Chloe Zhang
Plastic yogurt containers are versatile and can be reused for various purposes. They can be used for food storage, arts and crafts, gardening, and even as a substitute for takeout containers. While recycling is an option, there are concerns about the actual recycling rates of these containers, with some advocating for limiting plastic production instead. With a bit of creativity, these containers can find new life in your home or garden, contributing to a more sustainable lifestyle.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reuse | Containers can be reused for food storage, arts and crafts, gardening, etc. |
| Recycle | Containers are made from polypropylene, which is technically recyclable, but may not actually be recycled. |
| Reduce | To reduce plastic pollution, the priority should be to limit plastic production. |
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What You'll Learn
Use them for arts and crafts
Plastic yoghurt containers are a versatile resource for arts and crafts projects. They can be used for a variety of creative activities, especially for children. Here are some ideas for using yoghurt containers for arts and crafts:
Storage and Organisation
Yoghurt containers can be used for storing art supplies, such as crayons, paintbrushes, beads, and other craft items. They are also great for organising small items like paper clips, push pins, and rubber bands in an office or craft room.
Painting and Decorating
Children can use yoghurt containers as paint pots for their artwork. You can also decorate the containers themselves by painting the outside, covering them with craft paper, or gluing on items such as shells, glitter, or flowers to create a mosaic effect.
Bracelets and Jewellery
Yoghurt containers can be cut into strips and decorated with fabric and glue to create bracelets and bangles. You can also make spider web plastic bottle bracelets, perfect for Halloween.
Seedling Pots and Gardening
Yoghurt containers can be transformed into pots for seedlings and indoor plants. Simply poke or drill drainage holes in the bottom of the containers and fill them with potting soil. This is a great way to teach children about gardening and nature.
Homemade Ice Pops
Fill yoghurt containers with juice or an ice cream mixture, cover with aluminium foil, and insert an ice cream stick for a fun and healthy treat.
Other Creative Ideas
- Use yoghurt containers as a mould for soap-making.
- Create a homemade drum or maracas using a yoghurt container and some beans or rice.
- Make a simple vase by decorating a yoghurt container with a paper napkin applique.
- Turn a yoghurt container into a decorative basket for household storage by painting it and covering it with craft paper.
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Store food and leftovers
Plastic yoghurt containers can be used to store food and leftovers. They are great for storing dry foods like flour, rice, and beans. You can also use them to store leftovers in the fridge or freezer, such as soups, sauces, and bone broth. If you're sending guests home with leftovers after a dinner party, yoghurt containers are perfect for that too.
Yoghurt containers are also handy for storing egg shells before composting them. If you're into gardening, you can use the containers for seed sprouting and planting. Cut a small hole in the top, fill the bottom with seeds, and shake to spread them.
For those who like to make their own yoghurt, you can reuse yoghurt containers to store your homemade yoghurt. This is a great way to reduce your plastic waste. You can also use the containers to proof pizza dough or store other foods like salads and toppings when packing a lunch.
When using plastic yoghurt containers for food storage, ensure they are clean and dry before filling them with food items. It is also important to note that some plastics may contain toxic additives, so it is advisable to research the safety of reusing specific yoghurt containers for food storage.
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Make a lunch bag for salads
Making a lunch bag for salads is a great way to reuse plastic yogurt containers. Here's a detailed guide on how to do it:
Firstly, you'll need a few 32 oz plastic yogurt containers. These can be put to good use instead of being thrown away or recycled. Start by designating one container for your lettuce and any other salad base greens. You can also add other ingredients that are not toppings or dressings, such as chopped vegetables like cucumbers or tomatoes.
Next, use another container for your salad toppings. This could include grilled chicken slices, peppers, sliced onions, or any other toppings you prefer. You can also use smaller yogurt containers for salad dressings or sauces, ensuring they have a tight-fitting lid to prevent leaks.
Now it's time to create your custom lunch bag. You can use old clothing, drapes, or bedding to sew a bag that will hold your plastic tubs. Ensure it's big enough to accommodate the tubs and any accessories you'll need, such as a drink bottle, flatware, and cloth napkins. You can get creative with the design and choose a fabric that suits your style.
Finally, assemble your salad lunch bag by placing the containers inside the custom bag. You can also add an ice pack to keep your salad fresh and chilled until lunchtime. This reusable lunch bag will not only help reduce waste but also provide a convenient way to transport your salad, ensuring all your ingredients stay fresh and separate until you're ready to enjoy your meal.
There are also other ways to reuse plastic yogurt containers, such as storing flour, rice, or dry beans, using them for seed planting, or even as paint buckets for arts and crafts projects. If you're feeling adventurous, you could even try making your own yogurt to eliminate the need for plastic containers altogether!
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Use them for gardening
Plastic yoghurt containers can be used for a variety of gardening purposes. Firstly, they can be used as seed planters. Simply poke or drill drainage holes in the bottom of the container and fill with soil and seeds. You can separate seeds into different cups to grow a variety of produce. Once your seedlings have matured and you've transferred them to a larger pot, you can rinse and stack the yoghurt containers to reuse for next season's gardening.
Another way to use yoghurt containers for gardening is as a mini compost bin. Poke holes in the bottom of the container, add your food scraps, and place the container in a garden bed to decompose. The nutrients will drain into the soil and boost your plants. You can also use yoghurt containers to collect food scraps while you're cooking, and then transfer them to your larger compost pile.
You can also use yoghurt containers as seed spreaders. Cut a small hole in the top, fill the bottom with seeds, and shake to spread them over your garden.
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Make bracelets
Making bracelets out of plastic yoghurt containers is a fun and eco-friendly craft that can be enjoyed by adults and children alike. It is a great way to repurpose yoghurt containers, which would otherwise be thrown away, and can be customised to fit wrists of all sizes.
To make a yoghurt container bracelet, you will need a yoghurt container, ribbon or yarn, and a hot glue gun. First, cut out strips from the yoghurt container. The width of the strips can be adjusted to fit your wrist size. If you need a larger bracelet, you can use a 24-ounce yoghurt container and cut the strip to the desired length. For smaller wrists, a 6 to 8-ounce container should suffice.
Next, cut a long piece of ribbon or yarn, approximately 2 to 3 feet in length. Hot glue one end of the ribbon to the plastic strip so that it is perpendicular to the plastic. Slowly start wrapping the ribbon around the plastic strip, adding small dots of glue every few passes to secure it in place. Make sure the ribbon strips slightly overlap so that they completely cover the plastic.
Once the entire plastic strip is covered, hot glue the end of the ribbon to the interior of the bracelet and cut off any remaining ribbon or yarn with scissors. Allow the glue to cool and harden, and your bracelet is ready to wear!
You can customise your bracelet by using different coloured ribbons or yarn, adding decorations, or cutting the plastic strip into wavy lines instead of straight lines for a unique pattern. This craft is a great way to teach children about the importance of reducing waste and finding new uses for old items.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic yogurt containers can be reused for various purposes, including food storage, arts and crafts, gardening, and more.
Polypropylene, the type of plastic used in yogurt containers, is considered "widely recyclable". However, industry experts and environmental advocates argue that polypropylene recycling rates are lower than suggested and that the plastic is often not actually recycled due to the presence of toxic additives.
Some creative ways to reuse plastic yogurt containers include using them as seed planters, food scrap collectors, storage for spices or other small items, paint buckets, or even turning them into bracelets or candle holders.
