Don't Throw Out That Old Coffee Can. Use It For The Birds In Your Garden Instead

The three tenets of sustainability are reduce, reuse, and recycle, in that order. So, the next time you purchase coffee from the grocery store, look for ways to reuse the packaging before recycling. A great way to repurpose large coffee containers is to turn them into bird feeders to help the birds in your garden. Most everyone loves seeing birds when they go out to water their vegetable garden. They're beautiful to look at, and their songs can be quite pleasing to the ear. In addition, many birds help your garden by eating weed seeds and gobbling up pest insects.

One of the easiest ways to make a bird feeder out of a metal coffee tin is to cut its plastic lid in half, then trim an inch off the straight edge. Cut out the bottom of the can and glue the lid halves to either side, then rotate the can so it's on its side (with the lids on the bottom halves). For plastic containers, leave them upright, then cut a few medium-sized holes in the sides and fill with birdseed. Hang either wherever you want to see birds.

However, keep in mind that these coffee cans aren't really suited to be birdhouses, as they can overheat during hot weather and provide no insulation in the cold. Plastic also can release volatile compounds when it heats up, which is particularly bad for baby birds. There's a good reason most birdhouses are made of wood, but you can at least reuse old coffee tins as feeders.

One of the most important things to remember with these DIY projects is that these are not for nectar-hungry hummingbirds. These are meant for seed-eaters like finches or sparrows. Don't try to turn metal coffee cans into hummingbird feeders, since metal can easily rust from the moisture and sugar. Instead, consider planting sage to bring around hummingbirds when the season is right (and avoid leaving old fruit out for them).

After your feeders are done, inspect them regularly for rust, dirt, and mold. Dirty feeders are bad for the birds and can spread disease, so keeping them clean is important. Since moisture is a big contributor to mold and rust, consider drilling a few small holes in the bottom of your bird feeder to allow any water that makes its way in to drain out. Also, be sure to sweep up any fallen seed regularly (to discourage non-avian feeders). Reduce bird strike risk by placing the feeder within three feet of your window or more than 30 feet beyond it (or reduce bird-confusing reflectivity by putting screens or decals on windows).

Finally, if you're using a metal container, sand any edges you cut down well. Sharp edges can injure your new avian friends — and you, too. Even if you're working with plastic, ensure any edges are smooth, just to be safe. Aluminum oxide sandpaper is ideal for aluminum and steel cans, but typical sandpaper should be just fine for plastic.