. Apply one layer of packing tape all the way around the top edge of the bag. This does two things. It reinforces the top so the bag does not tear when you fold it. It also sets a good width for the fold. It might be helpful at this stage to have an assistant to help with the taping.

Fold the top of the paper bag over. The tape should now be hidden in the fold. Take your time at this step and be careful not to tear the top of the paper bag. The tape should really help with this.

Now make two more folds. The completed bag should be just a bit taller than the beer box.

Note -- some paper bags are shorter than others. It is MUCH better to have too much bag in the box than too little. If three folds makes the paper bag too short to reach the bottom of the box, just use two.

This step consists of little more than pushing the bag into the box! The bag is a little bit bigger than the box, so there will be some crinkling. Take your time on this step; the quality of the final product depends on it. It is important that each of the four flaps slides up under the folded part of the bag.

To complete the project, tighten the top of the bag by making a small pleat or fold that takes up the excess paper at the top of the box. Then apply two layers of tape all around the outside of the bag. Since the fold started with a width equal to that of the tape, there should be enough space for the tape to fit comfortably.

That's it. You're done! Make a bunch of them and distribute liberally around your workspace.

There are several things to note about this project. The Beer-Box Trash Can can clearly be configured to be a Recycling Bin. This can be effected largely by a change in attitude and perception. It is also worth mentioning that this is not a great elementary school project and does not qualify for any scouting badges. This project can, however, be used to illustrate the principles of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. This is an important message for folks of all ages. I was also on my bicycle when I got this beer box. The box would not fit in the pannier but the twelve individual bottles would! There is a beer-packing theorem floating around here somewhere! Education is all around us! It was noted at the beginning that the contents of the box should be disposed of in a responsible manner. Assuming the traditional way of disposing of said product, it goes without saying that this is best done AFTER the construction of the Beer-Box Trash Can. Kick back and enjoy the fruits of your labor!