In an effort to seriously cut down on waste {it’s a personal challenge}, finding creative ways to use my garbage has been a top priority. Unless you have your own backyard chickens, egg cartons are one of those weekly items that end up tossed into the bin. Luckily, there are about a million ways to put them to good use {okay, maybe not a million, but at least 12}.
- Use them as paint pallets for your next masterpiece…or at least the kiddos’ works of art. Easy clean-up and you’ll get at least one more use out of them before they hit the bin.
- They make perfect seed starting containers. They are already segregated and they have really great drainage.
- Use them in drawers to organize just about anything. Hair ties, beads, office supplies.
- Tear them into tiny bits {not the Styrofoam kind, though!} and toss them into the composter.
- Use them to make a lasagna garden.
- Pass them along to peeps {pun intended} who have chickens and need them for egg storage. Make sure to negotiate a little trade-sey, cartons for a couple of fresh eggs. 😉
- Google egg carton crafts. There are seriously a ton of pretty rad ideas out there made by clever people.
- Use them to store Christmas ornaments. They are already compartmentalized and can be stacked in rubbermaid containers.
- Tear them up and use them as packing material for storing your breakable holiday decor or shipping. Who needs Styrofoam packing peanuts?
- Tear them into bits and use them to make your own firestarters.
- Call the local preschools and elementary schools to ask if they could use them for art projects.
- Paint them {or not} and use them as gift wrap boxes. Tell the recipient you are channeling your Depression Era resourcefulness.
Did I miss any?
~Mavis
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Beth says
They are great fire starters, that’s what my husband saves them for.
Mavis says
Ooooh, great idea!
Sherry says
I was going to say the same thing, we save them and husband uses them when lighting the wood stove. That said,
I do not buy eggs so often that we end up with a large amount, and I never buy the ones in styrofoam cartons. Made me think of how I always used them for craft projects when my kids were young.
Deborah says
Hello! Love all of these creative ideas!
About the last one… I’m having trouble visualizing egg cartons as gift wrap boxes. Could you perhaps give me an example of how this works?
Mavis says
You would use them for small items, like jewelry, money, gift cards, etc.
Lana says
They are great lightweight packing for shipping.
Wendy L says
We donate the cardboard ones to the food bank. They use them to give out eggs. They also take plastic bags for vegetables and meat distribution.
Becky says
I do miniatures so I tear the cardboard ones into small bits to use as courtyard “stone”, or rough floor tiles or even cut into rectangles to make “brick”. Once painted & grouted it’s hard to recognize them from purchased items. The foam ones are recycled for our home grown eggs or to hold eggs waiting for space in the incubators. And there are always art projects with the grandkids.
Heather says
I have donated all egg cartons (even the Styrofoam kind) to the local food bank.