Recycle leftovers
Turn kitchen leftovers into compost and simple recycled crafts, sort materials, learn decomposition, and make seed starters or art from reuse.
About this activity
Turn kitchen leftovers into compost and simple recycled crafts, sort materials, learn decomposition, and make seed starters or art from reuse.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Gather all the materials from the list and set them on a table so you can reach everything easily.
- 2
Step 2
Sort your kitchen leftovers into three piles labeled Compostable Recyclable and Trash and make sure no meat or dairy go into the compostable pile.
- 3
Step 3
Tear the cardboard or shredded paper into small pieces to make brown material for the compost jar.
- 4
Step 4
Cut or chop green scraps like fruit peels and vegetable bits into small pieces with adult help so they break down faster.
- 5
Step 5
Put a layer of potting soil about two fingers deep into the bottom of the clear jar using your spoon or trowel.
- 6
Step 6
Add a thin layer of the torn cardboard pieces on top of the soil to make the brown layer.
- 7
Step 7
Add a thin layer of the chopped green scraps on top of the cardboard layer.
- 8
Step 8
Spray or sprinkle a little water so the layers are damp but not soggy.
- 9
Step 9
Cover the jar loosely with its lid or a breathable cloth so air can get in while keeping bugs out.
- 10
Step 10
Place the jar on a tray in a warm bright spot and check it once a week to watch and smell how it changes.
- 11
Step 11
Cut the egg carton into single cups with scissors using adult help so you have little planters.
- 12
Step 12
Fill each egg carton cup with potting soil using your spoon or trowel.
- 13
Step 13
Press one or two seeds into the soil in each cup so the seeds are touching the soil.
- 14
Step 14
Water each cup lightly so the soil feels just moist and then decorate the cups with colouring materials or twine.
- 15
Step 15
Share your finished compost jar and seed starters on DIY.org.
Fun facts
How do I turn kitchen leftovers into compost and recycled crafts with my child?
Start by sorting leftovers into compostable and recyclable piles. For compost, use a small bin or tumbler, layer brown materials (shredded paper, dry leaves) with green scraps (fruit and vegetable peels), keep it slightly moist and turn it weekly to aerate. For seed starters and crafts, clean containers like egg cartons or yogurt pots, fill with potting mix, press seeds in, or use paper and fabric scraps for collage art while observing decomposition over time.
What materials do I need for composting, sorting, seed starters, and recycled crafts?
Gather a compost bin or lidded bucket, a countertop scrap container, and brown matter (shredded paper, dry leaves). Collect safe scraps like fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds; avoid meat, dairy, and oily foods. For crafts and seed starters, use egg cartons, empty yogurt cups, toilet-paper rolls, potting mix, seeds, scissors, non-toxic glue and paints, labels, gloves, a small trowel, and a spray bottle to moisten soil and compost.
What ages is this leftovers-recycling activity suitable for?
This activity suits many ages: toddlers (2–4) can sort scraps and press soil into seed cups with close supervision; preschoolers (4–6) assemble seed starters and make simple crafts; elementary kids (7–11) can manage a small compost bin, measure layers, and lead art projects; teens can design experiments and run systems. Always supervise sharp tools, teach hygiene around food waste, and adapt tasks to each child’s attention and motor skills.
What are the benefits and safety tips for turning leftovers into compost and recycled crafts?
Benefits include hands-on lessons about decomposition, improved gardening skills, reduced household waste, creativity, and responsibility. Safety tips: never compost meat or dairy, avoid oily or moldy scraps, wash hands after handling waste, supervise scissors and small pieces, and wear gloves when turning compost. For indoor seed starters, ensure good sunlight, proper drainage, and transplant seedlings carefully to protect roots.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use instead of a clear jar or potting soil if those are hard to find?
If you don't have a clear jar, use a clean clear plastic bottle or transparent food container so you can still watch the compost layers form, and if you lack potting soil mix garden soil with a little sand and shredded paper to fill the jar and egg-carton cups.
What should we do if the compost jar gets soggy, smells bad, or mold appears?
If the jar becomes soggy or smelly, remove the lid, add more torn cardboard or shredded paper as dry brown layers, gently mix with the spoon to aerate, and reduce how much water you spray so the layers stay damp but not soggy.
How can we adapt the steps for younger children or older kids who want more challenge?
For preschoolers have them sort leftovers into the three labeled piles and press seeds into the egg-carton cups while an adult chops scraps and uses scissors, and for older kids let them chop scraps with supervision, layer the jar themselves, and keep a weekly observation log of changes.
How can we enhance or personalize the compost jar and seed starters once they're set up?
Decorate and label each egg-carton cup with seed names and dates, try different seeds to compare sprouting, and when seedlings have roots transplant them into larger pots while continuing to add safe kitchen scraps to the compost jar to watch it mature.