It’s no secret that plastic cups aren’t the most environmentally-friendly option for beverage containers. But what can you do when you’re hosting a party and don’t have any reusable cups on hand? Check out these 40 brilliant ways to reuse plastic cups and help reduce your impact on the planet!
Table of Contents
1. Seedlings
To start seeds, fill paper cups with potting mix and plant the seeds according to their requirements. When the seedlings are ready for transplanting, remove them from the cup and garden away!
2. Create a Brooder Using Plastic Cups and Newspaper
Plastic cups and some newspapers make a simple homemade brooder. To make one, cut the bottom off of a cup and slip it over the head of a heat lamp, allowing some space for air to circulate. As long as you keep the area around the lamp clean and free from droppings, this is an easy way to help hatch chicks or baby ducks.
3. Craft Something Creative and Useful
When you’re finished with your plastic cups, think twice before throwing them away. There are plenty of practical and creative ways to reuse them — or even recycle them for something completely different. For example, chop off the top section and use it as a funnel in the garden, cut out sections of the cup to create stencils for painting, or use them to organize your tubes of paint.
4. Milk Jug Bird Feeders
Rather than throwing away plastic milk jugs when they’re empty, save them and turn them into bird feeders. Cut out the sides of the jug, leaving only the bottom and top portions connected in a cone-like shape. Flip it over and cut a small hole just big enough for a bird to fit through in the bottom of the jug. Fill with seeds and hang them in your garden or outside your windows to attract birds.
5. Plastic Bottle Trellis
Plastic bottles, such as two-liter soda bottles, make sturdy tomato trellises. Cut off the top of the bottle, leaving you with just the curved section of the base. Push it into the ground near your plants and weave the vines through the bottles to support them as they grow.
6. Kitchen Compost Keeper
Plastic cups can be used as kitchen compost keepers. Cut off the bottom of a cup and place it upside-down in the cabinet or pantry of your kitchen. When it’s full of scraps, dump it into your compost pile!
7. Plastic Bottle Potato Sticks
Plastic bottles are great for growing potatoes vertically. All you need is a few plastic bottles and some twine to stake them with. Cut off the bottom of each bottle — this will be the top of your vertical row — and stand them up in a straight line. Thread twine through the open end, knotting it on both sides to keep it from slipping back out and tie each bottle to your next one until you reach the end or have filled all available space with bottles.
8. Greenhouse for Seedlings
Plastic cups can make an easy DIY greenhouse for seedlings. Cut off the bottom of a cup and place it over your young plants for protection against bugs, animals, wind, rain, etc.
9. Plastic Cup Seed Starters
Fill plastic cups with potting soil or compost, making sure to leave about 1 cm of space at the top. Plant your seeds at the recommended depth per species, and once they sprout, remove the cup carefully — taking care not to disturb the delicate roots.
10. Plastic Cup Herb Garden
Plastic cups make great herb gardens! Remove the lids and cut off the bottom of each cup (or score them with a knife). Fill the cups with potting soil and plant your herbs. Cut holes in the sides of each cup to allow for growth without disturbing the roots, and replace the lids when not in use to protect from pests or moisture loss.
11. Plastic Cup Flower Pots
Plastic cups can be used as miniature flower pots too. Cut off the bottom of the cup to create a planter with drainage holes, place it in soil and plant your flowers or veggies! You can also use one of these clever DIY self-watering planters instead.
12. Plastic Cup Bird Feeders
Plastic cups make great DIY bird feeders! Fill with birdseed, tie a string through the opening in the top, and hang it from a branch. You can also use a plastic bottle to make this fun suet bird feeder.
13. Plastic Cup Smoker for BBQs
Here’s another great way to reuse old plastic cups: turn them into a smoker for your next BBQ. To create this cool gadget, cut off the bottom of a cup and attach it to another cup with an attached handle using duct tape.
14. Plastic Cup Solar Oven
Plastic cups can be converted into easy-to-use solar ovens too! All you need is a few plastic cups, some aluminum foil, and a cardboard box. Cut out several squares of the foil large enough to cover the bottom of two cups each. Stack one cup inside another and place them in the center of the larger piece of foil. Add 3 or 4 more cups on top with their bottoms facing up, and then wrap the foil around the cups and place in a sunny spot. Place a brick, pot, or pan over the cups to help reflect the rays toward them, then wait for up to an hour or more for your food to cook!
15. Plastic Cup Mini Greenhouse
Plastic cups make great mini-greenhouses too. Cut off the bottom of the cup and place it upside-down over a young plant. To protect from frost, place another plastic cup with the bottom cut off over the top of the first one.
16. Gardening Gloves
Plastic cups can be used as DIY gardening gloves too! Cut off the bottom of the cup, use scissors to puncture some holes for ventilation, slip your hand inside and get to work! You can also use these clever DIY garden gloves with built-in water bottles for easy access.
17. Plastic Cups as Shoeboxes
Plastic cups can be used as mini shoeboxes. Cut off the bottom of each cup to create square storage containers for nuts, bolts, buttons, coins, etc. You can also use them to store beads and other craft supplies.
18. Plastic Cup Candle Chandelier
Turn a string of plastic cups into a beautiful chandelier for your next dinner party or a romantic evening, simply by cutting the bottom of each cup to create small candle holders.
19. Hanging Plastic Cup Lanterns
Plastic cups can be used as hanging lanterns. Place any size cup inside another and cut the base off — use tape to secure it in place. Punch a hole in the handle of the top cup and add a light source.
20. Plastic Cup Pendant Lamps
Plastic cups can be used as pendant lamps too! Cut off the bottom of the cup, thread string through to create your lamp cord, then thread a hook or dowel rod through each section.
21. Plastic Cup Lazy Susan
Plastic cups can be used as a DIY lazy susan. Cut off the bottom of the cup and turn it on its side, then place it in your pantry or cabinet to create an easy way to reach everything in the back!
22. Plastic Cup Spice Racks
Plastic cups can be used as spice racks too! Remove the bottom of the cup and add a peg hook for hanging.
23. Stackable Pet Food Storage
Plastic cups can be used to create stackable pet food storage containers. Cut off the bottom of each cup to create a lid, then cut two small pieces from another cup and use them to secure your stacked set.
24. Plastic Cup Craft Organizer
Plastic cups can be used as a DIY craft organizer too! Cut off the bottom of the cup and add a peg hook, then hang from a wall or inside a cabinet door. You can also attach a dowel rod to the top hole to create a hanging set that fits neatly into a small space.
25. DIY Corkboard
Plastic cups can be used to create a corkscrew corkboard too! Cut out the bottom of each cup and separate it into individual pieces, then use adhesives or skewers to secure them to your corkboard in any design you like.
26. Plastic Cup Vases
Plastic cups can be used as vases too! Cut off the bottom of the cup, then decorate with paint or markers to create a unique vase design. You can also wrap them in pretty paper for a stylish DIY gift idea.
27. Plastic Cup Can Covers
Cut off the bottom of each plastic cup to create a lid, then glue the lids to the bottom of your plastic soda bottle. Use tape or adhesive to secure them in place, then shake before opening for easier formula mixing!
28. Plastic Cup Rollers
Plastic cups can be used as DIY rollers too! Cut off the bottom of each cup and stack it inside another, flip over and use tape to secure it in place. You can also use these fun rollers for DIY marbles, playdough, or beads.
29. Plastic Cup Doorstops
Plastic cups can be used as a doorstop too! Cut off the bottom of each cup and stack it in place behind your open door, then wedge it at the base with a brick for added stability and safety.
30. Plastic Cup Plant Pots
Plastic cups can be used as DIY plant pots too! Cut off the bottom of each cup and place it in a muffin tin to create an easy way to organize your garden or houseplants, then use another cup as a dome to keep moisture in.
31. Plastic Cup Magnetic Organizer
Plastic cups can be used as a DIY magnetic organizer too! Cut off the bottom of each cup, then use adhesives or skewers to attach them to any metal surface, like your fridge or filing cabinet.
32. Plastic Cup Drain Stoppers
Another way to reuse plastic cups is as a DIY drain stopper. Cut off the bottom of each cup and stack it between your sink and overflow to keep water from spilling everywhere!
33. Plastic Cup Drying Rack
Plastic cups can be used as a DIY drying rack too! Just cut off the bottom of each cup and place it in a muffin tin to create a stylish and easy way to air dry hand-washed items like mugs and dishes.
34. Plastic Cup Ice Scrapers
Plastic cups can be used as DIY ice scrapers too! Cut off the bottom of each cup, then attach with adhesive or skewers for a quick and easy way to remove snow from your windshield.
35. Plastic Cup Apple Slicers
Plastic cups can be used as an apple slicer too! Just place your apple on the bottom of the cup, then use a craft knife to cut slices from top to bottom. A little water mixed with lemon juice will keep apples from browning too.
36. DIY Sprinkler
Plastic cups can be used as a DIY sprinkler too! Cut off the bottom of each cup, then cut in half. Stack them in place and use tape or adhesives to secure them, then attach them to your garden hose for added watering control.
37. Plastic Cup Wreath
Plastic cups can be used as a wreath too! Decorate with paint or markers, then use adhesives to attach them to any foam ring.
38. Plastic Cup Hockey Pucks
Cut off the bottom of each plastic cup, then stack two inside another for a fun DIY toy hockey puck. Tape together securely, then play your own backyard hockey game for tons of active fun!
39. Plastic Cup Candle Holders
Plastic cups can be used as a DIY candle holder too! Decorate with paint or markers, then use adhesives to attach them to the bottom of any small candle. This is a great way to reuse Christmas tree lights to transform your home for any holiday.
40. Kids’ DIY Weekend Box
Plastic cups can be used as a DIY weekend box too! Paint or decorate the top of each cup with markers, then use adhesives to attach lids (if you want). Fill with small toys and fun items for an awesome way to keep your kids busy on weekend days.
Conclusion
It’s easy to see that plastic cups are incredibly versatile, but the best part is they’re also super reusable. Try experimenting with these 40 brilliant ways to reuse your plastic cups again and again! Remember, if you don’t want to reuse your plastic cups at home or in crafts, make sure to always recycle them instead. No matter what you do, make sure to reduce, reuse, and recycle each day for a greener planet!
