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Reduce, reuse, repurpose
Posted on November 21st, 2008 10 commentsI love repurposing things - taking something I own and giving it a new purpose to fill a need, instead of going out and buying something new.
I especially love doing this with packaging. By reusing packaging, you create less waste. It also lets you buy in bulk, because you already have the convenient containers at home. The way I look at it, we pay for packaging just as much as we pay for what’s actually inside the container. So why not see what you can do with it?
My first rule is to save any good quality containers you have - even if an immediate purpose doesn’t come to mind.
Here are some examples of how to repurpose your packaging.
Reuse jars to hold homemade snacks or store buttons, nails, or other small objects.
Save your empty bottles of pain killers. Since I take pain medication regularly, I like to make sure that I have a supply in my purse. Small bottles are (for some reason) way over-priced. I transfer a small number of pills into a extra bottle and keep it in my purse.
Repurpose heavy duty plastic jugs to hold pet food. I saved an epsom salt container - a large, plastic jug with a handle. I then bought epsom salts at the bulk barn, and reused the jug. After I stopped buying epsom salts, the container made a transition into feline territory by becoming a handy storage and feeding device for Butternut’s cat chow.
Refill your sample size containers. I kept the miniature contact lens solution sample I received for free. I refill it and take it with me on trips instead of taking a big bottle or going out and buying a new sample-sized one.
Reuse your spray bottles. I resuse my spray bottles by filling them with homemade leaning products, like vinegar and water.
Keep bread bags to hold your homemade bread, muffins, and other baked goods. And save your twist-ties and tags, too!
Clean out your empty powder compact and use it as a mirror in your purse. You can also cut and glue a cute picture in the space where the powder used to be!
Turn packaging into gift and craft supplies. Keep brown paper bags, brown paper, ribbons, bows, tissue paper, wrapping paper, shoeboxes, gift bags,and stickers that come with presents or parcels from stores. This will all come in handy for future gifts and crafts.
Save your bubble wrap. You never know when you will need it! When I installed a window box air conditioner I was proud that I already had all the bubble wrap I needed ready to use for insulation.
I even save my netting - this comes with garlic, avocadoes, oranges, etc. It can be used for nautical-themed crafts, glued to a picture frame with sea shells.
I also save cardboard for future craft projects, like collages.
Reuse store bags as lunch bags and shopping bags. Other stores besides Lulu Lemon are following the trend. Keep an eye out for these freebies and reuse them to carry your lunch.
I especially love little bags. They are great for transporting delicate jewellery or perfume while travelling, or packing a new gift.
Reuse fruit baskets to store snacks or odds’n'ends. We put ours in our pantry and fill it with granola bars and chocolates, that are easy to grab for lunches.
When I was a teenager, I saved the boxes that clementines came in because I figured out that the size of the box fit my 7″ records perfectly! I used one to hold all my 7″s which made it convienient to flip through them.
Essentially, I save anything that looks interesting. I usually find a use for it. The key is to keep organized. I use a large craft organizer that keeps it all organized instead of just one big pile of junk.
What is your favourite tip for reusing packaging?
10 responses to “Reduce, reuse, repurpose”
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those are some great ideas! it is good for both the pocketbook & the environment! love it
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What amazing ideas!! I’m going to start looking at packaging in a whole new light. These are GREAT tips..thanks!!
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This wouldn’t apply to a lot of people but we make bird toys with old boxes, newspaper, plastic soda bottles.
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Hi there-thanks for sharing these tips, very inspirational my dear!
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I keep plastic food containers (from margarine or yogurt) for freezing food.
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To Money Minder…Your idea is a good one, but I’ve heard that sometimes certain plastics can release toxins when they are heated or put into the freezer. If you check the number on the bottom, you can check if it’s safety concern by researching it on the computer.
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Brenda November 21st, 2008 at 17:39
Great ideas! I use shoe boxes, and cover them with wrapping paper, and use them for storage - pretty and functional. You can do this with any box that has a lid. Great for gift giving too.
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everyone i know saves their plastic bags for me because i make crafts out of them (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v719/dinah34134/bag1.jpg)
i also take sweaters and unravel them to use the yarn for crocheting. a great way to reuse items!
i also love to purchase used items. clothes, toasters, books, tvs, whatever! it’s a good way to slow down production of new items
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Andrea November 21st, 2008 at 21:49
Awesome ideas. I never really thought of it that way that we paid for it so we might as well find some use out it! I’ve re-used in the past and present, but I’ll try to step-it up now : ).
I agree organization is the key. You don’t want to go too extreme that you turn into a packrat or have a cluterred space..just to hold onto it for a rainy day.The best way to repurpose is to really think outside the box with the item.
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michelle January 22nd, 2009 at 11:21
Great ideas, I read your blog almost as much as I read Gail’s now! I use boxes to sort and hold baby socks, facecloths, bibs, and mittens, etc! Have always kept shoeboxes!! My husband threw some (well, almost all of them) out one time and I think I almost cried!! Mind you they weren’t in use…can’t blame him, he said they were a fire hazard (there were quite a few, ha ha)
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