For people new to the sustainability movement, it can be overwhelming to know how to get started, and cutting out single-use items is an easy place to begin. Unfortunately, this can often involve a purge mentality, disposing of unused “unsustainable” items and replacing them with new “sustainable” alternatives. As many low-waste lifestyle veterans know, the most sustainable option is to use what you already have, and swap to an eco-friendly alternative when the rest is gone. To these low-waste warriors, most “disposable” items get stashed away for later use or a worthy upcycling project, but who knows when and how that use will come? 

If you find yourself with an overflowing cabinet of washed takeout containers, drawers of cleaned ketchup and mustard bottles, or the dreaded plastic bag filled with plastic bags, this is just what you need! Here are some easy ways that you can reuse and repurpose some common household plastics to give them a second (or third or fourth) life.

Why Reuse and Not Recycle?

Plastic Free July is a campaign all about reducing the use of disposables and plastics to focus on sustainable, reusable options instead. And while you might think, “Oh don’t worry, that plastic bottle will get recycled”, are you sure about that? 

Since the beginning of plastic production in the 1950s up until today, of all plastic ever created (an estimated 8.3 billion metric tons), only about 9% has been successfully recycled. And in 2021, that recycling rate fell to only 5-6% of plastic in the US being recycled. There’s so much that goes into the messy politics of plastic production and pollution, such as reliance on the fossil fuel industry, the development of waste colonialism, and the current recycling system’s complete lack of transparency. Not only does this broken system make it confusing and hard for the average person to understand the severity of this problem, it proves to be a very unsustainable and false “solution” to the climate crisis.

While it’s hard to limit the amount of plastics being used in manufacturing and behind the scenes, you can try to limit your own involvement by skipping single-use plastics whenever possible. Despite the best intentions, sometimes traditionally “single-use” plastics do end up in our lives, but that doesn’t mean they have to be truly single-use! The best way to deal with the garbage already made is to make the most out of it by reusing and repurposing the plastic in our care.

Crinkly Chip Bags & Soft Bread or Frozen Food Bags

While shopping for food in bulk is a great way to reduce plastic waste, it can require a lot more time for shopping, planning, and cooking. Sometimes you’re on the go, running late, or just in the mood for a delicious bag of chips that don’t have to be DIY-d. Whether it’s from chips & salty snacks, cereals, or frozen fruits & veggies, these plastic bags can easily be given a second purpose!

Large chip & popcorn style bags can be reused as garbage bags themselves. Fill them up with any other waste you collect throughout the week, fold the opening closed several times, and place inside another reused bag to keep everything from spilling out. If you’re headed on a walk or hike, bring an empty chip bag (along with some gloves or trash picker) and pick up any litter you see along the way! This way, you’re (metaphorically) killing two birds with one stone, repurposing waste and cleaning up the environment around you.

Smaller & soft plastic bags are great for those with pets, and can be reused as poo bags on walks. It might gross some people out to think that a bag that once contained food in it is now touching dog-doo, but a bag is just a bag! It’s much better to repurpose something that’s destined for landfill and save yourself money, rather than specifically buying bags for the sole purpose of putting them in the trash. Just tie these bags around a leash handle and you’ll have them whenever the moment strikes. And if you’re wondering about compostable dog bags vs regular plastic ones, check out this great article by the composting experts (and dog enthusiasts) over at CompostableLA for their take on the debate.

Takeout Containers & Food Packaging

Like everyone else, we love supporting local small restaurants and having a good takeout at the end of a busy week, but what we don’t love is all the packaging waste that comes with it! While you can almost always skip the bag and utensils, or even bring in your own container for filling, oftentimes you’re stuck with the plastic packaging that the restaurant provides. Similarly, store bought containers of yogurt, miso, and sour cream are hard to come by in non-plastic containers, and making your own fermented or dairy goods has a fairly high learning curve, especially for beginners. But fret not, you can still make the best of the situation by reusing these containers at home and in the garden!

The easiest way to repurpose this food packaging is to simply fill it up with food again! Clear deli containers, yogurt tubs, and nut butter jars are great for storing leftovers in the fridge or dried goods in the pantry. Just be sure to label opaque containers so you don’t forget what’s inside and leave it to spoil! If you’ve got an overflowing fruit tree or vegetable patch, you can always preserve these fresh ingredients [link to freezer preservation] for year-round use by storing them in the freezer. Perfect for freezing chopped produce, fresh squeezed juices, or homemade fruit & pumpkin purees, remembering to leave some extra room in the container for the expanding liquids.

Alternatively, you can reuse takeout and grocery containers to DIY yourself some gardening supplies. Solid clamshell containers can be separated and placed under pots to make free plant saucers, which help your plants retain moisture and key nutrients. Taller containers can be made into pots themselves, simply poke a few holes at the bottom for drainage, and place the matching lid underneath as a saucer. If you’re already stocked up on pot and saucers, toss a few clean rocks into a semi-shallow takeout container, add in clean water, and presto!, you’ve got a bee bath & wildlife drinking fountain!

Takeout Sauce & Condiment Containers

With takeout containers come even more of those tiny little cups for sauces, salsas, and other condiments. Luckily, these cups are the perfect size for storing and organizing all sorts of bits and bobs, making them easy to repurpose!

These little cups are perfect for traveling, helping you store weekend-sized amounts of your favorite lotions, serums, and soaps. Pop a mini soap bar (or small soap scraps) into one of these cups to keep the moisture and residue from getting onto other toiletries. Fill up a cup with a week’s worth of vitamins, supplements, or medication to save space compared to the larger original bottles they come in, and stow in your backpack or bag for easy access. Alternatively, use the cups for organizing jewelry, keeping small bits like necklaces, rings, and earrings from getting lost in the suitcase. They can even be used to help keep earbud wires from getting tangled up during travel!

For the backyard garden fanatic, these cups can be a great way to store all of your self-harvested seeds from the previous year for future planting. As a bonus, the clear plastic cups and stackable shape make organizing the seeds easy! Just be sure to store them in a cool, dry, and dark area to prevent the seeds from sprouting on their own or baking in the sunlight.

Cleaning & Bathroom Spray Bottles

Spray nozzles commonly found on cleaning supplies and beauty packaging are a desirable piece of waste to reuse in your own DIY-ing discoveries. Before reusing these bottles and spray nozzles, be sure to thoroughly clean them to remove any of their previously held chemicals.

While on the subject of cleaning, spray bottles can be refilled with cleaning solutions that are less chemical dependent, but still get your surfaces clean! For general multi-purpose cleaning, mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle, and you’re ready to go. The combination of natural cleaners in spray bottles has the added benefit of eliminating the amounts of harsh chemicals being aerosolized and inhaled in your home. You can DIY up some natural home cleaning supplies like these, or head to your local refillery and see what they have to offer.

Spray bottles can also make the perfect misters for high-humidity indoor plants. Just fill up the cleaned bottle with water, and give your plants the shower they deserve! Misting your plants this way can help the leaves from turning brown, prevent overwatering, and save electricity compared to running plug-in humidifiers. For outdoor gardeners, use these bottles to make your own natural pesticides, fungicides, or insecticides to help you and your garden thrive. Here are some ideas for natural insect repellants to help protect your plants, a solution to help remove powdery mildew from plant leaves, and even homemade mosquito and bug spray that’s chemical free.

Condiment, Hot Sauce, & Squeeze Bottles

It’s quite hard to find condiments like mustard, ketchup, or your favorite hot sauce in glass bottles or in a refillable capacity, so most of the time you’re stuck with the plastic container that they come in. However, you can still make great use of these bottles, rather than throwing them away!

One of the best ways to reuse these bottles is to make your own version of the good, whether it be hot sauce or mustard, and refill the original bottle. The homemade varieties typically won’t have the preservatives of their mass manufactured counterparts, so be sure to make smaller batches that you can consume before they spoil.

Speaking of refills, these squeeze bottles can be perfect for bringing to a refillery and stocking up on your favorite lotions, serums, soaps, washes, and what-nots. Just be sure to clean them thoroughly before refilling (you don’t want your new face wash accidentally mixing with leftover sriracha)! If you don’t have a use for the bottle, see if your refillery has an empty bottle collection for others to borrow from, as someone else could find it useful.

Lastly, if you’re feeling crafty, save your squeeze bottles for some homemade summer projects like tie-dying! Not only will you be able to get a second use out of the containers, but tie-dying and altering clothing is a great (and cheap) way to upcycle and revamp your worn out and under-appreciated garments without supporting the fast fashion industry.

Even More Ideas

Still have more leftover plastic laying around the house? Here are some quick and easy ways to reuse more commonly found single-use items! 

• Any bags with zip-top closure (like those from tortillas or shredded cheeses) can be washed and reused in the fridge, freezer, or counter for storing other fresh or homemade foods, and meal prepping for the weeks ahead

• Toothbrushes can be reused for getting into grout and tight corners for household cleaning, spot cleaning clothing or shoes for stain removal, or even as a bottle brush to clean out small jars and bottles (run it through the dishwasher to sanitize it first)

• Old synthetic sponges can be used for cleaning floors and bathrooms, or can be torn up and used in arts & crafts or painting projects for a nice texture

• Save the rubber bands that come on produce like broccoli, asparagus, and carrots for standard rubber band needs around the house or for upcoming tie-dying projects

• Tofu containers (similar to other resealable food containers) can be repurposed as small planters or saucers, or as a container for collecting and drying fruits and flowers prior to collecting seeds

• Plastic utensils can be stored in a purse, backpack, or car for reusing when eating on the go, or repurpose them at home as plant identifier tags

• Flat gelato spoons can be reused as plant identifier tags, a paint mixer tool for arts & crafts, or for applying your favorite face mask or refillable cream deodorants

• Refill plastic beverage bottles with water and store them in your car or backpack for emergencies, you’ll never know when you, your pet, or someone else might need extra water, so it’s a great to have some stashed away

• Lotion & soap dispensers with pump tops are perfect for refilling at your local refillery & low-waste shop. Just bring the bottles in, tare weight them, and fill ‘em up!

Think of any other ways to repurpose these items or other common forms of household plastics? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

For Further Reading on Plastic Pollution: