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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.
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.
I've noticed that there are a lot of same-size things around the house that can be reused.
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!
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
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.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
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
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!
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!
(found the pics!)
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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.
We buy lunch meat in plastic lockable containers. Ones like they sell: hefty, glad lock, ziplock. After the meat is gone we wash the containers and reuse them for multiple tasks: left overs, drawer stock (paper clips, rubber bands, tea bags, fuses, push pins, etc.) and nuts/bolts to name a few things.
Jimmy Dean pre-cut sausage patty slices come on a very hard plastic twin tray, suitable for beading projects. To set on a bathroom or kitchen counter to hold jewelry. Perfect size for a pencil/pen tray, etc.
I always, always, buy products in glass jars versus plastic, like salsa, jelly, peanut butter, etc. These are then washed and recycled as homemade jelly and jam jars (yes, they are safe, as long as you seal the jelly with a paraffin wax layer on top). I put hot peppers in vinegar in them, etc.
Other plastic jars with screw on lids are saved for camping trips and the like; to carry shampoo, syrup, ground coffee, sugar, etc. Keeps things from spilling, and raccoons, bears, and sugar ants can't unscrew the lids!
metal coffee cans instead of plastic store cooking oil after use.
Spices in clear glass or plastic bottles-when empty, I use them to store beads I have sorted.
I 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.
My baby spinach and mixed salad greens come in clear plastic boxes with fitted lids, they are about 7"x11" and 3"deep. I use them for scrapbbooking and cardmaking supplies. The lids have a rim on them and they stack securely. They are clear so it's easy to see what is inside.
I use them in the cupboard to keep taco seasoning envelopes, etc. neat. I also have a yellow container, similar to the one at the beginning of this file, and use it to store sandwich-making fixings in the frig.
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
Make a large photo cube. Place four photos or a collage of photos and place some artificial flowers inside, stuck inside some floral foam. Use ribbons around the flowers, etc.
A catch-all! Or a sand garden with shells, coral, mini starfish, & sand dollar! And maybe even a mini palm tree... whatever you decide. I'm sure it will be great! Have fun! : D
Would make a nice wastebasket for the bathroom. Fill with Christmas balls or pine cones or balls of yarn.
Use it as a storage container in a 12-13 square shelf (cubbie)!
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!
I put out of season clothing and blankets in what I think you're talking about.
Make sure you open the package carefully and you can re-use it for storage.
I use stuff like that to cover pictures that I have on my refrigerator, to protect them if they happen to get knocked onto the floor.
I have a large one that a bed and comfortor set came in that houses our volleyball and net, and another for a badmitten set. I have ones that I keep stuff in inside the trunk of my car to keep items clean and dust free-one ontains my first aid kit, a flare set, writing paper, deck of cards and a blanket. I add a few more with more blankets and socks, gloves and hats during the winter since we are 21 miles out from the city.
I use them for seasonal bedding. This time of year over here is fall, so the flannel sheets come out from under the bed, and the warm weather ones go in. They are also great for sleepovers, craft projects you are taking on a trip, or anything you need to see but keep clean. I esp' love the ones with the zippers and baggage handles.
How about using a large piece to cover cook books when you are using them, so dirt doesn't fall onto the pages?
I use smaller ones (from curtains and underwear) to store my "white" lace and satin fabric in.
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
Yes, 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.
Any ideas for using plastic box the MACK'S earplugs come in?
I would put business cards in them.
Pills or sweeteners for carrying in your purse or in the car; cake decorations in the kitchen; tiny parts for model-making; stickers for use on charts or calendars; stamps; small ribbons, decorations in the sewing room; dog treats on the go; an eraser; bobby pins; hair net; aide-memoire or affirmation, folded so that the message shows; dried lavender flowers to sniff or rub between fingers when nervous; stubs of pastel chalk or crayon.
The trays that potted plants are delivered to retailers in, are often available for free. They can be reused to store breakable cups and glasses. This page is about using plant trays to store mugs and glassware.
A lot of small items will easily fit into those empty pencil lead containers, such as pins, needles, bobby pins, and more. This is a page about uses for pencil lead containers.
Many plastic containers work quite well for starting your seeds prior to spring planting. This is a page about reuse plastic containers for seedlings.
This is a page about uses for cupcake liner containers. The plastic cup that cupcake papers are often sold in can be helpful for other things.
