Way back when I was a kid I learned how to make a pin cushion shaped like a fancy Easter hat. The original pattern called for a circle of cardboard as the base, hidden under the batting and calico cotton. I quickly figured out the a canning lid was the perfect size and was stronger than cardboard.

Okay, I no longer make the cute little pin cushions, I admit that. But it really killed me to drop those 'useful' used lids into the recycle bin each week.

Thank you for giving new life to my old lids. And the good news is that even after several years as plant markers they will still be a recyclable item.

Genius!

What a great idea. It isn't hard to tell from what generation I'm from. Recycle to me means finding another use for something rather than throwing it away.

I usually use the words 'reduce, re-use and re-cycle' meaning that I would first not buy something which would become unnecessary waste, re-use for the same purpose as originally intended (a book is a good example of re-use), and re-cycle meaning that it will go to the processing center to be made over into something else (office paper becomes toilet paper and aluminum cans become car engine parts).

Thanks to Rick Corey who is the master of re-purposing, I have learned to look at things to see for what other purpose they can be utilized. A new craft stick can be used as a plant maker, a piece of rebar can be a tree stake. Not the original intended purpose, but it works.

I am still working on 'up-cycling' but it is slow going...feels like I am riding a bicycle up a steep hill. I have taken old clothing and used the fabric to sew 'designer' bags which sold for a higher dollar amount than the original clothing. So I guess that's what up-cycling is. Up-cycling sounds like a win/win as it keeps things out of the landfill for a longer time period AND puts money in one's pocket...to buy more plants!

@Rick Corey, Please see the previous post. I forgot to put the @ symbol so you would see that I am talking about you! Only good things, of course.

What a great idea! I try to find ways to re-use things too.

TOTAL genius!

Hurt my heart to toss all those lids!

No more tossing!

Great idea - but what do,you use for marking. I have used permanent sharpies on my repurposed aluminum blinds (cut to be garden markers) but they fad before the season is over, right when I forget what kind of tomato I planted!

that the permanent markers fade too quickly for me as well.
Some people use different brands of paint pens; some use china markers/grease pens.

I used a permanent sharpie marker. Before I started using these in my garden I placed a couple of test labels outdoors for 9 months. They were just as legible at the end as they were at the beginning.