How can I reuse or recycle … an old wire waste paper bin?

BinHad an email from Brian Hunting:

I’ve got an office waste paper bin, the wire framed sort, that’s gone rusty. After it left rust stains on the carpet my wife banned it from the house.

I thought about making it into a hanging basket for the garden but think it’ll be too deep as is and I don’t know if I’ll be able to cut it down without losing its shape. I wondered if your readers had any better suggestions instead.

So then?

(Original photo by brokenarts)

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13 Responses to “How can I reuse or recycle … an old wire waste paper bin?”


  1. john b says:

    you could use it for collecting potatoes or root vegetables from the garden then run the whole lot under a tap to wash off the worst of the mud, like a giant seive.

  2. trish says:

    paint it with rustoleum. it will be almost good as new

  3. SarahP says:

    We use a similar one to collect glass bottles in before we take them to the recycling place. We used to use buckets but they’d fill with rainwater, which obviously doesn’t happen with wrire bins.

  4. Firebucket for burning paper with financial details on it, etc.

    A topiary bush guide.

    Halloween costume.

  5. GirlGenius says:

    This sounds weird, but trust me, it works.
    To remove the rust, paint it with molasses. Leave on for a day and then rinse off and dry thoroughly. Molasses reverses the oxidation reaction that causes rust.

  6. alleywaykid says:

    Plain vinegar will remove all the rust overnight, though pitting and holes can’t be helped!

  7. I’m with the “fix it” school of thought here.

    Outdoors, it will rust. But you could line it with something, bury it, and use it as a planter. The liner will hold the moisture in and reduce the need for watering.

  8. Michael says:

    paint it with an environmentaly safe paint and use it for a composter in the backyard.

  9. Alex says:

    Hi,I’m doing an art piece and have been looking for a trach can just like that. Where did you get that?

  10. Alex says:

    trash* can

  11. Marc says:

    I’ll have it!!! it looks cool….

  12. Bertie says:

    Use it as a brazier or just to burn rubbish in neatly

  13. brittjo says:

    Use it as an outdoors trashcan to collect sticks and pinecones (for crafts of course!) before mowing the lawn.

    Place a cardboard round (like from a pizza box) under the trashcan to keep the rust off the floor.

    It might work as a planter if you fill half of it with large rocks. You’ll save some dirt and help it drain better.



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