Second life for packaging – we turn used materials into something new and valuable.

Small dilemmas can become the beginning of change. Have you ever wondered what to do with the empty packaging from products that end up in the trash every day? Or have you looked at an elegant tube of natural dietary supplements and thought it would be a shame to throw it away? Meanwhile, thanks to the idea of upcycling, you can give a second life to objects that seem useless at first glance.

What is upcycling and how can you creatively transform waste into something new and valuable? Can organic food supplement packaging become original containers, decorations, or even practical everyday items? We will tell you how to reduce waste and take care of the planet, starting with small steps!

Upcycling - the art of giving a second life

As concern for the environment becomes more and more important, sensitive to the world around them and creative users of everyday objects are looking for solutions to reduce waste. One of them is upcycling. The first use of the word upcycling is attributed to the German engineer Reiner Pilz. In 1994, in a conversation with journalist Thornton Kay, Pilz criticized the common approach to recycling, which often involved degrading the quality of materials (so-called downcycling). He proposed an alternative consisting in "adding value" to waste, which he called upcycling.

So what is upcycling? In short, it is the process of giving new value to old, unnecessary items. It is the transformation of waste into something useful or aesthetically pleasing. Unlike recycling, where materials are broken down and recycled, upcycling focuses on directly improving seemingly unnecessary things. Upcycling is about discovering the potential in items that would otherwise end up in landfill. In pre-industrial times, this approach was a necessity because people used old materials, such as leftover fabrics, wood or metal to create new items. These raw materials were not as easily available and cheap as they are today. Thus, upcycling as a term was introduced in the 1990s, but the idea itself existed much earlier and was a natural part of everyday life and an element of caring for resources.

Modern upcycling differs from the historical one, as it is driven by environmental concerns and awareness. This process allows not only to reduce waste, but also to express oneself through unique designs. Almost any unnecessary object can be given a second life. Old furniture can become original interior furnishings, and worn-out clothes - fashionable accessories for a completely new style. It is also a great way to give a second life to packaging, such as jars, cans or cardboard, which can be used as decorations, storage containers or plant pots.

Second Life for Objects - Ideas for Being More Eco

If you are wondering how to introduce the idea of upcycling into your life, start with small steps. Many items can be upcycled: packaging, clothes, furniture and trinkets that we use every day at work, school and home.

Upcycling clothes

• Worn-out shirts or blouses can easily be transformed into shopping bags or everyday backpacks. There are plenty of tutorials online that show you how to do it, even without sewing skills.
• If you have clothes that are no longer suitable for wearing, you can create a blanket or a patchwork-style throw from them. It's a great way to combine the practical use of pieces of material with an original design.
• You can use old scarves or jeans to make decorative garlands, pillowcases or chair upholstery.

Upcycling furniture

• Old furniture that no longer seems needed can be given a new lease of life by refreshing it. A bit of paint, varnish and a change of handles can make an old cabinet look new and one of a kind.
• You can turn unused wooden pallets into stylish garden furniture, and from the boards of an old table you can create shelves or a wall hanger.

Upcycling decorations

• You can turn leftover old materials, beads or even plastic caps into original, handmade jewelry.
• You can repaint old picture frames and use them as organization boards or places to hang photos.
• From food packaging, toilet paper rolls or fabric scraps you can create Christmas decorations – baubles, garlands and even eco-friendly gift packaging.

Upcycling everyday bits and pieces

• Toilet paper rolls are a great way to organize cables. You can paint or decorate them in other ways to make them look aesthetically pleasing.
• You can make original coasters for cups or hot pots from wine corks. Just connect them with glue and optionally varnish them.

As you can see, upcycling offers huge opportunities while reducing the amount of waste going to landfill. It also develops creativity, saves money, and allows you to spend special time with your loved ones, giving you unforgettable memories while creating new things.

Second life for glass, metal and cardboard packaging

With simple ideas, you can give a second life to objects that seemed useless, and thus contribute to building a more ecological world. These useless products are most often packaging for everyday accessories. In bags for waste sorting, glass jars, bottles, cans, cardboard boxes, as well as jars and tubes for vitamins, medicines and dietary supplements, most often appear. And it is from them that it is worth making interesting objects.

• Jars – Glass jars from jams, pickles or sauces are a versatile material. You can turn them into lanterns by filling the inside with a candle and decorating with jute string. Combining a jar with LED lights will allow you to create atmospheric lighting for the living room or terrace. Just insert the chain into the jar to create a subtle light source. They are also great as containers for spices, seeds or dried fruit – just add colorful labels.
• Wine/orange soda bottles – Glass wine bottles, especially those with an interesting shape or original color, work great as vases for single flowers and small bouquets. Just wash them thoroughly and optionally decorate with paint, jute string or interesting graphics. Wine bottles can be used as dispensers for olive oil, vinegar or other liquid spices. Just buy the right cork with a dispenser. In turn, in the bathroom, they can turn into elegant containers for liquid soap, shampoo or dishwashing liquid. Using the right pump or cork will make them functional and stylish.
• Cans – Empty coffee or other product cans can be used as flower and herb pots. You can also create herb balcony gardens out of them. Just paint them in your favorite colors or cover them with material to make them look unique and pleasing to the eye.
• Cardboard boxes – Large shoe boxes or courier packages are an ideal base for creating desk organizers, e.g. for storing documents or making toy boxes. Just cover them with decorative paper or wallpaper scraps. You can also make houses for your pets from large and strong boxes.

The second life of capsule packaging

Taking into account the fact that the tubes we offer are made of 100% cardboard, and guided by the idea of upcycling, we present some ideas for reusing our packaging.

1. Given the handy shape and stability of the packaging, you can use it as a toolbox, e.g. for office accessories or makeup brushes.
2. Thanks to the fact that the package has a closure, it is perfect as an organizer for small items such as buttons or other knick-knacks such as jewelry.
3. By having several packages, you can take advantage of their regular shape and use them to sort and organize things from the same category but differing in size, for example.
4. In these relatively small packages, you can also wrap a gift, especially if you value handmade items. The packaging is stable, and at the same time well-made. To decorate, just a colored ribbon or stickers are enough.
5. You can also make decorations from tubes. By cutting out different kinds of shapes in tubes (e.g. stars) and placing lights in them, you can create interesting lighting.
6. Due to the fact that the tube of our natural dietary supplements has an insert inside with a food safety certificate, you can use it to store, for example, spices, teas or other loose kitchen products.
7. Additionally, the tube can be used as a temporary container, e.g. for small dry snacks while traveling.
8. The packaging can also be used as a pot for seedlings. To do this, simply fill the tube with soil, sow seeds or plant a seedling, and then move it to the target location together with the tube (it is biodegradable and safe for the soil).
9. With their help, you can create many original and imaginative toys for children. It is best to let them be creative on their own.
10. By pouring dried flowers or other fragrant dry items inside the box and making a few holes in the lid, you will obtain homemade wardrobe fresheners.
11. The tubes can also be used to create various artistic projects.
12. The glued tubes are perfect as plant supports or, after cutting out the bottoms, as packaging for posters or other similar items.

These are just a few examples that show that almost anyone can find an idea for reusing tubes!

Second Life for Packaging - Summary

Natural dietary supplement packaging can be easily used in upcycling, giving them a second life. Glass bottles are great as containers for spices, herbs or trinkets in the bathroom, and tubes of organic dietary supplements can be used as desk organizers or pots for herbs. As a manufacturer of natural and organic dietary supplements, we support the idea of zero waste and upcycling, while taking care of the environment.