10 Creative Ways to Recycle Old T-Shirts

From handbags to scarves, here are 10 cool ways to recycle the old t-shirt that you just can’t get rid of!

We all have that one favorite t-shirt that we wore in high school or found in a thrift store that we just can’t throw away. Even though it has holey armpits or food stains, there’s some sentimental value in it, so we either keep it tucked away in a drawer or wear it on a daily basis, embarrassing anyone who hangs out with us.

Instead of holding onto a shirt that might get lost in mounds of clothing or worn down to a few pieces of thread, there are many cool ways that we can recycle the shirt to keep its value alive. Here are 10 creative ways to turn that old shirt into something amazing and new!

1. Recycled T-Shirt Laptop
Hello Rewind is a social enterprise that recycles t-shirts into customized laptop sleeves. The laptops are handmade by female survivors of sex-trafficking in New York City who hope to rebuild their lives with new sewing, English and business skills.

2. Recycled T-Shirt Scarf
This beautiful scarf was hand-knitted by Corvus Tristis, a recent CSU graduate who loves arts and crafts. You can see the entire process behind the knitting of the scarf on her livejournal blog.

3. Upcycled T-Shirt Mini-Messenger
Check out this cool video created by BrokenEarProductions. It shows you how to turn that old shirt into a handy messenger bag.

4. Upcycled Eco-Couture T-Shirt
This snazzy design was created by Stacy J. Lee, a New York-based fashion designer. It’s part of her Re (-) Creation collection, which turns leftover and discarded garments into stylishly new pieces.

5. Upcycled T-Shirt Cardigan
Turn that shirt into an amazing cardigan just like New Yorker Cal Patch did! Here’s an entire t-shirt to cardigan tutorial that shows you how to do this.

6. Upcycled T-Shirt into St. Patrick’s Day Underwear
I couldn’t get away with this post without mentioning something that has to do with St. Patty’s Day! Featured on Recycled Lovelies, a website dedicated to upcycling feminine, vintage clothing, this underwear/bikini bottom is a great way to celebrate all things green.

7. Upcycled T-Shirt Rugs
TalkingSquid features these cool and colorful recycled t-shirt rugs on Etsy.

8. Recycled T-Shirt Quilt
Erika Kern shows readers how to make a beautiful recycled t-shirt quilt on CraftStylish.com. You can use both solid, patterned and graphic tees!

9. Recycled T-Shirt Dryer Pillow Sheets
These cute t-shirt the dryer pillow sheets come in sets of 3 and are featured on Etsy by designer zJayne. They are made with old t-shirt sleeves and are a great alternative to chemically treated dryer sheets.

10. Upcycled T-Shirt Skirt Addition
Want to add some style to an existing skirt that you have? Do what Karen from Beelieve did! She created this beautiful skirt by sewing on scraps of old shirts.

Do you just how much cooler that old t-shirt can be if you recycle it into something new? Now go and grab that shirt and let your creativi-TEE flow!

Greenopolis.com is dedicated to our users. We focus our attention on changing the world through recycling, waste-to-energy and conservation. We reward our users for their sustainable behaviors on our website, through our Greenopolis Tracking Stations and with curbside recycling programs.

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