How to Recycle an Old Coffee Cup

Do you have old coffee cups that you no longer use but can’t quite bear to throw away? Why not use a little creativity to give those unused coffee cups a new look? There are a variety of fun ways to accomplish jazz up an old coffee cup. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Add some brush strokes.

A plain white coffee cup is the perfect canvas for your artistic talents. Even if you think you’re not an artist you can still embellish a coffee cup by using stencils or painting an abstract design. There are paints specifically designed for painting on the smooth, ceramic surface of a coffee cup. One example is Pebeo Porcelaine 150 paints which can be found at some craft and art supply stores. Simply paint your design onto the cup and bake at 300 degrees Fareneheit for thirty minutes. When you remove the cup from the oven, the paint will have a beautiful glaze-like consistency. The finish should be relatively permanent as long as you don’t use harsh, abrasive cleaners or scouring pads on them. Why not personalize a coffee cup for someone special by writing their name on the cup? Pebeo Porcelaine even has felt tip markers for personalizing.

Turn it into a candle.

Why not use an old coffee cup to create a fragrant smelling container candle? All you need is candle wax, candle fragrance, and a wick, to make a candle in the scent of your choice. You can find complete instructions for making container candles online by doing a Google search. This process is quick and easy to do at home. If you don’t want to make your own candle, find a pillar candle that fits inside your coffee cup. For an artistic touch, paint the cup before adding the candle. For a quaint country look, stencil along the upper edge of the cup with a checkerboard pattern in country colors. Add a vanilla or apple scented candle and tie on a raffia bow. Perfect for a country themed kitchen!

Create a floral arrangement.

Use an old coffee cup as a container for a floral arrangement you create at home. To do this, cut floral foam to fit inside the cup. Once you’ve chosen your florals, insert the stems into the foam in a pleasing arrangement. Cover any floral foam that’s visible in the cup with moss. You can also add other decorative elements such as beaded picks and natural greenery to achieve the look you want. Finish by adding a ribbon or raffia to the handle. If you have a matching saucer, you can glue the cup with the floral arrangement to the saucer for an added decorative element.

There are so many ways to decorate an old coffee cup. In addition to paint, you can use stickers, flat backed craft stones or gemstones, and even old earrings, buttons, and pieces of jewelry. Why not turn an old coffee cup into a Victorian business card holder by gluing on old filigrees and stones? It’s a fun and creative way to recycle.