With all the trash accumulated each day it was bound to happen. Some person, somewhere was bound to find a way to turn some of that trash into treasure. Actually, with everyone going green these days, there are some wonderful treasures out there that started as someone's trash. Everyone is getting into the act from individuals to large corporations, to entire city planners.

Individual Treasures

People who enjoy doing craft projects learned a long time ago, that using trash was a simple and cheap way to create wonderful gifts and decorations for the home. From quilts and braided rugs made from scraps of old clothing to lamps made from large glass jars and buttons individuals have used their imagination to create wonderful crafts from every day trash.

It is no longer unusual to see beautiful and funny Christmas ornaments made from burned out light bulbs, or coasters made from CDs. Anyone who enjoys crafts can find a way to recycle trash to make interesting and eye catching decorations.

Recycled Material Used for Playground Equipment and Playground Safety Measures

Recycled plastic milk containers and other plastics are being used in the manufacturing of playground equipment. These sturdy equipment sets are used in schools and residential playgrounds across the county.

In Bloomfield NW a pile of recycled tires have been dyed a deep blue and forms the base of an entire children's playground to help prevent serious injuries should a child slide down the slide too fast or take a tumble.

Trash for Energy

For years animal waste has been used as fertilizer on farms and in gardens and now it is being turned into sources of fuel.

The latest fuel source from trash though comes from the landfills themselves. When landfill waste decomposes it releases a gas known as methane that is poisonous. Companies have now found a way to purify this gas into a fuel know as LFG (landfill gas). In California LFG is being used to fuel 300 garbage trucks as they go about their daily business of collecting garbage.

Trashy Art

Artists are now making use of trash to make beautiful sculptures. In Tuckaho State Park there is a lovely serpent sculpture made entirely out of recycles tires. Other sculptures include a gleaming silver bull made entirely out of car parts, a centipede made from bunt cake pans, and a giant skull made from various kitchen utensils.

These sculptures are not only turning trash into treasures but giving cities some great public art in the process.

Mount Trashmore

Perhaps one of the finest examples of how imagination can turn trash into treasure is a park in Virginia Beach, Virginia known as Mount Trashmore. This entire park is made from a landfill. Where once piles of garbage marred the landscape there is a 165 acre park where families come to enjoy picnics, children play on the playground, joggers can exercise, and fisherman can enjoy a day on one of the two beautiful lakes.

This park that was once an eyesore to the city of Virginia Beach is now their pride and joy.

When people puts their minds to it they can do almost anything and turning our trash into treasure not only helps the environment but can add beauty to our lives.