These upcycled tin items give old materials new meaning. With the public taking on more of a responsibility to be ever more environmentally cautious, artists and architects alike are using recycled materials to push the boundaries of upcycling.
An example is Javier Arcos Pitarque’s robot sculpture, using completely re-purposed materials. Aside from tin cans, the robot is made of old radio and electric shaver parts.
A DIY shoe heel tutorial by OutsaPop reuses tin cans to embellish high heel shoes. This tutorial is ideal for fashionistas who are seeking to make a statement on a lower budget.
These upcycled products may or may not have been a result of pure boredom with a lower budget, but one this is for sure: these upcycled masterpieces do not cease to impress the public in their abilities to transform trash into treasures.
27 Upcycled Tin Creations
27
DIY Tin Can Treats
The 'OUR BEST BITES' Blog Shows How to Make Customized Gifts
26
DIY Tin Can Pumps
The 'Pringle of Scotland' Metal Heels are Urban Chic
25
Pop Can Prom Dresses
Maura Pozek Pops With Her Cantastic Gown Made Entirely of Recycled Soda Tabs
24
Recycled Tin Can Fashion
Ecoist Handbags Made of Pull Tabs
23
Beer Can Bracelets
Ann-Made Jewelry Supports the Environment and Local Charities
22
Retro Recycled Lighting
The 'Can Light' Seems to Pay Tribute to Andy Warhol
21
Dainty Upcycled Aluminum Jewelry
‘More Than Hip’ Transforms Recycled Aluminum Pull Tab
20
Upcycled Tin Can Lights
The 'Edward Coffee Can' Spotlight Reuses Vintage Coffee Cans
19
Soda Can Architects
Richard Van Os Keuls Covers His Home in Aluminum Cans
18
Repurposed Tin Whistles
The Loran Scruggs Toy Collection is Made from Scraps
17
Repurposed Tin Cans
The Soup Can Caddy Carries Your Summer Essentials
16
Astonishing Aluminum Automobiles
Herman Diver Creates Impressive Car Replicas From Pull Tabs
15
Eco Wine Jewelery
Maison Martin Magiela Accessories
14
DIY Uplifting Cupcake Decor
This DIY Hot Air Balloon Decoration Lifts Moods at Gatherings
13
Repurposed Robot Sculptures
These Fantastic Robot Sculptures are Made with Vintage Materials
12
DIY Robots from Aluminum Cans
The Canbot Helps You Recycle, Kinda
11
Pull Tab Beer Keys
The Pop Top Bottle Opener is a Retro Way to Pop the Top
10
Recyled Can Mosaics
Jeff Ivanhoe Makes Art from Trash
9
Tin Can Flower Pots
The 'Pallet Vertical' Garden is a Great Summer Project
8
Upcycled Aluminum Automobiles (UPDATE)
These Awesome CanCars Models Are Beery Cool
7
Crocheted Tin Tab Placemats
1,080 Ring Pulls Were Used to Make Each of These Da-Lata Placemats
6
Tin Can Drum Kits
Helmut Smits Makes Art from Ordinary Objects
5
Pull Tab Pendant Art
Mauricio Affonso Desgins New Lamp Made from Old Soda Can Tabs
4
3 Eco Chic Wastebins
Trash with Class
3
Tin Can Lighting
Adi Zaffran and David Keller's Illuminating Invention
2
Fishy Tin Timepieces
Tell Time at the Flick of a Tail with the Sardine Wall Clock
1
Upcycled Canned Fashions
The Michael Mixell 'Pull My Tabs' Collection is Quirky and Unexpected
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DIY Ombre Tights
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Eclectic Ethical Fashion
Upcycled 'Adamah Stein' Designs by Artisans in Senegal and Paris
Eerie Hand-Shaped Knobs
The 'Hand-Le Aluminum Door Handle' Makes Opening a Door an Exciting Task
Pop Can Prom Dresses
Maura Pozek Pops With Her Cantastic Gown Made Entirely of Recycled Soda Tabs
DIY Camera Filters
The Brit & Co. Blog Shows How to Take Creative Shots
DIY Superhero Kicks
The Easy Comic Book Heels are Crafty
DIY Pore Strips
The Petit Elephant Blog Shows How to Deep Cleanse Your Skin
Upcycled Scrap Accessories
The Petit H Collection Turns Factory Leftovers into Fine Fashion
Recycled Robotic Figures
Dario Tironi Uses a Mixture of Recycled Items to Create a Robot Family
Crafty Comic Clocks
Alantronics Superhero and Doctor Who Clocks Will Travel Through Time
Burnt-Out Bulb Light Fixtures
The Recycled Tube Light by Castor Takes Upcycling to Another Level
Cardboard Smartphone Speakers
The Eco Amp Amplifies Sound in a Natural and Eco-Friendly Manner
Animal Hooved Heels (UPDATE)
Outlier by Maskull Lasserre Will Deceive Mantrackers Around the World
Socially Responsible Bangles
Alkemie Jewelry is Made from 100% Reclaimed Materials
DIY Repurposed Playing Cards
The Brit & Co. Blog Shows How to Make a Sentimental Gift
DIY Egg Magnets
These Concrete Egg Magnets Will Nest Every Paper Clip in Sight
Recycled Industrial Residences
The Cement Factory by Ricardo Bofill is an Upcycled Home
3D-Printed Robots
InMoov by Gael Langevin is an Open Source Design for Anyone's Use
Organic Carved Jewelry
The Feminine Line by Odette Feels Natural and Delicate
Sustainable Change Beads
The Vibrant Andean Collection Supports Artisans in Ecuador
Doodled Dining Accessories
The Scribble Table Mats are an Untidy-Looking Way to Guard Against Mess
Pom Pom Heels
The ASOS Hippie Shake Leather Sandals with T-Bar Pom Pom Detail
DIY Tube Cakes
The 'A Beautiful Mess' Cupcake Pushpop are a Fun Treat
Flexible Rubber Lamps
Hector Serrano's SuperPatata Collection is Playfully Malleable
Eco Geometric Organizers
The Recycled Cardboard Basket Makes Tidying Up Fun
Papercraft Prom Dresses (UPDATE)
Alexandra Zaharova Creates Gorgeous Gowns Out of Paper
DIY Color Chip Lighting
The Paint Swatch Chandelier Combines Crafty and Chic
DIY Cardboard Clocks
Cardboard Clocks by John Helgi Holmgeirsson Makes You Work for Your Time
DIY Retro Cupcake Jars
The 'Running With Glitter' Blog Shows You How to Make Rainbow Cakes
DIY Giftable Paper Blouses
The FISKARS Father's Day Gift Bags Are Easy to Make & Impressionable
DIY Keyboard Designs
The 'Making It Lovely' Blog Shows How to Enhance the Computer
Barb-Boasting Booties
The Iris van Herpen and United Nude 'Thorn' Collection is Sharply Venomous
Retro Recycled Lighting
The 'Can Light' Seems to Pay Tribute to Andy Warhol
Eco-Friendly Frozen Indulgences
The La Lune Ice Cream is Made Using Milk from a Goat
Feather-Light Phone Cases
The Casemachine i5 Slimline Won't Add Extra Weight to Protect an iPhone
DIY Doggy Bowls
The 'A Beautiful Mess' Blog Shows How to Make Customized Dishware for Pups
Landfill Lighting
Cory Barkman Creates Lamps Out of Scrap Metal and Odds-and-Ends
Repurposed Colored Tree Stumps
The Focus Lineart Wood Paintings are Refreshingly Modern
DIY Gelatin Air Fresheners
The Instructables Blog Shows How to Create Your Own JELLO Scents
Coca-Cola Model Cars
The CanCars Hot Rod Turns Refreshment Tins into Miniature Rides
Squat Sumo Tea Sets
The Marshall Mashumaro Pottery Series by Quan Vu is Cheery and Cute
Upcycled Game Clocks
Decorate with Rustic Looking Domino Clocks
Eco Bottle Bulb Lights
These Beautiful Bottle Lamp Designs by Studio Swine are Upcycled Luxury
Radiant Recycled Circles
Virginia Fleck Creates Grocery Bag Works That are Anything But Trashy
Creepy Crawly Lanterns
Black + Blum Created the Freakiest Nightlight with the Climbing Light
Sparkly Cause Bracelets
Every Altruette Charm Design Goes Toward a Different Nonprofit
Upcycled Bottle Glasses
Bottlehood Recycles Wine, Beer and Liquor Bottles into Glass Cups
Eco-Friendly Fungus Storefronts
Olson Kundig Architects' Mushroom Farm Features Coffee Compost
Multifunctional Keys
The KeyTool is Perfect for the Impromptu Handyman
High-Fashion Tech Pumps
The Christian Louboutin 'Lady Peep' Heels are Infused with Computer Chips
Intense Inferno Heels
The Barbara Bui Flame Metallic Leather Pumps are Electrifyingly Fashionable
Upcycled Bridal Headpieces
Parant Parant's Couture Bridal Headpieces Reuse Fabric Stylishly
Affordable Eco Fashion
'Pickled Green Clothing' Makes Sustainable Affordable Accessible
Astonishing Aluminum Automobiles
Herman Diver Creates Impressive Car Replicas From Pull Tabs
Upcycled Paper Furniture
The Magazine Bench is a Page-Turning Place to Rest
Brilliant Disco Ball Installations
The 'Light Leaks' Installation Floods Rooms With Retro Light
Elegant Upcycled Jewelry
These Bouf Rings are Radically Recycled and Radiant
Twirling Waste Sculptures
'Thrown to the Wind' by Wang Zhiyuan is a Trash-Art Compilation
Upcycled Animal Sculptures
Ann P. Smith's Recycled Critter Creations are Amazing
Microloan-Giving Tees
The Naked Hippie Invests in Small-Scale Entrepreneurs in the Majority World
Repurposed Light-Fixture Luminaries
The RecycledLightCompany Recycled Bulb Lamps are Eco-Conscious
Beads to Fight Poverty
BeadForLife Sells Fair Trade Jewelry and Shea Butter Made in Uganda
DIY Customized Mugs
The ‘A Beautiful Mess’ Blog Shows How to Design With Sharpie Marke
Wearable Beer Openers
The BeerBot Pops a Bottle Top on the Spot
Solar-Powered Phone Chargers
The Monster Watts Case Boosts Your Phone On-the-Go
Designer Olympic High Heels
The 'Opening Ceremony Platform Sandal' is Ready for the Olympians
Refreshing DIY Fruit Bowls
This Lovely Painted Watermelon Bowl is Perfect for Summer Festivities
Strung-Up Lighting
The Puu Lamp Looks LIke a Modern Version of a Mid-Century Contraption
Multi-Facing Timepieces
The About Face Clock by MOTATOE Turns in Any Direction
Crime-Fighting Chemo Treatments
The A.C.Camargo Cancer Center Gives Children a 'Superformula'
Sci-Fi Minifig Timepieces
The LEGO Star Wars Clock Boasts Interchangeable Characters
Science Tool Lighting
The Test Tubes Chandelier by Designer Pani Jurek is Creative
Wall Melting Lighting
The Soft Architecture Collection Sinks into Strutures
$14,000 Prom Dresses
This Glittering Gown by Dress Goddess Makes a Bold Impact on Hearts & Wallets
DIY Natural Bug Repellent
This Recipe for Bug Repellent is Safe for Your Skin
Recycled Garbage Couture
Nancy Judd's Recyle Runway Exhibit Makes Trash Chic
DIY Cocoa Dessert Spoons
The 'A Beautiful Mess' Blog Shows How to Make a Delicious Treat
Up-Cycled Street Can Paintings
The My Dog Sighs ‘Canman’ Series is Made Out of Crushed
DIY Fingerprint Cushions
Be Prepared to Get Your Hands Dirty for This DIY Cushion Design
Lunar Timekeepers
Light up Your Nights with the Glow in the Dark Moon Clock
Kitschy-Colored Kicks
The Charlotte Russe Mixed Brights Cage Heels are Over-the-Top
Sun-Powered Stoves
Solar Cooker by Cheng-Tsung Feng is a Handy Disaster Relief Aid
Cloud-Connected Aluminum Styluses
Project Mighty Versatilely Works Between Different Devices
Badass Bottle-Busters
The Drinique Knuckle Bottle Opener Serves Two Very Important Needs
Unembellished Timber Teacups
Kami Wood Mugs are Wonderfully Wooden and Exorbitantly Overpriced
Real Robotic Stage Actors
This Theatre Troupe in Japan Performs Using Real Robot and Human Actors
DIY Cyborg Bug Kits
The 'RoboRoach' Kit Lets You Enslave a Cockroach Using Neurosurgery
Geektastic Beer Openers
The Exclusive Lightsaber Lets You Open Beer Like a Jedi
Fruity Lighting Solutions
The Undercover GILApple Lamp Will Keep Darkness at Bay
Endearing Droid Lamps
Nanan’s Personalized Art Work of ‘Urban Lights’ Brings Lig
Autism Assisting Robots
The NAO Robot Helps to Teach Children with Autism
Buoy-Inspired Lighting
The Jack Lamp by Julia Reischel is a Calming, Tilting Light
Minimalist Wall Timepieces
The Big Hands Clock by Yenwen Tseng Plays With the Perception of Time
Mustached Bottle Openers
The 'Handlebar' Artistic Corkscrew Made by Fred and Friends
Minimalist Neo-Retro Speakers
Bang & Olufsen BeoLab 14 Boasts Spatial Sound and Discreet Design
Adorable Charitable High Heels
The TOMS Sophie Wedge Offers Perfect Summer Style
Candy Wrapper Prom Dresses
Tara Frey Dons a Dress Made Out of Starburst Wrappers
Upcycled Sci-Fi Figurines
Sage Werbock Creates an Star Wars AT-AT Replica Out of Computer Parts
Eco-Friendly Trend Report
Gain Relevant Insight into Today's Green Movements
Commuter Bottle Openers
The 'Road Popper' for Your Bicycle is Convenient
DIY Candy-Dispensing Robots
These Quirky Robots make the Perfect DIY Valentine Gifts for Children
Truthful Time Tellers
The Mr. Jones 'The Accurate Clock' Will not Deceive You
Picturesque Time-Tellers
The Clock by Jonathan Dorthe Features Images of Montreal City
Upcycled LP Card Compartments
The Recycled Record Business Card Holder for Music Fanatics
Typographic Table Settings
Number Placemats and Letter Coasters Spell Out a Mess-Free Mealtime
Tidy Pussycat Placemats
The Pet Menu Set Keeps Your Lovable Four-Legged Messy Eaters in Check
DIY Cowhide Bouquets
Create a Rustic Leather-Wrapped Vase with Common Household Items
Silicone Skin Desk Lamps
These Desk Lamp Designs by Thomas Schnur are Flexible
Upcycled Canned Fashions
The Michael Mixell 'Pull My Tabs' Collection is Quirky and Unexpected
Ink Bottle Lighting
The Write? Light! Provides Soft Illumination to Jot Down Secrets
Bottle Cap Hole Punches
The 'BottleBob Bottle Cap Punch' Makes it Easy to Drink
Salvaged Christmas Tree Sleds
These Upcycled Sleds by Tom Hatfield are a Handmade "Treet"
Terrifying Brick-Hurling Robots (UPDATE)
Boston Dynamics' BigDog Robot Can Now Hurl Cinder Blocks
Robot Unison Boats
University of Pennsylvania Students Tested Out Robotic Boat Protoypes
Glaring Robot Alarm Clocks
This Giant Articulated Roboclock Flashes Red Eyes When an Alarm Rings
Aquatic Trash Artists
Mark Olivier Creates Amazing Works of Art Using East Bay Beach Garbage
Alcohol-Smuggling Walking Canes
This is the Perfect Way to Sneak Your Favorite Liquors Anywhere
Upcycled Fleece Tablet Cases
This New ReFleece Felting Method Turns Jackets into Tablet Cases
Upcycled Robot Toys
These Toby Atticus Fraley Creations Will Light Up Your World
Writing Utensil Top-Poppers
The Bottle Opener Pen Brings the Party to Your Breast Pocket
Warped Gamer Chronographs
The Super Mario Spiral Clock Keeps Time Using Classic Characters