Repurposed Soda Cans

I resued soda cans instead or throwing them away. Recycling cans can also help conserve non-renewable fossil fuels and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Without recycling, more waste would end up in landfills, which can take up space and release greenhouse gases

Empty soda can

Scissors

playdoh

Pens/pencils

Paint(optional)

Pliers(Optional)

Glue Gun

Construction Paper/ Or Printed Design

Take an empty soda can. Rinse it out with water so that it removes any traces of soda left in it. Cut off the top off the can using a utility knife. Cut at a plane a little above the upper rim (i.e. the point where the cylinder starts). Also please be careful not to cut yourself while doing this. The easiest way to do it is to push the knife vertically in the top so as to make a hole. Then using the point where the knife meets the can as a lever, twist the knife so that it keeps on cutting more. Kind of how a can opener works.

Now you have an empty can and its top. Dispose of the can top.

The reason for cutting at a level above the rim is this. After cutting the top off, simply twist the part above the rim to make a smoother edge. The aluminium is soft enough to be shaped with the fingers. Again if you are not careful, you can cut yourself. Use pliers if necessary. The reason why I suggest using fingers is that you want to keep the can smooth and rounded. Excessive force from any tool will bend and disfigure the smoothness of the can. Also, the aluminium can can(?) crack under excessive pressure.

If there are any deformities still present, use your judgement to press and squeeze (the can) to make it as round as possible.

Turn the can upside down. Take some playdoh (or any other suitable substitute), flatten it and stick it in the curved depression on the bottom of the can. This will provide some weight to the empty can and will prevent it from toppling over. Flatten it so that it doesn’t poke out from the bottom and the can stands firm on the table.

You can is ready to use. If you like the raw look, you can use it as it is. Otherwise you stick a blank piece of paper on the curved surface and decorate it as you like. Another idea is to print a yearly calendar on a piece of paper and stick it around the can.