Frugal

11 DIY Projects Using Recycled Food Containers

May 1, 2008 /

I love reusing things, and food containers are no exception! Some of the great uses I invented for plastic peanut butter jars in my bathroom are holders for dental flossers and cotton swabs.
Peanut butter jars (the small, 17 oz. jar) are the perfect size to hold these small items. The jars are washable and cheap to replace. They’re also lidded, which is great for keeping your hygienic items clean. Lidded containers protect from germs and airborne particulates, such as dust, deodorant, hairspray, and perfume.
But what other uses can we come up with food containers, glass bottles, plastic jars, and more? Here are some fun DIY projects and crafts we found for using peanut butter jars and other food containers!
Plus, here’s a whole tutorial on how to spray paint plastic food containers, which actually is kind of tricky.

11 Crafty DIY Projects Using Food Containers

Mayonnaise jar piggy bank
Canisters out of plastic coffee containers
Wasp trap using a plastic soda bottle
Kids’ bowling pins out of puffs containers
Ribbon dispensers using Starbucks glass bottles
Coin sorters out of baby food containers and spice jars
Bird feeder from a soda bottle
Herb planters for your kitchen out of vegetable cans
Jewelry stand from soda bottle bottoms
Lawn sprinkler from plastic bottle
Travel pacifier holders out of plastic condiment cups

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12 Comments

  • Jenny

    May 2, 2008 at 5:01 am

    I’ve been saving food containers – pb jars included. Nice to see them in use! Gives me some ideas. Thanks!

  • Jenny

    May 3, 2008 at 2:25 am

    I love the ideas on milk jugs! I always throw them out, but feel so wasteful! Now I have some ideas. You are so creative!

  • Lynne Francis

    December 10, 2008 at 8:02 am

    I fill my old cleaned peanut butter jars with homemade hot chocolate mix, attach a homemade Christmas label (that I print off my computer) with instructions and ingredients, attach a ribbon and give as Christmas gifts. Also, makes a great Sunday School or Children’s Church craft or gift for the kids to make.

  • Shirley

    April 11, 2009 at 4:18 am

    I use my peanut butter jars in my craft room. I store my scrapbooking supplies such as buttons, eyelets, brads, diecuts, beads, jewelry findings, etc. I use quart mayonnaise jars for storing large diecuts, short lengths of ribbon, sets of rubber stamps, etc. I always use the same type of mayonnaise so the jars are all the same. They are so pretty lined up on shelves holding all their treasures.

  • Gretchen

    April 11, 2009 at 7:45 am

    Another great use is to make individual emergancy care kits. Fill with bandages, ointment and other injery items and put them in your kids school backpacks so they always have something. Don’t forget to put in a few quarters for a phone call home if needed.

  • Home Ever After

    April 11, 2009 at 9:35 am

    @Shirley: What a great idea! I find myself deliberately buying certain foods also so that I can use the containers again later. Thank you so much for sharing your helpful method with us!
    Danelle, Home Ever After