Zero Waste Week - 3 Ways to Upcycle Paint Tin Cans

If we have delivered a product to you, you will know that we have a packaging web page that talks about the packaging materials we use to get the item safely to you and how you can recycle it. What about the container the product comes in though? Here are 3 awesome ways you can upcycle or reuse empty paint tin cans.

Paint Tin Tester Pots make Handy Storage Containers

We have a lot of Farrow & Ball tester tins in the old brand style (they were part of a marketing display). We just couldn't stand the idea of putting them into the recycling stream. 

These little paint sample pots have gradually been appearing on our office desks as handy storage containers. I suspect a few will end up in the warehouse  too (sometimes it feels like a bit of a man cave out there) for storing random (but useful) nails, nuts, washers and bolts - general garage workshop type things.

We could of course paint the tins, but at the moment we like the retro look of these paint tester pots tidying up little items.

Upcycled Plant Pots from Empty Paint Tins

(Colour: Earthborn Peach Baby)

A very pretty way to use up left over paint and to upcycle the paint tin at the same time is to paint the last bits of paint over the outside of the tin and to make a decorative plant pot. Here the clever people at Earthborn have upcycled empty tester paint pots to make plant pots. 

You will need:

• Empty paint tin, and if not empty an airtight container to decant the left-over paint into
• Paint brush
• Compost (the best type of compost/grit for your plant)
• Plant(s)

How to make a paint tin planter:

1. Empty your left-over paints into airtight separate containers
2. Remove any labels
3. Wash the used steel tins with appropriate cleaning materials
4. Paint a unique collection of pots*
5. Leave to dry overnight
6. Fill with a mix of quality compost and a bit of grit for drainage
7. They’re now ready to house your favourite plants!

*Some paints will stick to the metal better than others, so experiment a little first.

If you are concerned that the your plant may not have enough drainage in these upcycled plant pots, then you can put some holes in the bottom of the tin and use a plant tray under your pot. 

If you are concerned that the steel pot will go rusty over time, do as we have done in the office here and put the entire pot in another container (in our instance an empty peanut butter container - labels removed) so that any rust spots won't show.

DecorativeTealight (or Votive) Candle Holder

We wondered how easy it would be to turn a paint tin can into a decorative tealight holder so we gave it a try. It turns out it's really quite easy! The metal for a paint tin is thicker than a food tin can (that you may have seen votive candle holder instructions for online), but the principles are the same.

You will need:

• Empty paint tin(s), and if not empty an airtight container to decant the left-over paint into
• Hammer
• Nail(s)
• Pliers (just incase)
• Wooden Spoon
• Tealights
• Lighter

How to make a paint tin decorative tealight (or votive) candle holder:

1. Empty your left-over paints into airtight separate containers
2. Remove any labels
3. Wash the used steel tins with appropriate cleaning materials
4. Work out your design
5. Carefully hit nail against (and into) the tin. Tip: A range of nail diameters will give different sized holes.
6. Complete you design (don't worry if the tin dents)
7. Use the handle end of an old wooden spoon to push the tin back into shape (from the inside)

Since we first published this article, we have had these great tips from Sue B, she says;

"if you sand paint tins you can make them all silvery without the labeling. If you fill them with water and put in the freezer, they are solid, making them easier to punch the holes in the sides. Then thaw and tip the water away. Wire twisted around the top can be made to hang them up."

Other ideas for using up left over paint

Inspiration about what else to do with left over paint and how to dispose of paint responsibly can be found on this blog post: What to do with leftover Paint. 

You might also find this blog post interesting: 6 Thrifty Uses for Leftover Insulation.