Reusable and recyclable items around the house can be transformed into delightful ornaments and holiday gifts.

Michael O’Keefe, Recycling Branch chief for the city’s Refuse Division, works with Honolulu Theatre for Youth each holiday season to create new craft projects using bottle caps, cans and other things that would normally end up in the landfill.

“Our partnership with HTY has proven to be a great way to educate Oahu’s youth on the importance of recycling and proper waste management in our island community,” O’Keefe said.

The partnership began in 2010 and the recycled projects were distributed at HTY performances and during the touring production of “Sort It Out,” a performance-based workshop that visits 20 schools each year.

“Our message reaches about 20,000 students, educators and families, annually.”

BOTTLE CAP SNOWMEN ORNAMENTS

Materials:

>> Bottle caps

>> White acrylic paint (spray or liquid)

>> Paintbrushes

>> Black and orange markers

>> Ribbon

>> Hot glue gun or craft glue

>> Buttons

>> Scissors

Instructions:

1. Paint the inside and outside of each bottle cap white. A few coats may be needed (let paint dry between coats). If you use white plastic bottle caps, this step can be skipped.

2. Use fine tip markers to draw eyes, nose,mouth and buttons on your snowman. You can also use real buttons.

3. Glue three bottle caps to a piece of ribbon. Form a loop with the top of the ribbon and glue in place.

4. Tie a ribbon or yarn between the first and second bottle caps to make a scarf. Add a button if you like.

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SPRUCED-UP SPAM CAN

Materials:

>> Empty Spam can

>> Craft glue

>> Construction, wrapping or scrap paper, or felt (3-by-12-inches)

>> Decorations

Instructions:

1. Start with a clean, empty Spam can.

2. Apply glue along the bottom edge of the paper and wrap around the can.

3. Glue shorter edges together.

4. Decorate with bottle caps, Popsicle sticks, ribbon or anything else you can find.