They’re there, discreet, often ignored. We mechanically tear them off to access our favorite beverage, then throw them away. Yet, these little aluminum strips hold much more potential than we think. Behind their apparent banality lies surprising creative and practical potential. You’ll never look at these metal strips the same way again…
A small piece of metal, but a real feat
A can’s ring isn’t just a piece of aluminum. It’s made from a special alloy , combining aluminum, magnesium, and sometimes other metals. This composition makes it both lightweight and strong. The result: it’s strong enough to open a pressurized can, but also malleable enough to be reworked. It might be likened to a particularly strong paperclip, designed to punch holes in steel, yet still be easy to handle.
Reusing at home: practical ideas to try
Rather than ending up in the trash, these tabs can be transformed into useful everyday objects . Here is a selection of tried and tested tips:
Optimize space in your closets
By inserting a tab into the hook of one hanger, you can hang a second hanger on it. This doubles the capacity of a closet without investing in expensive hardware.
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