It’s satisfying to finish a product you’ve been using for a long time—like finally burning the candle to the bottom or spraying the last drops of your perfume. But after the product is gone, the container often ends up tossed in the trash. According to The World Counts, humans produce 2.12 billion tons of waste every year, and 99% of the waste is created by people throwing away products they purchased in the last six months. With that in mind, the next time you find yourself finishing a product, consider repurposing it with one of our favorite eco-friendly projects.
While repurposing one glass jar won’t solve the world’s waste issue, it will do much more good than tossing it in the trash can. Keep reading to see our favorite projects for repurposing empty containers.
Candles are a popular home item because of their fragrant scents, warm light, and cute vessels. But when the candle is burned down, the beautiful containers often get tossed in the trash. Instead, remove the leftover candle wax and repurpose the container.
Candle jars and containers make great catchalls and jewelry dishes. Place a container near your vanity to hold earrings, rings, hair pins, and coins. Or place a candle container on your coffee table and fill it with sentimental photos or old dominoes and game pieces.
David Prince
Mason jars are extremely versatile, whether you use them to store pantry ingredients or hold an afternoon iced coffee. The next time you find yourself with an empty Mason jar, consider making your own candle. Customize your candle’s scent, color, and exterior by painting the jar or keeping it clear. Tie a bow around the lip of the jar and give it to a loved one as a gift, or keep the candle to make your home warm and cozy.
Instead of throwing your old makeup palette away, create an everyday essentials palette with your most-used products. Start by de-potting your favorite makeup or skincare products and placing them into small tins. Attach a magnetic pad inside the palette and apply small magnetic pads to the backs of the makeup tins. The best part: You can easily switch the placements of the tins or replace them with other frequently-used products. Throw your customized palette in your everyday bag or use it the next time you travel.
Marty Baldwin
After you’ve used all of the eggs, repurpose your egg carton into a drawer organizer for your kitchen, office, or bathroom. Choose to keep the lid on the container or cut it off to create two separate organizers. Place the containers inside the drawers that gather the most clutter. Organize paper clips, push pins, and cords in your office drawers and hair ties, bobby pins, and cotton rounds in your bathroom cabinets.
Tin cans can be repurposed into many different eco-friendly outdoor products like planters, seedling protectors, and bird feeders. But if you’re looking to reuse your tin cans inside your home, consider turning them into lanterns. Start by drawing a pattern on paper and taping it to the can. Next, drill holes following the pattern and place a candle or tea light in the bottom of the can. You can paint the can a certain color or leave it as shiny silver. If you want to create a hanging lantern, drill two holes near the top of the can and loop a piece of twine through, creating knots at each end.
Edward Gohlich
Instead of throwing away the tube when you finish your favorite lip product, turn it into a compact organizer. Clean the tube with soap and water and use it to store bobby pins, medicine, and cotton swabs. Toss the tube in your bag to carry your small necessities without having to purchase a separate clunky organizer.
It might be tempting to throw away your spice jars once they are empty because they are so small, but think twice before you toss them. Clean out your spice jars and turn them into a home for propagated houseplants. Peel off the label, wash the jars with soap and water, and fill them with either soil or water depending on the plant you are propagating. Place the propagation jars around your home for small pops of natural color or keep the jars together to create a propagation station.
Turn old perfume bottles into beautiful vases the next time you finish a bottle. Thoroughly clean the inside of the bottle with soap before filling it with water and placing stems in the bottle. Or, use faux florals to create a bouquet that won’t wilt. Place the small vessel around your home or group multiple bottles to create a simple centerpiece for your dining table.
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