Maya Ellison
There are many ways to dispose of an old plastic suitcase sustainably. You could donate it to a charity, shelter, or foster care program, or repurpose it as a pet bed, storage box, or coffee table. If you want to recycle it, you can separate its parts and confirm that your local facility accepts the materials. Alternatively, you can use a take-back service, such as TerraCycle, which will separate and recycle the different components for you.
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What You'll Learn
Donate it to a charity, shelter, or foster care program
Donating your old plastic suitcase to a charity, shelter, or foster care program is a great way to give back to your community and ensure your suitcase continues to be useful. Many individuals who enter shelters or foster care programs only have trash bags to carry their belongings, so donating your suitcase can make a big difference in someone's life.
To get started, search online for nearby foster care agencies, emergency shelters, or local charities that accept suitcase donations. Examples of organizations that may accept donations include Suitcases for Kids, Luggage of Love, Bags4Kids, Hope in a Suitcase, Vietnam Veterans of America, and Goodwill. Be sure to contact the organization in advance to confirm that they are currently accepting suitcase donations.
If you're unable to find a local organization, you can also try searching on social media platforms like Facebook for groups or non-profits that could benefit from your donation. Additionally, some thrift stores like Goodwill and The Salvation Army accept donations of goods which they then sell to fund their charitable activities.
Before donating, it's a good idea to give your suitcase a quick clean and ensure that any handles, zippers, or wheels are in good working condition. By taking the time to donate your old plastic suitcase, you can help reduce waste and provide a useful item to someone in need.
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Upcycle it into a pet bed, coffee table, or bar cart
If you have an old plastic suitcase lying around, you can upcycle it into a pet bed, coffee table, or bar cart. Here's how:
Pet Bed
To turn your old suitcase into a pet bed, start by elevating it with furniture legs. Use pliers to remove any existing hanger bolts from the legs, turn the suitcase upside down, and determine where the legs will go. Mark the spots, and pre-drill holes for the lag screws. Screw the legs into the suitcase and place a pillow inside for your pet to lounge on. You can also add rubber pads to the bottom of the legs to prevent the bed from sliding on smooth surfaces.
Coffee Table
To create a unique coffee table, you'll need a sturdy base, such as a small wooden side table or a metal plant stand. Flip your suitcase so that the handle faces you and the top side is downward. Place the wooden frame with the table legs (shortened to the appropriate height) on top of the suitcase, ensuring they are evenly positioned. Mark the placement with tape or a pencil. Remove the table legs, apply epoxy glue to the wooden frame, and place it back on the suitcase, lining it up with your markings. Hold it in place while the glue dries, and then add L-shaped brackets with screws for extra stability.
Bar Cart
To transform your old suitcase into a roving bar cart, follow Dane Holweger's 12-step process, which includes using plywood, aluminum corner channels, casters, nails, and screws. Don't forget to fill your new bar cart with mini bottles of your favorite beverages!
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Use it as a storage box for out-of-season items
If you have an old plastic suitcase lying around, you can give it a new lease of life by using it as a storage box for out-of-season items. This is a great way to make use of something that might otherwise end up in landfill and it's also a chance to get creative.
First things first, give your old suitcase a good clean. If it's been sitting in storage for a while, it might have accumulated dirt, scuff marks or stains. Take it outside and give it a good scrub with some soapy water and a soft nylon brush. For any hard-to-reach crevices, an old toothbrush will do the trick. Once you're satisfied with the outside, rinse the suitcase with hose water and leave it to dry in the sun.
If the inside of your suitcase is looking a little worse for wear, you might want to rip out the fabric until you get down to the cardboard or wood foundation. You can then choose to leave it as it is or get creative by decoupaging the inside with old book pages or vintage paper.
Now that your suitcase is clean and refreshed, it's time to fill it up. Out-of-season clothing and blankets are a great option, as are any other items you don't need easy access to. You could also use it to store photos, kids' toys or even off-season bedding.
Your newly repurposed suitcase can be stored in a variety of places. It could be stacked with other suitcases in a dead-end corner, or you could take advantage of the handle and hang it from a hook. If you're short on space, it could also be used as a space-saving side table next to your bed or sofa.
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Recycle it through a company like TerraCycle
If you're looking to recycle an old plastic suitcase, one option is to send it to a company like TerraCycle, which offers a consumer-waste recycling program. TerraCycle has its own luggage and travel bag recycling program, where you can purchase a Zero Waste Box to ship your old suitcase to them for recycling. While this option may not be the cheapest, with small boxes starting at around $89, it can be a convenient way to ensure your old suitcase is properly recycled.
When you purchase a TerraCycle Zero Waste Box, it will be delivered to your home. You can then place your old plastic suitcase in the box and send it back to TerraCycle using the prepaid shipping label. TerraCycle will then take care of the rest of the recycling process for you. They will separate the different materials in the suitcase, such as metals, fibers, plastics, and fabrics, and recycle them. This saves you the time and effort of having to disassemble the suitcase yourself and figure out how to recycle each individual component.
The materials collected by TerraCycle are sorted based on their characteristics and composition using various sorting technologies. Once sorted, the materials are cleaned and then sent to third-party partners who process them into usable forms. The recycled raw materials are then sold to manufacturing companies that produce new products, completing the recycling journey.
By using a service like TerraCycle, you can ensure that your old plastic suitcase is responsibly recycled and given a new life. This helps to reduce waste and contribute to a more sustainable future. Additionally, it can be a convenient option if you don't have the time or resources to disassemble the suitcase and recycle each component separately through your local recycling facilities.
When considering recycling your old plastic suitcase, it's important to also explore other options, such as donating or repurposing the suitcase. Donating your suitcase to charities, shelters, or foster care programs can give it a new lease of life and directly help those in need. Similarly, with some creativity, your old suitcase can be repurposed into something new, such as a pet bed, storage box, or even a unique coffee table.
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Revitalise it by cleaning and decorating it for display
If you want to revitalise your old plastic suitcase by cleaning and decorating it for display, there are several ways to go about it. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Cleaning
First, give your suitcase a good clean to remove any stains, scuff marks, or tears it may have accumulated over the years. Depending on the existing finish, you can use sandpaper or acetone to prepare the surface for painting. Just be cautious when using acetone, as it can dissolve plastic. Vacuum away any dust, and clean off any residue.
Painting
Now, it's time to get creative! If you're feeling artistic, sketch or draw a design on your iPad or another digital device, and then print it out in full size or in sections that you can tape together. You can also use graphite transfer paper to trace your design directly onto the suitcase.
Once you're happy with your design, use transfer paper to redraw the image onto the suitcase, being mindful of colour contrast. You can then start painting! Spray paint is a good option for plastic suitcases, but be sure to mask off any areas you don't want to get painted. You can also use fabric paint, acrylic paint, or 3D paint to add texture and creativity to your design. If you're painting fabric, be sure to smooth the paint before it dries to avoid scratchy points.
To add even more detail to your design, try cutting out shapes from thin felt and gluing them onto the suitcase. For extra durability, hand sew around the edges of the felt appliques using a whip stitch or blanket stitch.
Finally, apply a protection coat of Angelus acrylic matte finisher or a spray sealer to protect your artwork and ensure its longevity.
Decorating with Photos
If you're not keen on painting, another option is to decorate your suitcase with printed photos. Using Mod Podge, you can transform your old suitcase into a personal photo gallery or a vintage photo album. This method allows you to showcase your favourite memories, snapshots from your travels, or family gatherings. It's a fun way to give your suitcase a personal touch and make it a conversation starter.
With a bit of creativity and some basic supplies, you can easily revitalise your old plastic suitcase and turn it into a unique piece of display!
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Frequently asked questions
Old suitcases can be used as storage, such as for off-season bedding, photos, or toys. They can also be used as a side table or a coffee table. Other creative ways to repurpose an old suitcase include turning it into a welcome sign, a roving bar cart, or a bed for a pet.
Before recycling, it is recommended to first check if the suitcase is still usable and donate it to charities, shelters, or foster care programs if it is. If not, separate the different components of the suitcase, such as the plastic, fabric, metal zippers, and handles, and confirm that a local facility accepts these materials. Alternatively, you can use a luggage recycling program such as TerraCycle, which will separate and recycle the different components of the suitcase for you.
Some brands that offer eco-friendly suitcases include Samsonite, Horizn Studios, John Lewis, IKEA, and Patagonia. These brands use recycled materials, such as water bottles, and have take-back programs and recycling initiatives.
Avoid throwing your old suitcase into the landfill as it will contribute to carbon emissions. Instead, consider donating it or recycling it using the methods mentioned above.
