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DCL
Sixty-five billion aluminum soda cans are used in the United States each year. Recycling is always a good option, but upcycling soda cans into something you can use is better.
Planet Green contributors have all sorts of posted projects made with soda cans, including DIY plant markers, solar heating panels, earrings, and even chain maille made from soda tabs.
But Craftster member RaraAvis (real name: Caitlin) has come up with a chic way to make the most of soda cans: She designed a purse made from the colorful aluminum for her AP art portfolio when she was in high school, and she's since posted the step-by-step tutorial on Craftster.
Making the purse is as simple as creating a template for the sides, cutting the aluminum cans, piecing them together with staples and wire, and then lining the bag with a heavy material, such as a vinyl or even a thick upholstery fabric.
Caitlin's bag is a mosaic of small squares and rectangles pieced together, but you could easily use larger sections of cans to make assembly easier. Whatever design you go for, this bag is sure to be a one-of-a-kind hit.
