We all have some old T-shirts lying around gathering dust (or lint, rather), but instead of tossing them, it’s worth considering the multitude of ways you can repurpose your old shirts. Below are just a few creative DIY ways to engage the “reduce” side of the three R’s.

Make your own dust rags (kaylnbrooke.com)

Scrap fabric is a great candidate for dust cloths, and this tutorial will show you how to turn one T-shirt into several easy and pragmatic cleaning rags– and since T-shirt material doesn’t fray, you have less to worry about when it comes to the longevity of these rags.

Turn them into yarn (Sustain My Craft Habit)

This video will teach not only how to make T-shirt yarn, but how to use every bit of fabric to make a sustainable and unique material for knitting and crocheting. Unlike traditional yarn, this eco-friendly alternative is less prone to pilling and snagging, too, and is a much more affordable alternative to jersey and other fabric yarn.

Sew a T-shirt Quilt (babylock.com)

While quilting can be an involved process, this DIY guide to making a quilt from your old tees makes it a much easier (and affordable) one. With the help of some quick measurements, some interfacing, and backing, you’ll be able to make something new out of what’s old that can be treasured for years to come. This one’s especially useful as the winter months creep nearer with each chilly October morning that arrives.

Repurpose them into one of several DIY bags (thethingswellmake.com)

Reusable grocery bags and totes have become all the rage in recent years, and for good reason: they’re more eco-friendly than their plastic counterparts and reduce the mountain of plastic bags we find ourselves inevitably struggling to get rid of. T-shirts, of course, make more than just doubly sustainable grocery bags; they also make creative conversation-starters in the form of purses and drawstring backpacks.

Create some cute mini accessories like keychains (craftsbyamanda.com)

Small projects like this braided T-shirt keychain are great not just for shirts we’re tossing, but also for those shirts we’ve cut the sleeves or hems off of in pursuit of the perfect DIY summer tank or crop top; no longer do those scrap bits of tee have to languish in the trash can! Instead, you can turn them into nostalgic and useful trinkets that just might remind you of the friendship bracelets you made as a kid, now with a practical upgrade (it won’t be hard to identify your keys with a bright and whimsical addition like this.)

…Or maybe even make some ingenious new decor (craftaholicsanonymous.com)

These T-shirt pom poms are great for faux flowers with a resourceful twist, party decorations, or any other occasion in which colorful and adorable adornments might be of use. If you’ve got tees, scissors, and some scrap cardboard, then you’re in luck because this super-simple step-by-step guide will show you how to turn all those components into a fun and playful craft session.