Green Guide: Making the most out of empty juice cartons

Green Guide

In this day and age, where everyone is mapping their carbon footprint we all should live by the pledge - Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. It literally means getting maximum out of all the items in use. We have all heard about recycling glass bottles, newspapers converted into paper bags, converting kitchen waste into garden fertilizer and so on. What can we do with an empty juice carton? Apart from throwing it in the bin? Well! you will be amazed to know that it can be reused as a Candle mold, a bird feeder, a magazine holder and the list is endless if you put your thinking cap on. Image Credit

jucie carton decoration

The Trash

What we thought is a trash (empty juice carton) can be turned to treasure. Most of us automatically throw the empty carton into the garbage can. But, these empty juice cartons can be transformed into useful items, toys and decorative knick-knacks. On a whole it can be reused to save energy, money,prevent pollution and safe habitat everyone.

Your Treasure

Here, you will find some very creative uses of these empty juice cartons. Remember to rinse, thoroughly clean and dry the inside of the cartons before trying these. All you will need is an empty juice carton, scissors and adhesive tape.

1. Seed Starter:

To use a carton as a seed starter simply cut the empty juice carton into half, lengthwise or breadthwise depending on what type of seed you would like to start. Make holes at the base for excess water to drain. Add soil and sprinkle some seeds, and viola! Your seed starter is ready.

2. Magazine Holder:

Trim the Panel of the empty juice carton. You can design your magazine holder as you like it. Try some handmade paper, stack straws close to each other to make it look like it is made of cane or simply cover with thermacol balls or wood shavings. That's creativity at its best!

3. Liquid fertilizer container:

After rinsing and drying the empty juice carton, fill it with right proportion of fertilizer and water. Shake well. That's it! Easy right? You can use it when adding fertilizer to plants from the seed starter. Ensure to replace the cap tightly after use.

4. Candle Mold:

Cut the head of the empty juice carton. Apply a layer of petroleum jelly at the base of the empty juice carton ensuring it is well coated. Then place a candle taper at the base anchoring it with some melted wax. Hold the wick with one hand as you pour in the melted wax with your other hand. You can also try layers of different colors, add some dried flowers or aromatic oils. Ahh! here's you beautiful square candle.

6. Hanging bird feeders:

Melt some old kitchen fat in a saucepan and add enough bird feed to hold the ingredients together. Keep the Warm birdfeeder inside a clean empty juice carton and place a heavy loop of string on top of the feed. Allow the feed to dry thoroughly. Once the feed is dry you can peel of the carton and hang the feeder on a tree or in your balcony.

7. To store kitchen scraps for compost:

Remove the pour spout and head of the empty juice carton carefully, so that you can place food scraps inside the empty juice carton with an ease. You can clutch a cloth pin at the top to seal and prevent any insects or odors. When the cartons is full simply add it to compost and recycle the carton.

8. Making ice blocks for parties:

To keep your cold drinks chilled or to simply play around with these ice blocks. All you need to do is thoroughly rinse the empty juice cartons and fill them with water, place in the freezer. Once ice simply peel them off! I told you its very easy.

9. Wrap-around for your vegetable garden:

To prevent grubs and cut-worms from killing your young tomato and pepper plants again you can use the empty juice cartons. Wondering how?? Just cut off the head and the base of the carton and when you have watered the plants push the hollow carton into the ground around the plants.

There are numerous ways to reuse and recycle these empty juice cartons and thus reduce the amount of waste added to our surroundings. So, now you know what you must do with empty juice cartons apart from throwing them in the bin!

Picture Gallery

Juice cartons household items