Any creative ways to reuse empty milk jugs?

United States
July 5, 2007 5:50pm CST
We go through one gallon of milk daily, so we end up with lots of empty jugs in the recycle bin. Sometimes I wonder if there is a creative way to reuse milk jugs so that we don't have to recycle them all. I've thought about cutting down a few to store my extra craft beads or supplies. Does anyone else have any other creative or crafty ways to reuse empty milk jugs.
9 responses
• Philippines
5 Jul 07
hello beautyqueen26 how about a flower vase?or if its transparent you can put some pearls or rocks for display. Or just keep them in a secure place and in due time you'll find something useful for your milk jugs :)
1 person likes this
• United States
5 Jul 07
I love that idea!
@golfproo (1839)
• Canada
5 Jul 07
I use them to store nails and screws and other stuff in my workshop. They also make very good water containers when the milk is gone. lastly, they can be cut down, ventilated and turned into plant holders. cheers,
1 person likes this
• United States
5 Jul 07
Those are very clever ideas! I would have never thought of the plant holder idea. Maybe I'll use that one for my seedlings next years.
• United States
7 Jul 07
When I was growing up, my mom would wash the old milk jugs out very thoroughly, and we would use them to hold Kool-Aid or juice. This was much cheaper than buying new pitchers, and it let us have several flavors at the same time.
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
7 Jul 07
My mom did that too when we were young!
7 Jul 07
as i dont have a shower i use mine to rinse the bath out with or to wash my hair with. its much easier then buying one of those showerhead things that always comes off and soaks you :-)
@raychill (6525)
• United States
5 Jul 07
Storing water is always a good idea. Clean it out real well and then put some water in it. You don't need to keep it in the fridge or anything. Just imagine if your water main broke and you were out of water for a while. Milk jugs of water allow you to flush the toilet! (I should know as one winter our water was gone for like a week!) Storage also works. I know you have kids and they're always good for crafts. I'm sure any craft website would give you some ideas, like bird feeders or bird houses. Easter baskets, masks, halloween or christmas decorations...or easter decorations too. plenty of crafty things to do!
1 person likes this
@lilybug (21107)
• United States
1 Jul 08
When my son was in daycare when he was younger the kids all used an old milk jug to make their own Easter baskets. They were kind of cheesy looking, but the kids had a good time making them. The only other thing I do with them is rinse them out and fill them with water and use them to give the dogs water in the morning. I also have a few extras filled up because when the power goes out we have no water because the pump can't run.
@peavey (16936)
• United States
7 Jul 07
Cut the top off below the handle, take off the lid and use it for a utility or disposable funnel for oil or chemicals. The bottoms make interesting bowls for picnic or patio meals. Bottoms are good for any number of things like pet food or water dishes, or catchalls for the garage or shop. Knitters and crocheters can make use of milk jugs by cutting off the top just far enough to insert a skein of yarn. You can then thread the yarn end through the hollow handle and it will keep your yarn clean and tangle free as you work. The handle itself makes a fun bubble blowing pipe. Great bubbles!
• United States
6 Jul 07
When I was younger, I used them as bird feeders. I got a kick out of that. You could also cut most of the top of, fill it with soil and use it as a planter, you can start seeds in the spring if you're into gardening, or you can just keep plants in them.
@laydee (12798)
• Philippines
6 Jul 07
Wow nice ideas you guys. It's nice to learn from other people :)