12 Unexpected Ways to Recycle an Egg Carton

Instead of throwing away your egg cartons, try these organization hacks and gift ideas instead.

By: Ryan Reed

Show: HGTV Handmade

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Home for Your Hardware

This organization tip is useful and satisfying. Start by sorting your jump rings, nails, screws and other small hardware into piles. Open your egg carton and fill the cups with the hardware and use the flat side of the carton to store your larger items like scissors or a craft knife. Your new storage container should fit perfectly in a drawer for easy access whenever you want to work on a project.

Sew Amazing

Create a convenient and easy-to-use sewing kit with an egg carton to store all of your supplies. Get started by painting the top of the carton a fun color of your choice. Once dry, create a pin cushion using a scrap of fabric that matches your color scheme. Add stuffing and then wrap the pin cushion like a gift. Add a little bit of hot glue and don't worry if the back isn't perfect, you'll be gluing it to the top of the egg carton. Before doing that, though, glue a small piece of elastic to the top of the egg carton to make it easier to slip in scissors and seam rippers. Then add the pin cushion. Finish the project by filling the cups with pins, reels of thread, buttons and a tape measure. Don't forget to use fun letters to label your new sewing kit.

Perfect Paint Palette

This hack isn’t a long-term storage solution but it will come in handy when you’re working on a project that requires multiple shades of paint. Simply fill the cups with paint. You can even rest your brushes in the space between. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more practical paint storage solution.

Wild For Washi Tape

If you’re like us, you have a lot of washi tape lying around and you never can find a home for it in your craft space. We have the solution. Use egg cartons and organize your washi tape by color in the cups. When you’re done, use a label maker to identify each container so you know which one to reach for the next time you’re working on a project.

Tackle the Tangles

Spools of thread can easily turn into a tangled mess if you’re not careful. To avoid disaster, try this clever hack. This project works best with a plastic egg carton so that you can see through to all of the different colors of thread. Use a craft knife to poke holes in the top of the carton and then fill the cups with your spools of thread. An embroidery needle will help you pull the thread through the holes. Wrap up the project by trimming the thread to a practical length and then tie pulls at the end.

DIY Embroidery Kit

Egg cartons are also perfect for organizing your stash of embroidery thread. Keep a pair of scissors inside to complete the kit.

See More Photos: 30 Things You Shouldn't Throw Away + What to Do With Them

Holiday Decor Storage

The best way to prepare for the holidays is to store your decor properly the year before. If you have small, round ornaments, they will fit perfectly inside the cups of an egg carton. That's one less egg carton for the trash and your delicate ornaments will be safe until you're ready to start decorating again.

Hairband Holders

Hairbands are one of those small items that you either misplace or constantly have lying around in a cluttered mess. Avoid both of those problems by using an egg carton to drape your hairbands over the cup dividers.

Succulent Starter Kit

Looking for a unique gift to give? We recommend a succulent starter kit because they're easy to nurture and they look great. To make your own, fill the cups of your egg carton with Spanish moss. Then, nest succulent cuttings on top of the moss and finish the project by adding a care label made from chalkboard contact paper to the inside of the carton. If you're really in the giving mood, include a gardening tool for the recipient.

Sweet Treats

Sweet treats are another great gift idea and packaging delicious truffles, cupcakes or macarons couldn't be easier. Place a liner inside each cup of your egg carton and then add whatever goodie you want to gift. Write a message for the recipient and you're all done!

Tea-Themed Mother's Day Card

This clever craft is a great way to show mom how "tea-rrific" she is. Using an egg carton, a pipe cleaner and a few other materials, you can create a handmade Mother's Day card that she will cherish forever.

Egg-cellent Floral Vase

You wouldn't want to display an egg carton full of eggs but with a few simple steps, you can turn the ordinary into the colorful. Start by piercing the top of each raw egg with a pin and then carefully poke a hole with your finger to widen it. Empy the contents and rinse each egg with water until clean. Then add flowers, such as sweet pea and mimosa, to each egg, and gently pour potting soil inside the egg to keep the flowers in place. Display a single shell in an egg cup or arrange a dozen in a carton.

More Egg-cellent Ideas: A Dozen Fun Easter Ideas

From: HGTV Magazine

12 Unexpected Ways to Recycle an Egg Carton

Related To:

Shop This Look

Home for Your Hardware

Sew Amazing

Perfect Paint Palette

Wild For Washi Tape

Tackle the Tangles

DIY Embroidery Kit

Holiday Decor Storage

Hairband Holders

Succulent Starter Kit

Sweet Treats

Tea-Themed Mother's Day Card

Egg-cellent Floral Vase

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