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We now know that processing aluminum foil can harm the environment. But we also know that aluminum foil is 100% recyclable. Did you know that there are lots of other creative and practical ways to reuse aluminum foil?
I usually use aluminum foil to wrap my PB&J sandwich that I take to work. After I eat my sandwich, I always save the foil and take it home to wrap another sandwich in.
But sometimes the routine gets a little boring, and I find myself searching outside the box for new and different ways to reuse foil. And once I get those creative juices flowing, I can think of so many unique reuses. Here are some of my favorites:
- Keep the Mice Away
Eeeeew.I really don't like talking about this particular reuse, especially since I just did it last night! But let's face it, mice are everywhere—especially if you're living in a 100 year-old six floor walk up apartment in Manhattan. My ancient apartment has several cracks in the wooden floors and walls. And you know what that means.
CRACKS = easy access for rodents
Recently, my boyfriend and I realized that if you take some old aluminum foil and squeeze it through cracks in the walls, the mice will disappear. Even if the foil doesn't completely fill the crack, the sharp texture of aluminum scares the mouse from trying to slide through it. It's much more humane than using mouse traps or hiring an exterminator. - Scouring Sponge
Aluminum Foil's rough texture is perfect for scrubbing those grimy pots and pans. You won't even have to wash the foil before reusing it. And you'll save money because you'll never have to buy a brillo pad again. Just be sure to wear gloves so you don't cut your hands. - Makeshift TV/Radio Antenna
Not all of us are lucky enough (or rich enough) to take part in the so-called booming trend of "Digital Cable." Some of us have instead stubbornly held onto watching basic cable on a TV set that was purchased in 1986.
While such simplicity does have its perks, my "antique" TV and I definitely have a love/hate relationship. This is mainly due to a constant fuzzy screen, and the fact that the metal antenna that sits on top never seems to be helping ANYTHING.
But thanks to my stash of used aluminum foil, all I need to do is take a little piece of foil and wrap it around the antenna. Voila! I get a clear picture. I have no idea why or how it works, but it does. I'm sure there's some scientific explanation behind it, but I'm perfectly content knowing what I already know—that it WORKS! - Stove Covers and Burner Liners
This one changed my life. Before, every time I cooked on my stove, it always looked like half of my dinner had spilled onto the stovetop. Then one day I realized that I could reuse aluminum foil to line my stovetop.
Just cut (or append) your foil into a circle slightly larger than your burner, and cut a hole in the middle for the flame to come through. Kinda like a doughnut. You'll never have to clean a spill from your stovetop again. - Arts & Crafts
The possibilities on this one are seriously endless. It would take another post to even get started on all the different reuses, but I'll try.
The great thing about foil is that you can manipulate it into any shape. For example, one piece of foil can be easily molded into a ring shape. You could turn the rings into a bracelet, play handcuffs, a pair of earrings, or an ornament.
Even if you have too many ornaments-say on your Christmas Tree- you could make a star out of the foil and place it at the very top of the tree. (That's what my family did for 10 years straight-just a piece of cardboard and some aluminum foil).
Foil is super shiny, it also makes a pretty decoration for a greeting card, placemat, or picture frame. Since it's easy to make sharp perforations, you can turn foil into gift-wrapping paper. Dye the foil or draw marker over it to give it an edgy metallic look. Or, you could simply sketch a drawing with a toothpick alone. Amazing, right? - Pee-Wee's Foil Ball
Okay fine. I'll admit that this isn't the most eco-friendly reuse out there. But I was a HUGE fan of Pee-Wee Herman's Playhouse growing up. As a child, all I ever wanted was a giant ball of aluminum foil just like his. I used to fantasize about how long it would take to save up enough foil to actually make a life-size ball.
Obviously, I'm not saying "go run out to the store and buy a ton of foil just to make a foil ball." But if you're someone who uses a lot of foil (i.e. you work at a restaurant), this could be a very cool addition to your living space. Whether you choose to use it as a piece of furniture, or as a piece of avant-garde artwork, I guarantee you that all of your friends will be flooded with envy.
Read about more reuse ideas:
Reuse, Recycle Your Aluminum Foil
5 Reuses for: Tea Bags
Love green gadgets, fashion, and news? Get the latest from Planet Green's dynamic duo Suchin Pak and Daniel Sieberg on the G Word.
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