The urge to toss stuff into the trash is strong, but on occasion, that can be like tossing money into the trash. There’s a lot of stuff out there that can be reused in practical, money-saving ways.
Unconvinced? Take a look at these 13 things reusable items that you were probably going to throw away, and save them instead.
Hotel Shower Caps
Grab the shower cap from your next hotel for a great thing to wrap shoes in when packing a suitcase, or even a bowl cover for the fridge. Also, it should be mentioned, you can just reuse it as a shower cap, too.
Toilet Paper Rolls
Don’t toss those TP rolls right away, as second-nature as it may be. Toilet paper rolls stuffed with lint are excellent fire-starters in the winter or on a camping trip, and you can even use them as planters.
iPhone Boxes
It’s just such a well-made box, you know? Don’t you always feel guilty tossing these guys out? I do. The good news is that they make great desk organizers, whether you want to use the whole box or just the flats as dividers.
Glass Jars
Pasta sauces and other similar things often come in nice glass jars, and there are so many different ways you can use a nice glass jar. Whether it’s for leftovers, organizing screws, or just cool, funky, drinking glasses, you can find a ton of uses for glass jars.
Advertisement Credit Cards
You know those fake, “Your Name Here” credit cards that you sometimes get in the mail as an ad? Say hello to your new favorite pan scraper.
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Sour Cream Containers
Sour cream, cottage cheese, and other similarly-packaged products all come in some pretty decent plastic containers. These are great for extra food storage containers, especially if you often send people home with leftovers and don’t want to worry about getting the containers back.
Bones
If you didn’t get into making your own broth during the pandemic, you probably caught on to it at some point since. If not, it’s the easiest thing in the world: boil your leftover meat bones and then let it simmer until you’ve got the color and consistency you want. You can boost the flavor by roasting and blanching the bones first, but it’s not necessary.
Twist Ties
I’m sure it won’t take long for you to think of all the things you can do with these: cable and cord organizers. Plant vine redirectors. Food storage. There’s a lot of things that need tying up.
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Grocery Store Bags
Do you have a tiny trash can in your home? Maybe in your bathroom or under the sink somewhere? Consider grocery store plastic bags to be free liners.
Bubble Wrap
Bubble wrap is great to have. If you regularly ship things, you’ll be thrilled to have some on hand. And if you’ve got a big move coming up? You’re gonna need tons of this stuff anyway.
Spare Napkins
You don’t need me to tell you this. Stash napkins, obviously. Stash them everywhere. Stash them in your car’s glovebox, stash them in your house, stash them in your damn jacket pocket. I’ve spilled everything I’ve ever eaten on myself. Napkins are amazing things to have handy.
Glass Bottles
Empty glass bottles are surprisingly versatile once you rinse them out and remove the labels. They can become vases for single flowers or branches, adding a minimal, rustic touch to a table or windowsill. With a cork or a pump top, they also work well as oil, vinegar, or soap dispensers. If you’re feeling more creative, glass bottles can be turned into decorative lamps or candle holders, giving them a second life that’s both functional and aesthetic.
Used Tea Bags
After brewing tea, the bags still have plenty of use left in them. Once cooled, they can be applied directly to skin to soothe irritation or reduce puffiness, especially around the eyes. Dried tea bags also work as natural deodorizers for shoes, drawers, or the refrigerator. In the garden or compost, tea leaves enrich soil and help nourish plants, making tea bags an easy, low-effort way to reduce waste.
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