CD Blossom: A flower collection made from recycled CDs - Green Diary - A comprehensive guide to sustainable hacks, green tips, and eco suggestions

Gone are the days of CDs and DVDs. Well, not quite. Although we don’t use them as extensively as we once did, CDs and DVDs are still there. In fact, if you do a little decluttering in your house, it won’t be a surprise if you run into a box full of old CDs. If you take decluttering seriously, the first thing that would come to your mind is to throw them out. It is a good option, as far as your own peace of mind is concerned, but not otherwise. Since CDs and DVDs don’t decompose they stay in landfills like literally forever. Therefore, the best option would be to do something creative using recycled CDs.

What exactly is a CD?

Compact Disc which we fondly address as a CD is used to store digital data. In this technology driven world this optical disc holds a very important place in our life. Its rainbow colored surface add a mystic charm and is capable of storing all the important information, songs, movies in short store any kind of data.But they are so delicate that a few scratches and they are fit to be thrown in a dust bin. People don’t even mind throwing a CD as it does not cost heavily on the pocket. Making good use of these discarded CD’s is Aditi Goenka. She is a textile designer by profession and a graduate from Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology Bangalore. In fact, she has given a whole new life to these cute looking discs. Furthermore, She has with her genuine and artistic efforts made these discarded CDs bloom and spread fragrance all around.

Why recycled CDs?

Aditi has crafted a collection of flowers using this waste, christened as CD Blossoms, which has the tendency to become obsolete soon. Since, they can break easily and once the data is transferred from them they practically serve no purpose. Every year countless numbers of CDs are disposed of off which add to the already piling junk and deteriorate the environment further.

The Creations

Using them in a sensible and eco-friendly manner like Aditi can make even an abandoned CD acceptable. The artist has crafted flowers in such an eye-appealing manner that they look real with all the fine details intact. Place them in any corner and see the magic they stir with their charming looks. She has beautifully mixed plastic fragility with the natural flora which makes the whole collection look so vivid. With the flowers Aditi has created from CDs, she has highlighted the fact that today’s world comes enveloped with plasticity and humans now-a-days appreciate virtual beauty more than the natural one. So, grab all the old recycled CDs that are catching dust and craft something useful out of them and become a planet lover.

Some More Creative ways of recycling old CDs and DVDs

1. Catch candle drips

You can give your candles an amazing and creatively designed stand. Make intelligent use of a CD for the same. One thing that you need to make sure is that the candle which you are using should be short in length, and has a base that will support it to stand easily. You should keep in mind that the candle base should be a little larger than the CD hole to fit into it. After fixing your candle, you just need to place the candle holder on a heat resistant surface.

2. Bike reflectors

You will love to flaunt your bikes by making it eye catchy and unique. Using a CD on your bicycle wheels can give your bike a different style. This change wonât be irresistible to look at and appreciate. Bike reflectors are easy to make. You just need to tape you CD to your bicycle wheels. These will work as great reflectors.

3. Flower holder

Many a times, you may not think of investing in a flower vase because it is not that easy to look for a vase that suits well with your home dÃ©cor. You can make an interesting flower holder with your CDâS. You just need to take a CD and put it over a glass of water. Make sure that you put the flower stems through the CD hole. The best part is that the shiny CD surface will act as a mirror to display the beautiful flowers.

4. Garden row markers

Your CD can make unique garden row makers. On the CD-Rom you can write the name of your vegetable using a permanent marker. Next you just need to place the CD on the ground. This will make clear and interesting classifications in your garden.

5. Bird treat

You might be following a routine of serving birds with food and water. This option will add beauty and creativity to it. Simply you need to coat your CD with peanut butter and dip the same into bird seed. This can easily be attached to the tree branch and will act as a great source of treat for the birds.

6. Clocks

Clock is a great option that can be made using a CD. Make an intelligent use of old CDâS to create funny clocks. These exciting clocks will add fun to your little oneâs room.

7. Wind chimes

Give a unique and colorful look to your home interiors using a CD as a wing chime. You might be amazed with this option, but it is not just an imagination. You just need to stick two CDâS together and let them dry. Next you need to drill holes such as one at the top and around six at the bottom of the CD. Let your creativity flow and give appropriate designs to your CD. For example hang beads, and use other decorative thing to make it a really attractive one. Hang them in your home and make it a unique place and a treat to watch.

8. A rainbow arc:

It’s an incredible way to add wonder to an ordinary life. Pick some of the recycled CDs that are anyway rotting in your cover. Put them on the windowsill or different small objects to get beautiful interference patters, refracted by the sun, on your ceiling.

If you desire to see a rainbow, you could tape some paper all over the CD and place it in an appropriate manner till you get the perfect shape. The best thing here is that it is not just a picture but also a real live rainbow. Make the proper position and when done effectively you get a magnificent VIBGYOR.

9. Contemporary windowsill:

Ever thought of a sparkling colourful windowsill hanging? You can make a contemporary one with a bunch of CDs. Take some CDs according to the width of your windowsill. Stack them up together and make a drill near the corner. Insert and pull out a strong and bright string from the bunch. Hold the string horizontally and put it up on top of the windowsill.

10. CD coasters:

First thing for a party you think of are drinks. Think of drinks, and you want funky coasters. The age-old traditional coasters are outdated. Why don’t create some cool ones? Not a hectic task- not a bulk of stuffs needed. Ever thought of converting the round CDs into round coasters? Paint or wrap up the recycled CDs with shiny or glossy materials (fabrics, rope, cloth, etc) to make it into an innovative one.

11. Welcoming walls:

You can try out this chic yet interesting thing for making your wall a funky one. You can make a curtain with fishing line with CDs pasted on it all over. Hang it in front of a wall or you can even put it up in the entrance door. This not only becomes a sparkling welcome to the guests but also gives a very different effect to the house while parties or even otherwise!