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Give New Life to Everyday Items and Reduce Waste
While recycling has long been the poster child for eco-friendly living, giving items a second life is an even better way to minimize waste. Fortunately, the internet is full of brilliant ideas for repurposing common household items—saving you money and helping the planet at the same time.
Extending the life of products reduces the burden on recycling centers, many of which are overwhelmed and unable to process everything they receive. Sadly, a lot of recyclable materials still end up in landfills. By creatively reusing everyday items, you can make a real difference. Let’s explore some simple ways to breathe new life into things you likely already have at home.
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1. Cardboard Boxes
If you frequently receive deliveries, you probably have a pile of cardboard boxes lying around. Instead of tossing them into the recycling bin, consider turning them into something useful. For example, you can easily create a DIY cardboard shoe rack using just some tape and corner guards. While it may not be the most stylish piece of furniture, it’s perfect for organizing shoes or lightweight items in a closet. Just remember—cardboard and moisture don’t mix well!
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2. Bread Tabs
Those little plastic tabs from bread bags can be surprisingly handy. Label your cords and cables by attaching a bread tab and writing what each cord is for. This simple trick can save you the frustration of unplugging the wrong device. Bonus tip: color-code your cords using different colored tabs for even quicker identification.
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3. Old Toothbrushes
Dentists recommend replacing your toothbrush every few months, but that doesn’t mean you have to throw the old one away. Toothbrushes make excellent cleaning tools for hard-to-reach areas, like around sink faucets or intricate decorations. They’re perfect for scrubbing grime out of tight spaces.
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4. Plastic Containers
Before tossing out empty plastic containers, think about how they could help you organize small items like screws, nails, or even craft supplies. Label them with a marker for easy identification. Clear containers are especially great for watching plants grow if you use them as mini planters!
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5. Coffee Containers
Empty coffee canisters are sturdy and versatile. In winter, repurpose them into DIY salt shakers for de-icing your walkways—just poke holes in the lid. They’re also great for storing sand, kitty litter, or even dry pet food.
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6. Milk Jugs
Milk jugs have endless possibilities. Turn them into watering cans by poking small holes in the cap, or cut off the top to create a protective planter for young plants. Once your saplings are strong enough, simply remove the jug and transplant them into the garden.
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7. Egg Cartons
Egg cartons are perfect for storing small, fragile items like Christmas ornaments or hardware such as screws and bolts. You can also use them to start seedlings for your garden.
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8. Newspapers and Magazines
Instead of buying wrapping paper, use old newspapers or magazines for a creative and eco-friendly alternative. Newspapers also make excellent packing material when moving or lining cages for pets.
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9. Old Towels
When towels become too worn for daily use, cut them into cleaning rags or donate them to animal shelters. They also make great padding for pet crates or can be used to bundle items like pipes or sports equipment.
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10. Old Jeans
Instead of tossing out worn jeans, turn them into DIY projects like denim tote bags, jackets, or even placemats. Denim is a durable material perfect for crafting if you enjoy sewing.
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11. Paper Towel Tubes
Use empty paper towel rolls to organize cords and cables. Wrap the cords neatly and slide them into the tube, labeling them for easy identification. It’s a great way to avoid tangled wires in storage.
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12. Squeezable Condiment Bottles
Clean out old condiment bottles and use them to dispense pancake batter for perfect portions, or fill them with icing for decorating desserts. They’re also handy for camping trips!
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13. Bread Bags
Bread bags can be reused as emergency dog waste bags, homemade ice packs, or even marinating bags for meats. Just be sure to clean them thoroughly if you plan to reuse them with food.
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14. Mesh Produce Bags
Mesh bags from produce can be repurposed as scrubbers for dirty pans or used to store small sports equipment like baseballs or tennis balls.
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15. Tissue Boxes
Tissue boxes are ideal for storing plastic grocery bags. You can also cut them down and use them as drawer organizers for small items like office supplies or craft materials.
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16. Butter Wrappers
Save butter wrappers to grease baking pans without needing sprays or
