How to Recycle and Reuse Pieces of Broken Mirror

They say that breaking a mirror will give you seven years of bad luck. Perhaps that's because broken mirror is not recyclable or repairable. Even if you can't put mirror shards into your recycle bin, however, there are lots of ways to reuse them.

If you want to use them for something that requires you to smooth the edges and make them safe, you can do so by squeezing hot glue along the edges or by covering the edges with masking tape. You can also use a Dremel or other small sanding tool to smooth down the edges. Be sure to wear safety goggles and heavy duty gloves to protect your hands.

One of my favorite things to use glass pieces for is Christmas dioramas. These small decorative villages often feature tiny ice skating figures. Mirrors make excellent frozen ponds for your tiny villages. Just lay the mirror piece down wherever you want a pond and push your fake snow up around the edges.

You can make mirror shards into fun and unique gifts of hand mirrors. These mirrors can be kept in a purse or handbag or even an automobile glove box. First, find a picture you would like to use from an old greeting card. Lay the glass piece face down over the image and trace around it. Cut the image out and glue it to the back of the glass. Use a self-hardening colored or glittered craft clay around the edges of the mirror to conceal any sharp sides. Once it dries, you have a neat little hand mirror.

Do you know anyone who makes stained glass artwork? They can use mirror shards in their hobby. You can also try taking your glass mirror shards to an art supply store that carries stained glass equipment. They usually have a bin full of cut and broken pieces of glass that they sell by the pound. They may be happy to take your glass mirror pieces for anyone who might like to use them.

Mirror shards are excellent for making into mosaics. You can use other items as well such as broken tile, marbles, and broken dishes. I have seen them used around photo frames, on decorative wooden boxes, on tables, and in decorative garden stepping stones.

Broken mirrors can be made into lovely Christmas ornaments. Like the mirror craft earlier, you can cover the back with a scene from a Christmas card or wrapping paper or you can just hand paint it. Coat the edges in craft clay or glitter glue and let it dry. Hot glue a bow and ribbon to the top so that you can hang it on the tree. If you don't celebrate Christmas, you can make these beautiful pieces into mobiles or sun catchers instead.

You can reuse your mirror shards and also make a little money off of them as well if you have a glass cutter and a glass breaker. Measure out squares or other shapes across the back of the mirror and cut and break them apart. These glass shapes are useful craft supplies and can be sold to someone on Ebay or Etsy.

If you do not want to reuse your broken mirror pieces, you may be able to find someone else to take them off of your hands for you. Try listing them on Freecycle.org or post an ad on the bulletin board at your local university asking if any art students could use them in one of their art projects.