Wait before throwing away broken, everyday items: you can recycle them!

Very often, when an object we use every day breaks or is no longer usable for its primary function, we throw it away without thinking twice. But not infrequently, we could give new life to these broken items by recycling creatively: we can use them for different purposes, save only a part of them to create a different item or dismantle them and reassemble them to decorate something in an original and unexpected way.

There are so many examples we can draw from, and here are some ideas that could be useful for recycling commonly used objects.

Bras: when replacing an underwire bra insert is no longer possible, perhaps because the whole bra has worn to the point of no longer doing its duty, we can still continue to use the padding / inserts in the cups (if the model used provided them). They can become cushions to make shoes with high heels more comfortable.

A really unusual idea is also to transform each cup (still with its underwire!) into a protective knee braces. They can be useful not only if we want to try out some sports, such as going out on roller skates (where perhaps it is better to use more robust, specialized protection) but when you are doing some job that forces you to be on your knees for a long period time (like laying a carpet) - especially if you are getting on in years.

There are also those who have had the idea of incorporating a bra is no longer worn due to some defect (perhaps the suspender straps or other parts have lost their shape, but the cup is still in good condition). Here, the cups are used in a garment which has been made by hand using crochet: they are perfect for giving the right shape to a bodice.

Old CDs: with data now contained on USB pendrives and music consumed almost exclusively in digital format (mp3, mp4, etc), compact discs are increasingly becoming a relic of the past. Plus, the scratched ones are basically unusable ...until they are transformed into something else.

For example, you can break them up into mosaic-sized pieces to decorate shelves and surfaces with an iridescent pattern.

By shaping them with a little heat, old CDs can take on a thousand forms: for example, there are those who transform them into flowers to decorate the garden. In addition, the reflections given off from the CDs in the sun can be used to chase birds away from the garden.

One of the classic DIY projects for recycling CDs is to turn them into unique coasters.

When only the little bit of a paint remains in a paint can, it does not necessarily mean that it is unusable: if it has a coloring and texture that works well with other materials, you could use the leftover paint for some small DIY projects, such as touching up some furniture pieces (good for covering up chips and bangs).

And if you only have a small amout of a colored paint left over, but a lot of white paint, you can mix the first with ever greater quantities of the white to create shades in the same color range: it will be perfect for painting furniture with an "shadowed" effect.

Also, if you really don't know what to do with leftover paint, you could tell friends and acquaintances you have some available: you never if someone needs it for their DIY projects at their home!

Tinfoil can also come in handy in a number of ways. Generally, the sheets were used to cover or wrap up some food - even if they are not dirtied by the food - are thrown away. But there are various ways to use the tinfoil balls, such as to scrape the grim off metal grids or can even be used in the laundry or dishwasher.

And if a smooth piece of aluminum foil remains as a leftover, it is very useful for moving furniture around the house without scratching the floor.

What are the most useful recycling ideas you have ever used?