Today, there is a stronger focus on reducing waste, and many of the items we might usually throw away can be repurposed into practical or decorative items. This doesn’t just reduce our environmental footprint; it helps us to save money too. In our list today, we share some household items that fit perfectly into this category.
Wine Corks
Why not glue together wine corks to make coasters or bulletin boards, instead of throwing them in the bin? You can also slice them into discs to create custom stamps for art projects or gift wrap, or use them as mulch in garden beds.
Egg Cartons
Use egg cartons to organize small items like beads, buttons, or screws for craft projects, or get your kids involved to transform them into creative art projects, such as animal figures or decorative flowers.
Old Towels
Try cutting up old towels to use as cloths for cleaning windows, cars, and other surfaces. Or, use them as absorbent pads for drying dishes or mopping up spills. You can also donate them to animal shelters where they can be used as bedding and cleaning cloths.
Paper Rolls
As Science Direct mentions, the paper industry wastewater is one of the most prominent issues in the world. Instead of contributing to environmental pollution, turn paper rolls into organizers for cords and cables, create DIY projects, or use them to protect delicate items when moving.
Glass Jars
Instead of just throwing them away, you can transform old glass jars into storage containers for pantry foods like rice, beans, and pasta. You could also use them to organize small items such as screws and other hardware, or decorate them with paint to create vases or candle holders.
Plastic Bottles
According to National Geographic, plastic bottles are a single-use plastic, which when disposed of is a real problem for ocean pollution. If you cut the tops off plastic bottles, you can create a range of household items, such as watering cans or funnels for your garden.
Tin Cans
Tin cans can be used as desk organizers for pens, scissors, and other supplies. All you need to do is clean them and paint them to make them look nicer on your desk. They can also be used as a tool holder for the kitchen or garage, or a planter for small flowers and herbs.
Cardboard Boxes
GOV.UK says that cardboard can cause significant pollution. Rather than throwing them away, you could get creative and turn large cardboard boxes into playhouses for children or pets, or use smaller boxes as gift boxes or to organize items in closets, drawers, or under the bed.
CDs and DVDs
Rather than throwing them out, gather your old CDs and DVDs together and create mosaic art pieces or decorative mirrors. Alternatively, you could turn them into unique coasters or ornaments by adding felt and other materials.
Mason Jars
Mason jars can be used to store homemade jams, pickles, and a variety of other foods. You can use them to make overnight oats too, or even create stylish cocktail glasses or decorative lanterns with candles or fairy lights inside.
Wooden Pallets
Converting wooden pallets into outdoor furniture such as benches or tables is a good way to make use of them. You could also create a headboard for your bed or a rustic bookshelf, or build a compost bin for your backyard.
Old T-Shirts
Cut old t-shirts into strips, and you can make braided rugs or pot holders. They can also be used as reusable shopping bags or tote bags, and you can even use the material to make quilts and pillow covers.
Glass Bottles
You can paint or decorate glass bottles to use as vases, add bulbs and wiring to create light fixtures, or use them to create unique candle holders. As noted by BBC, glass bottles have an even higher environmental footprint than plastics, so it’s definitely worth repurposing them.
Shoe Boxes
Decorating old shoe boxes to use as storage containers for closets and shelves is a great way to repurpose them. You could also use them to organize important paperwork or photographs, or to store craft supplies.
Wine Bottles
Repurpose your empty wine bottle into a decorative vase or candle holder, or create a chandelier or pendant lights with multiple wine bottles. You can even use them as rolling pins for dough or to store homemade dressings and oils.
Broken Dishes
Broken pieces of dishes can be used to create colorful mosaic tabletops, frames, or stepping stones. You could incorporate them into garden paths or wall decorations, or repair and reuse them in creative ways – like making jewelry.
Socks
Try turning mismatched or worn-out socks into dusting mitts or cleaning rags. Create sock puppets for children or toys for pets, or fill them with rice to make hot or cold packs. There are many different ways you can use your old socks!
Coffee Grounds
Use coffee grounds as compost material to enrich garden soil, or repel pests like slugs and snails by sprinkling coffee grounds around plants. Also, try deodorizing your fridge or garbage disposal with dried coffee grounds.
Milk Cartons
Don’t throw milk cartons away – they have lots of uses! Cut them up to use as plant pots or seedling starters, create bird feeders or nesting boxes, or use them as molds for homemade candles or soap.
Newspaper
Try using newspaper to clean glass surfaces – this is a great way to leave them streak-free! You can also use newspapers to pack and protect fragile items when moving or storing, or create DIY seedling pots or biodegradable garden mulch.