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Uses for Plastic Packaging

Yellow Plastic Container on White Background
Many items we buy at the supermarket or department store these days comes with plastic packaging around it one way or another. Depending on the shape and size of the packaging, it could be useful for something else. This is a page about uses for plastic packaging.
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31 Solutions

This page contains the following solutions.

July 16, 2009

Use cupcake trays from the grocery store bakery for mini greenhouse to start plant seeds in. Each cake compartment holds a peat seed starter pot nicely.

 
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Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 196 Feedbacks
August 4, 2017

Drawer organizers are just a mushroom pizza away

We had homemade pizza with mushrooms recently and the package inspired the perfect way to organize our kitchen junk drawer. These cute little blue containers are perfect for corralling all those small necessities that, left loose, junk up the junk drawer.

We can fit 4 in the back of the drawer. No more getting stabbed by the meat thermometer and no more sting from pricy store bought containers!

A blue packaging container for mushrooms, used to organize a drawer.
 
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Gold Post Medal for All Time! 969 Posts
May 26, 2011

I recently bought one of these $.99 travel packs with 8 bandages in it. When it was empty, I found that it is perfect for all kinds of things. You can put in q-tips, antacids, nails and small screws, and I keep some insulin needles in mine. Other things could be medications like aspirin, coins for laundry, hair pins, rubber bands, and the hits just keep on coming!

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I especially like the little hole where you can keep it on a lanyard for a sporting event, a key chain, or on a peg hook. And, you can peel off the front so people don't think they are bandages anymore, and label them with a felt tip marker.

Hope this helps!

By Sandi/Poor But Proud from Salem, OR

Photo of Band Aid Box
 
Photo of a Band Aid Box Qtips
 
Photo of a Band Aid Box Full
 

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Gold Post Medal for All Time! 969 Posts
November 10, 2011

Having to test my sugar daily leaves me with these wonderful little tubes that seal down really well. They are smaller than old film tubes, so you can't put quarters in them.

Black test strip container with some coins in front

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Gold Post Medal for All Time! 969 Posts
July 27, 2011

I recently purchased some glue on nails at the Dollar Tree. This wonderful little container they came in just stayed in a drawer, determined to be needed until today.

Plastic adhesive nail packing with batteries inside and "charged" written on the outside

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Gold Post Medal for All Time! 969 Posts
May 8, 2016

My friend and I love sugar free gum. Her console is not designed to keep many things by the cigarette lighter. But, I found that the container I got a manicure set in from the Dollar Tree is perfect.

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Because its lid is see-through and tall, we can keep more gum inside and see when we are getting low.

gum in plastic container

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Gold Post Medal for All Time! 969 Posts
January 23, 2018

I have a tender spot in my gums, so yesterday I went to get some soft toothbrushes from the dollar tree. Choosing the packaged kind, I happened to look down at the other choices not at eye-level.

A collection of toothbrushes in a plastic container.

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June 21, 2011

The magazines I receive often come in plastic bags, and I find that if I am very careful and cut them at the top, I can re-use them around the house. Same with the plastic bags samples come in and so on.

 
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May 19, 2008

I don't know about you but my underwear drawer is frequently in disarray. I keep those clear plastic things that sheets come in and tablecloths because they are good for so many things.

 
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Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 228 Posts
April 24, 2013

Magazines that arrive in the mail are often in a clear plastic sack. Open it carefully instead of ripping it hurriedly and you have a nice sack to save items.

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February 3, 2016

After using wax for my warmers, I don't throw the plastic away. I use it for paint compartments for small projects. The lid snaps and keeps my paint fresh.

Reusing Plastic Containers for Craft Paint

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July 3, 2019

This is a collapsible storage bag used to store sugar cane blend sugar. The one I have shown here is a 24 oz. Truvia bag. It has a screw on lid which makes it airtight.

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These type of containers are being widely used to store sugar and other dry products and are so useful for so many other things.

A collapsible package that can be reused.

December 27, 2010

I save bits of hard "see through" plastic from the boxes of things I buy (toaster, etc.) to use as a disposable paint palette for acrylic paints that I use for crafts. It doesn't have a well, but the paint stays put anyway.

 
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August 15, 2008

School teacher supplies can be a challenge to store in a crowded classroom with limited storage space. Empty tennis ball containers which are clear can store office supplies such as paper clips, paper brads, pens, pencils, erasers, etc.

 
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Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 190 Feedbacks
April 25, 2013

I used dry facial cleansing clothes to remove my makeup. They come in a nice size plastic container that is great when empty to use in drawers as dividers for such things as socks, jewelry, panty hose, etc.

 

May 21, 2008

I use the piece of plastic found underneath the bacon in each package. It is flimsy enough to cut with regular scissors, yet strong enough to use many times over.

 
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July 10, 2013

These little pill packets made out of plastic squares are extra sharp. You can open packages with them, and they slice right through tape on packages.

Reuse Pill Blister Packages As Box Cutter

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October 6, 2004

Every once in a while I will get in my mailer a really nice plastic CD box with a CD from one of the "other internet providers" I use these to mail Photo CD's to my family. Open the CD and lay the box flat and remove the paper from inside the plastic cover.

 
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March 23, 2009

I've noticed that there are a lot of same-size things around the house that can be reused.

 
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Gold Post Medal for All Time! 969 Posts
September 8, 2008

I have used the waxy earplugs to help me sleep for a while. I love the containers, and use them for all kinds of things. I have a nice new deck of cards in one, my business cards in another, a mini sewing kit in another (in fact, the dollar trees' have mini sewing kits in them already), mini first-aid kit, craft items, and soooooooo much more!

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Enjoy!

Earplug Cases For Storage

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May 21, 2008

Take the plastic containers that come ready to eat with chips and salsa and clean it out. These make excellent swimming pools for your miniature house layouts. Usually they come in black but you can paint them to resemble a swimming pool. Great recycle project

 
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June 20, 2005

Keep a few disposable Cool Whip tubs on hand. You can always use them for freezing leftovers, or taking a dish of something over to your neighbor's. Today, I needed one for a neighbor's dog that had gotten loose. He was thirsty and I gave him 2 bowls of water. Afterwards, I just tossed the tub away.

 
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Questions

Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.

December 29, 2009

I would love to see ideas on planned leftovers, not necessary for food. For instance purchasing an item wanting the container for a further use.

By notwrong

Answers


Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 228 Posts
December 29, 20090 found this helpful

i really like the plastic flip top tasters choice boxes! I store "W&W's" (as my son jokingly refers to them)
in them or the ones I get from a Dutch bakery near here which are called Earnies & other candies or candied fruit ! Glue a couple quarter sized (.25c piece) googlie eyes on the brown lid for fun!

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Also I used to buy a bakery item that came in a super sturdy clear plastic box (i believe it was mini muffins)
The box was slightly rectangular & would fit the larger size recipe cards.
That is a good way to shop though ! You should be commended for your mindfullness of this.Being aware of the need for doing/dealing with empties is becoming more & more popular!
I love that so many people keep in mind as they shop the potential for later use of the containers/bags/boxes!
Great!
Thanks!

(found the pics!)
www.flickr.com/.../2316897526
www.flickr.com/.../2316090093
www.flickr.com/.../847546975

 
 
December 29, 20090 found this helpful

I purchase gift packs that are on clearance after the holidays...just for the containers they come in. I take the soaps, shampoos & other bath items to a local shelter, and keep the containers.
I've used them to store pet toys, plant flowers, waste baskets...anything I can think of at the time. Some have actual baskets, other are wire baskets & I have found a few that have metal tubs. You can usually get them for 50%-75% off after the holidays.

 
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July 20, 2012

Large clear rectangular container.I have a square plastic clear container, about 1 foot high supported with metal rods. What could I do with it besides a terrarium which I don't want?

By Sandy C

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September 22, 2008

I bought some linen recently which was wrapped in thick clear plastic, like a wallet. My husband bought underpants contained in the same material. I don't want to just throw this clear plastic away - surely it could have another use? Windows for a doll's house perhaps? (which I don't really want to make!) Does anyone have any ideas? They'd be gratefully accepted!



Cheers,
Virginia Cooke from Canberra, Australia

Answers


Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 239 Feedbacks
September 22, 20080 found this helpful

I put out of season clothing and blankets in what I think you're talking about.

 

Gold Post Medal for All Time! 519 Posts
September 22, 20080 found this helpful

Make sure you open the package carefully and you can re-use it for storage.

 
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