16 Genius Ways to Re-Purpose Trash From Around Your Home

Hip2BeHome may earn a small commission via affiliate links in this post. Read our full disclosure policy here.

More Home Tips & Ideas

ways to repurpose trash – removing a candle label

Turn trash into treasure!

Here are some fun and inspiring ideas on turning things you’d ordinarily toss in the trash into something useful! Saves money and the planet all at the same time! Many of these 16 ideas are easy to accomplish, too.


ways to repurpose trash – wrapping storage boxes

1. Reuse shoe boxes for stylish storage.

Before tossing away a thick shoe box or greeting card box, consider using it for office or craft room storage. I covered these bulk greeting card boxes in stylish shelf liner paper, and I use them in my office area as pretty yet functional storage!


ways to repurpose trash – reusing pill bottles

2. Make a mini first aid kit from a pill bottle.

Re-purpose prescription pill bottles into mini first aid kits by including a few bandages, antiseptic wipes, and some allergy or pain relievers.


ways to repurpose trash – three toilet paper tube wire organizers

3. Organize household cords.

Use paper rolls to keep all your electrical cords labeled and organized. I embellished mine with duct tape and scrapbook paper.


ways to repurpose trash – candle jars holding cotton and cotton swabs

4. Re-purpose empty candle jars.

I added pretty knobs to the tops of these Bath & Body Works candle jars for easy and adorable bathroom storage! Check out these directions for cleaning out candles (and more ideas for re-purposing candles).


ways to repurpose trash – storing snacks in clean plastic food jars

5. Use food containers for on-the-go snacks.

Re-purpose smaller plastic food containers as convenient and portable food storage for snacks. Keep them in your pantry or take snacks to go in your purse, diaper bag, or to the beach!


ways to repurpose trash – mason jars reused for pencils and stamps

6. Organize with Mason jars.

Use Mason jars or glass food container jars to organize everything from craft and office supplies to pantry items! They are so versatile and can serve so many purposes.


ways to repurpose trash – plastic sacks in a baby wipes container

7. Store plastic bags in wipes containers.

An empty wipes container makes a great way to travel with trash sacks or empty grocery bags for the beach or when camping. When empty, use it to keep wet bathing suits separate as well.


ways to repurpose trash – Mason jar with a pin cushion and sewing supplies

8. Stick with this pinworthy Mason jar.

How cute is this Mason jar pin cushion and mending kit?! I created this cute pin cushion in about 10 minutes with this fun tutorial – all I did was hot glue a ball of cotton filling and a piece of fabric to a Mason jar lid and then placed my sewing items inside!


ways to repurpose trash – reusing a coffee can for diaper wipes

9. Re-purpose a coffee container into a wipes holder.

Reuse those red over-sized plastic coffee containers to store your homemade baby wipes made from a roll of paper towels (instructions here).


ways to repurpose trash – handwashing station with an old laundry liquid bottle

10. Create a DIY hand washing station.

Keep your campsite or outdoor party organized with a smart hand washing station. Fill an empty and clean detergent container with water, and use the spout for hand washing.


ways to repurpose trash – washi tape on a tin can holding pencils

11. Craft a Washi tape pencil holder.

Recycle tin cans by covering them with different colored Washi tape. Group them together for stylish and functional pencil and office supply organizing.

Speaking of Washi tape, did you see this post?


ways to repurpose trash – decorated boxes for desktop storage

12. Re-purpose cereal boxes.

There’s more to cereal boxes than the toy surprise! Use the empty containers to create a pretty and functional desk organizer like the one seen here.


ways to repurpose trash – mod podge coasters

13. Make DIY beer coasters.

Save the cardboard boxes from your favorite brands of beer and use them to make these unique drink coasters.


ways to repurpose trash – using aluminum can tabs for hanging clothes

14. Use aluminum tabs in the closet.

These aluminum tabs double your hanging space by allowing you to stack hangers! So smart and easy!


ways to repurpose trash – storage lids on a cd rack

15. Keep a lid on your old CD storage rack.

Don’t toss that old CD rack! Instead, use it to keep unruly storage container lids in order!


ways to repurpose trash – chip clips from hangers

16. Re-purpose in a pinch with pant hangers.

Plastic pant hangers can easily be re-used as chip clips. Consider using one as a clever cookbook holder while making a recipe too!


Lina (lina@hip2behome.com) is an amazing content creator at Hip2BHome! She loves cookingthrift store shopping, and DIY projects.

10 Storage Solutions ONLY $1 Each at Dollar Tree


About the writer:

Lina has a Bachelor's Degree from Northern Arizona University with 11 years of blogging and photography experience having work featured in Today.com, Martha Stewart, Country Living, Fox News, Buzzfeed, and HGTV.


Join The Discussion

Comments 6

  1. Lesli

    So many clever ideas!! I plan to use some of these!! Thanks.

    • Lina D (Hip2Save Sidekick)

      Oh thanks so much Lesli!

  2. Andrea

    Lina, I always enjoy your recipes and crafts. These ideas are smart and I plan on using the hangers for the recipe book and chips’ clips. I recently cleaned out a closet and was going to donate some hangers but will hold onto a couple to repurpose. Thanks!

    • Lina D (Hip2Save Sidekick)

      Thanks so much Andrea for the sweet comment!

  3. donna

    I love these ideas. I throw so many of these things away without thinking. Thanks.

    • Lina D (Hip2Save Sidekick)

      Oh you’re so welcome Donna! Thanks for stopping by!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

OOPS! Be sure to login or register to access this feature. It's FREE!

Forgot Password?

Don't have an account? Register

Forgot Password

Don't have an account? Register

Become a HipInsider

Don't Miss Out! Join our large community of Insiders - it's totally free! Once you join, you'll be able to save your favorite finds in your HipList and rate posts! What are ya waiting for?!



Already have an account? Login

Thank you for rating!

Would you also like to leave us a comment?