Saturday, August 16, 2008

Save It Saturday: Milk Jugs

Milk jugs are one of those items that are usually recyclable at recycling facilities, but recycling uses energy, so we are also encouraged to reduce and re-use items. Today, I will share several ways I have come across to re-use milk jugs before sending them off to be recycled.

- Save the caps, 12 each of two different colors, and use them as checkers. You could also paint the caps, 12 black and 12 red, if you are so inclined.

- Cut the bottom off and use the jug to protect plants that are growing in the garden.

- Cut around the jug, 2-3 inches from the bottom. Put small holes or slits in the bottom and fill with soil. Use this as a seed starter. Use the top part of the jug to retain moisture by placing over the top of the starter.

- Cut a hole opposite the handle and use it to store your toilet brush.

- Make a catch game with 2 half-gallon jugs, 2 toilet paper tubes and a wad of aluminum foil. Directions can be found here.

- Follow these instuctions to make a bird feeder. You can also store the bird seed in another empty milk jug.

- Cut the bottom off and use the top as a funnel.

- With Halloween around the corner, here is a great way to make a skeleton decoration using milk jugs.

- Cut into a scoop shape, leaving the handle and top in tact and useas a scoop for rock salt, pet food, soil, etc. Also, nice for the kids when playing in the sand at the beach.

- Fill with water and use to weigh down tarps or pool cover.

- Decorate and use as a piggy bank. A great idea for the little ones.

- Fill with water and use as hand weights. The more water you use, the heavier the weight.

- Help your freezer run more efficiently by filling empty space with milk jugs full of water.

And last, but not least, my personal favorite, make a milk jug igloo as shown here.

Those are the ideas I have. How about you? What do you do to re-use your milk jugs?

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