4 Ways to Recycle Old Plates

Posted on 23/01/2024

How to Recycle Old Plates

A collection of six decorative porcelain plates arranged in two rows on a plain white background. The top row features plates with floral patterns: the first has small blue flowers with a gold rim, the second displays pink flowers on a white background with a scalloped red border, and the third showcases purple and grey flowers with a delicate gold edge. The bottom row includes plates with more intricate designs: the first has a faint pink floral motif with a subtle embossed pattern and a scalloped edge, the second features a central pink rose surrounded by ornate grey scrollwork with a gold rim, and the third displays a cluster of purple flowers with green leaves and a gold outer edge. The setting appears minimalist, emphasizing the fine details and delicate finishes of each plate, which could be considered for private waste handling or alternative collection methods when repurposing or preparing items for rubbish removal by services like Big Ben.

After years of heavy use, plates get worn, scratched, and broken. You favourite sets end up mismatched and eventually new plates replace the old ones. Simply because your crockery has outlived its original purpose it does not mean it should just be tossed into the waste disposal unit. Plates can be recycled into many handy things, from spectacular wall art to brand new serving accessories. Broken tableware can even be incorporated in beautiful mosaics, instead of deemed useless ending up in the junk disposal bin. Find out how to turn your old dishes into stunning new items.

repurposing plates

Plate Mirrors

Your house clearance left you with a pile of chipped or cracked platters? Fear not! You can easily transform them into gorgeous decorative mirror frame.

1.    Measure the perimeter of the central part of the platter and cut the mirror accordingly.
2.    Add a thin layer of glue on the outer edge of the mirror.
3.    Put the mirror in the centre of the plate and press down. Let it sit overnight.
4.    Fasten a plate hanger at the back of the dish.
5.    Use a hook or nail to hang it.
6.    Arrange with other wall art and hang the mirror platter on the wall.

A close-up of an ornate oval-shaped mirror with a decorative bronze frame featuring intricate leaf patterns and beaded detailing along the edge, placed on a light-colored surface. Reflecting clearly in the mirror are two silver rings, one with a prominent diamond, indicating jewelry, positioned in the center of the mirror's reflective surface. Surrounding the mirror are small, round, polished gemstones or beads with a glossy finish and reddish-brown coloration, some resting on the surface and a few leaning against the mirror's frame, adding a decorative touch. The lighting is soft and natural, creating slight highlights and shadows that accentuate the textures of the metallic frame and the smooth, shiny surfaces of the beads. The scene appears to be an indoor setting, possibly a bedroom or vanity area, emphasizing the importance of personal items and the potential for decluttering or rubbish removal from the space. Big Ben's rubbish services could assist in clearing such personal clutter efficiently while handling old or unwanted decorative items.

Mosaic Table Top

Don’t be too quick to call the clearance company and to throw away the broken plates. You can actually use them to make a beautiful mosaic table top.

1.    Separate the broken plate parts into big chunks, good flat pieces, and tiny bits.
2.    Attach the pieces to the table top by using tile adhesive. Start by placing the larger pieces on the edge and add some big pieces in the middle.
3.    Then push the chunks down until they sink into the cement. If some of your pieces don’t fit, just crack them to get the perfect size.
4.    Fill the gaps with grout and grout float.
5.    Wipe off the excess and let it dry for a day.
6.     Finish up the plate mosaic by applying a wipe-on sealant.

A tiled outdoor patio scene features a round white table with mosaic-style tile patterns in shades of blue, green, and terracotta, on which two ceramic coffee mugs are placed; one mug is bright blue, and the other is vivid green. Behind the table, a decorative wrought iron chair with a curved backrest and an intricate mosaic-style circular design in blue and terracotta tiles is visible. The background includes a swimming pool with clear turquoise water, and a wooden lattice screen with potted plants, suggesting a relaxing outdoor space dedicated to leisure and informal gatherings. The lighting appears natural, creating a soft, inviting atmosphere that emphasizes the vibrant colours of the mugs and mosaic tiles, while aligning with the context of private outdoor areas where rubbish or waste removal might be managed by an independent collection service like Big Ben.

Tiered Trays

This is a quick and easy project suitable for both children and adults. The DIY tiered trays are a cheap alternative to the expensive serving accessories and a great way to utilize the old plates destined for the junk disposal unit.

You will need random porcelain plates with different size, painters or masking tape, cake tier hardware, ceramic or tile bits, power drill, pen or pencil and a ruler. Let’s get started.

1.    Turn the plate over and use the ruler to find the centre. Mark it with a piece of tape.
2.    Drill a hole in each plate with a special ceramic bit. Bonus tip: put a roll of tape under the plate to elevate the plate and to prevent damaging the surface underneath.
3.    Once you are done drilling the holes, assemble the tires by using the hardware.
4.    If you feel that one of the tires is a little unstable, stick rubber or cork stoppers on the bottom.
5.    Fill it with delicious desserts and enjoy!

A two-tiered serving stand holding a selection of dessert cakes on the top and finger sandwiches on the bottom, set on a white tablecloth. The dessert cakes include small, round, layered slices with caramel and chocolate toppings, and sponge cake with yellow icing. The finger sandwiches are made with white bread, neatly cut into small rectangles, filled with ingredients such as lettuce, cucumber, and thinly sliced meats. Surrounding the stand are empty white plates, a teacup with tea, and a glass of water, indicating a formal afternoon tea setting. In the background, a blurred glimpse of a potted plant adds a touch of greenery. This scene exemplifies a typical setting for a social gathering or event that involves light refreshments, often associated with private or on-site gatherings, which could be part of an alternative approach to waste management by choosing reusable tableware instead of disposable items. Big Ben’s approach to rubbish removal aligns with such environmentally conscious practices by supporting proper disposal and recycling of waste materials generated during such occasions.

Bird Feeder

If you have a bowl and dish that no longer belong to a certain set, don’t immediately think about waste disposal; transform them into a crafty bird feeder. Luckily, you don’t need a whole lot of supplies and it will take no time to do it. The tricky part of this project is drilling the holes because the bowl and the plate may crack. To avoid that, pick a block of scrap wood and put it directly under the place you are drilling.

1.    Find the centre of the plate and the bowl and drill a hole.
2.     Once you drilled the holes in centre of the dishes, you need assemble the pieces.
3.    Put a washer fastener on a large carriage bolt and bring up the bolt trough the bottom of the bowl.
4.    Secure the washers around the bowl with glue. You should tackle it in the following order – washer, glue, bowl, glue and washer.
5.    Thread a nut few inches down, where your dish will sit.
6.    Put the plate on the nut and then thread under nut. The dish should sit between two nuts.
7.    Place another nut and washer on the bolt.
8.    You will need two pieces of nylon cord 2 feet long each.
9.    Start by making a simple overhand knot with each cord piece. Proceed by tying a crown sinnet knot over the washer’s top.
10.    Make a loop that will serve to hang the bird feeder and with the remaining cord tie a knot around the base.
11.    Fill the bowl with bird seed and hang outside!

A white ceramic teacup with a curved handle and a matching saucer, both featuring delicate blue floral and ornamental patterns, placed on a light-colored surface. The teacup and saucer are positioned in the foreground, with several potted plants behind them. The plants include a leafy green shrub in a terracotta pot and another pot with less visible vegetation. In the background, there is a shallow, round dish or tray holding brown pinecones, creating a natural, garden-like setting. The scene is well-lit with soft, natural light, emphasizing the glossy finish of the ceramics and the textures of the plants. The overall environment suggests an indoor or sheltered outdoor space used for relaxation or decorative purposes, with a subtle hint at domestic waste handling and recycling themes through the presence of various containers and the tidy arrangement of objects, consistent with the services offered by Big Ben's rubbish removal team.

As you can see, you shouldn’t just chuck old plates into the garbage disposal bin. If you have some spare time, turn your waste into useful and pretty household items! Otherwise, you should probably turn to clearance services to take them off your hands.

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A collection of old ceramic plates stacked and leaning against each other on a paved driveway or outdoor surface, with some exhibiting visible cracks and chipped edges that indicate age or previous use. The plates vary in color, including shades of white, cream, and light beige, with glazed finishes that give them a smooth, shiny appearance. The spatial arrangement shows the plates in the foreground, with a mix of upright, tilted, and overlapping positions, suggesting an ongoing process of collection or disposal. Surrounding the plates are glimpses of the outdoor environment, possibly a residential or commercial setting, with concrete or stone paving underneath. A large van or waste removal vehicle is partially visible in the background, implying the involvement of an independent rubbish collection or waste management service, such as Big Ben, in handling bulky or fragile waste items. The scene conveys an environment of on-site clearance or private waste handling, aligning with alternative rubbish removal options for disposing of household items like old plates in a professional manner, ready for transport to recycling or disposal facilities.
Rob Ryan

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