Recycle Your Instant Coffee Pods With 15 Awesome DIY Projects

Instant coffee makers, like Keurig and Nespresso machines, are great for saving time in the morning and money at the coffee shop. However, the pods these machines use aren’t very eco-friendly. In 2013, Keurig produced 8.3 billion plastic K-cups, enough cups to wrap around the world 10 and a half times. Unfortunately, most of these K-Cups are thrown in the trash rather than recycled, and end up in landfills.

If you’re a K-Cup or Nespresso coffee drinker, think twice before throwing away the packaging. Instead of tossing it in the garbage, why not turn it into an awesome, upcycled DIY project? Check out the amazing creations below and hack into your coffee pod’s true potential. Not only will you be helping the environment, but you’ll have a one-of-a-kind piece of handmade art to show off, or an inventive new way to save time and money.

1. Clean out K-cups, add a little bit of water, and fill them with fresh herbs. Stick them in the freezer and keep them on hand to add to soups and sauces.

Clean out K-cups, add a little bit of water, and fill them with fresh herbs. Stick them in the freezer and keep them on hand to add to soups and sauces.

Happy Hooligans

2. Reuse K-cups as organizers for office and craft supplies.

Reuse K-cups as organizers for office and craft supplies.

Happy Hooligans

3. All you need is a little glue and a thin piece of cardboard to turn a K-cup into a one-of-a-kind stamp.

All you need is a little glue and a thin piece of cardboard to turn a K-cup into a one-of-a-kind stamp.

Entirely Smitten

Check out the full tutorial here.

4. Cut holes in the bottom of Nespresso pods and add them to a string of Christmas lights for a year-round decorative garland.

Cut holes in the bottom of Nespresso pods and add them to a string of Christmas lights for a year-round decorative garland.

Trendvee

See how it’s done here.

5. Use pods as tiny planters for an indoor herb garden.

Use pods as tiny planters for an indoor herb garden.

Instructables

6. Hang them from the ceiling for ethereal, tiny hanging planters.

Hang them from the ceiling for ethereal, tiny hanging planters.

Off The Beaten Path

Read the instructions here.

7. Crushed Nespresso pods can be made into a colorful decorative curtain for your home.

Crushed Nespresso pods can be made into a colorful decorative curtain for your home.

Upcycle Us

8. Or, use the pods to create a fun lamp shade.

Or, use the pods to create a fun lamp shade.

Blog De Residuos

9. Use K-cups for a tiny take on this sparkle ball DIY project.

Use K-cups for a tiny take on this sparkle ball DIY project.

Pinterest;Grandmother Wren

10. K-cups make perfect molds for tiny kid-perfect popsicles.

K-cups make perfect molds for tiny kid-perfect popsicles.

Cross Country Cafe

Or, make them using the coffee you brewed with the cups.

11. Buy some K-cup caps and reuse them for coffee or for perfectly portioned kid snacks.

Buy some K-cup caps and reuse them for coffee or for perfectly portioned kid snacks.

Pinterest

12. It’s hard to believe this gorgeous necklace is made from used Nespresso pods.

It's hard to believe this gorgeous necklace is made from used Nespresso pods.

Cafe and Soda

13. A K-cup holder, plus some empty K-cups, makes a great hair accessory organizer.

A K-cup holder, plus some empty K-cups, makes a great hair accessory organizer.

Sew Many Ways

14. This cute trinket treasure box is made with an old K-cup.

This cute trinket treasure box is made with an old K-cup.

Entirely Smitten

Read how to make one here.

15. You can also refill your K-cups with your favorite ground coffee.

You can also refill your K-cups with your favorite ground coffee.

Hub Pages

Find out how here.

Now, I can keep all the used K-cups from our office and make some pretty awesome things! Will you make any of these crafts or use any of these K-cup hacks?

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