The world consumes over 200 billion aluminium cans each year
The thing is,
these cans can provide a good raw material
for those who are kinda thrifty or creative
You can seriously find something clever to do with
every part of the aluminium can
so the next time when you're finishing of that soda
save the can and think about these hacks
Do you have an art piece that you love to hang
but it seems impossible without the necessary acceriories
create a makeshift hook
with the pop tab in less than one minute
Carefully remove the tab from the soda can
by holding it up and bending it down
Just choose a central spot on the back to place the tab
You can screw directly into the back
and anchor with the bottom hole of the tab
or just slowly drill the screw throgh the tab into the back
Now you can anchor that artwork over the top hole of the tab
using a nail, screw or a thumbtack
If you're in a bind and you don't have a vegetable peeler
well, hey, we have a solution for you
using the top of a soda can
which is surprisingly stronger than the rest of it
Start by carefully cutting out the top portion of the can
with either a can opener or a sharp tool
Now just remove both tabs by bending back and forth
until they release
Bend the aluminium can a little bit
Make it a little bit more friendly for your hands
And then bend the part of the lid
where you normally drink from as well
Now you can easily peel fruits and vegetables
or anything else that needs a quick peeling
This trick is especially handy
when you're out camping
and you don't have a dedicated vegetable peeler
You don't need a popcorn maker
or microwave to make popcorn
In fact, if you have a few empty soda cans
and a sharp tool
a heat source
and, hey, a few kernels
and some oil
You're in luck!
Start by carefully cutting out most of a rectangle
leaving just the upper middle portion intact
so you can bend what's left outwards as a popcorn deflector
Add some oil
and a few tablespoons of popcorn kernels to the bottom
And take that second can and carefully cut it in half
Create a burner using the top-half
by creating two squares out of the sides
and that allow air circulation of a heat source
Place the top of the second can above the flame
and stack the first can above it
Just go ahead and place a bowl near the opening
to catch most the popcorn as it pops out
Give the heat a few minutes
to warm up the oil in the kernels
Your patience will reward you
Now this method may not be your first choice
but desperate times call for desperate measures
And it's possible that this might become
your most 'POP'ular choice
Now here's an old trick that you might had learnt in grade school
If not, prepare to have your mind blown
You can try as hard as you want to balance a empty can
but it's too top-heavy on its own
Next time either save the last few ounces
or add a little bit of water at the bottom
When you tilt the can
liquid at the bottom balances at the same angle as the bottom edge
Making you looks like the next David Copperfield
or at least a half-right magician
Drinking sodas straight out at the can
isn't good for your teeth
so it's a good thing that straws exist
Or is it?
There's a method behind the madness
After you crack open your soda
avoid your straw stuck up in your nostrills
by spinning the tab around over the open hole
It's actually meant to hold your strong place so sip on that one
If you recycle cans or save them for the scrapyard
and like to conserve space quick and easy
build yourself a can crusher
Now there is some really elaborate ways to go about this
but the basic one will get the job done
All your need are two equal size pieces of two by four
We cut ours to 16 inches each
or roughly 40 cm
Other than lumber
you'll need a handle
two strap hinges
some screws
two mending plates
two jar lids
and some tools
And it sounds like a lot
bear with me
First, line up the two strap hinges side by side
and evenly apart and fasten them with screws
Then grab two jar lids that are roughly the same in size
Now their diameter only needs to be large enough
to fit the base of the can
Pick a spot near the opposite end of the hinges
and drill in the lids with one screw and washer each
They really don't even have to line up perfectly to function
but we do want our lids to overlap
so we mark some spots before drilling
For convenience and a little bit easier operation
add a handle to the opposite end from the hinges
Finally it's time to do some crushing
Add a canon top of the bottom lid
Make sure everything is lined up
and apply some elbow grease
If you arm gets tired from bulk smashing
you can always resort to stompping
However you will find this safer and more efficient
There is countless ways to upcycle aluminium cans
With over 6700 cans used every second world-wide
you have plenty to choose form
Let us know your favourite uses in the comment
And as always, thanks for watching
And we'll see you next time