Clever Reuses for Common Household Items
Written by: Clay Miller
One of the best ways to avoid sending things to a landfill is to reuse them. Below are some clever reuses for some common household items. You can help the environment and even save money.
Styrofoam egg cartons
- divide into smaller pieces and use them to protect items while shipping or in storage
- use to sprout seedlings before putting in garden
- use to store small odds and ends like ping-pong balls, rings, buttons or thumb tacks.
Wire clothes hangers
- make a children's mobile or wind chimes
- great for campfire marshmallows and/or hotdogs
- unblocking a toilet; I've been there
- be creative and make an art piece; surprise me
Empty (and cleaned) pill bottles
- storage for items such as coins, paperclips, thumb tacks, beads
- organize fishing supplies like hooks, lures, bobbers and other loose items
- create a small first aid kit with small band-aids and ointment to take anywhere
Paper bags
- use to cover textbooks
- can be used to create kid's art projects like masks or costumes
- cut in pieces and wad up to use in faux painting
- decorate to make a kid's hand puppet
Yogurt cups
- use as a planter for a small plant
- use the cups to wash out small paint brushes
- store beads and other craft supplies
- use the cups to hold jelly beans or other small snacks at a kid's birthday party
