• Repurpose cans as practical storage containers for your home.PhotoObjects.net/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images
  
  Refurbishing steel or aluminum tins --- often used to store foodstuffs like coffee, soups, vegetables and fruits --- to create practical everyday items is both eco-friendly and fun. Although these items can be recycled at your local recycling plant, the containers are often quite sturdy, and lend themselves well to being reused. This can mean a great craft project for you or your kids, and your ingenuity in creating these practical household items will also help save you a few extra bucks.
  
  

Storage Containers

• Tins of all shapes and sizes are the ideal storage containers for household items. Use a soup can as a cup for pens and pencils at your home desk or office. Coffee tins could be used to house larger items like paintbrushes, kitchen utensils or a bank for spare change. Small tins that originally housed candy or small items like sardines can be used for storage of small items like jewelry, guitar picks, hair pins or items in your purse, like keys, spare change or lip balm.
  
  

Flowerpots

• Larger tins and cans can be refurbished as flowerpots and planters in your home or yard. Remove the labels and packaging and decorate the tins with paints, glitters and craft accessories like pipe cleaners. Remember to poke holes in the bottom of the tins to ensure water can soak through the entire pot.
  
  

Holiday Containers

• Reuse large tins during your holiday gift-giving by making a gift tin containing multiple small gifts. You can decorate and add flair using ribbons and tissue paper. Larger tins like coffee canisters are ideal for cookies and treats that you are gifting to your friends and family. Don't forget to thoroughly clean the containers before repurposing them for gifts.
  
  

Safety Containers

• Wrap old tins and cans in reflective tape or coat them in reflective paint to create a practical safety canister that you can keep in the trunk of the car and use in the event of an accident or emergency at night to alert other drivers of your presence. You can also include survival items like flashlights, space blankets, bottled water and foodstuffs inside the canister, so it serves double duty in case of an emergency.