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 from Salem, OR
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. While the battery charger was finishing its work, I thought of this little thing and how handy it would be to let me know if the batteries were charged or needed to be.
Not only can you write on it, but you can hang it up, too!
So, let the games begin!
Ok Fine - I will start
Keep it for Postage Stamps, coupons, hardware, buttons, beads (not too tiny, this opens all the way like a suitcase so it must be on a secure, flat surface), small craft items, jewelry, toothpicks, hair pins, mini tubes for travel, paperclips, mini post-its, and more!
By Poor But Proud from Salem, OR
While shopping for something small to abate my sweet tooth, I stumbled on a Great Value (Walmart brand) frozen snack. They are $.75 in the ice cream treat section. As I was washing the container, I thought of all the cool things I could do with it. I had to pack a snack lunch recently, and found that two hard boiled eggs fit perfect, along with some dip. Now, they don't have lids, but you could use them for non-food things too, like coins, buttons, beads, hair pins, q-tips, toothpicks, and the list goes on. Hope this helps!
By Sandi A. from Salem, OR
By firewife from TN
By Marcia from Herington, KS
By Pamphyila
Any time if my mother would buy sherbet ice cream, she would usually keep the containers to clean out first and use the containers for anything. For Example:
Source: my mother, Kathleen
By ERM747 from Houston, TX
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 for crafts, newspaper clippings you intend to send to your nephew, recipes you have no time to file at the moment or decorating ideas. It's amazing how many items you get in the mail that are usable and don't cost you anything except for the time it takes to clip them.
In my image you can see a few items I save and will probably end up using in crafts. The flowered item held junk mail but is too pretty to regard as JUNK. The envelope toward the back could be used to stash coupons or fill with things that deserve a window.
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 (bracelets in particular), panty hose, etc.
I used an extra large one the other day to put my roll of trash bags in it because it had a lid on it and a slot for pull through. This was from a container of diaper wipes that I bought on sale. A box of 75 was only 3 boxes for $5.00 so I stocked up. I always try to look at all product containers to see how I can use them when empty.
By Kathy
Teachers recycle, if you have container that a teacher might use in the classroom, take it to your local school. Teachers will thank you!
By Jose from Tennessee
This would be perfect for recycling, too. I was cleaning out some desk stuff and found these. They are perfect for toothpicks, paper clips, hair pins and safety pins. You could also keep straight pins, needles, buttons, beads, and other craft supplies in it.
You can keep baby aspirin (clearly marked!), emery boards you cut in half, nail tips (not the curved kind, these are pretty narrow), eyelashes and more.
For camping, there are matches, bandages, just the right amount of spices for the trip, and other little things you always need but don't want the bulk or the weight.
Now it's your turn everyone, to add to the list!
By Cheryl from Montesano, WA
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! Enjoy!By Debra in Colorado
I sometimes get packaged molasses cookies at the DT. They have the coolest plastic containers that I often reuse.
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
By TXBetty01/01/2010I buy Catalina spaghetti sauce. In addition to it being the only commercial one that I think is not too sweet, I also buy it for the beautiful jars. I've gotten so many of these that I've been giving then away on freecycle. I store all kinds of stuff in them; anywhere from food to cotton balls, nuts, bolts, etc. Some are sitting on my counter top loaded with food items . I'm thinking about painting the lids with craft paint or attaching a pretty cloth topper like you see on jars in the stores. I also use the containers that dry parmazon cheese (can't spell it) comes in. Put baking soda in them to sprinkle in my sinks to clean; not so abrasive. I have a lot of cute little jars that things come in that I'm saving when I decide what to use them for.
I love Healthy Choice Steamers. They are very tasty and good nutrition. The container you cook it in comes in two parts. A bowl and a top that has holes in it to let out the steam. I always recycle these, but can they be re-used for other foods?
By Joanne from Bourbonnais, IL
By knitter92601/28/2013Yes, they can be reused. EX: steam your frozen veg's, bake a potato in it, heat any single serving, and not food related, my daughter took some of my containers for her grandkids to use when they caught lightening bugs. Use container like any other, good for EZMac too.
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
By jean9907/23/2012Would make a nice wastebasket for the bathroom. Fill with Christmas balls or pine cones or balls of yarn.
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?
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Uses for Plastic Packaging