Coffee cans

**baxjul** · 03-05-2006, 03:07 PM

What are some ways that you re-use your coffee cans? I'm sick of just throwing them into recycling, what else can I do with them?

**FrugalMomof3** · 03-05-2006, 03:16 PM

Here's stuff we do....

Cover them with a pretty fabric and make a BUTT can for cigarette butts, put some kitty litter in them for putting out the butts.

They can also be used to store screws and nails and stuff like that, you can even make a money jar... glue the lid down, cut a slit in the center of the lid and waala you have a coin jar which you can decorate as well.

**Hollyhandi** · 03-05-2006, 04:10 PM

I use them to store things in. (like my packages of Koolaid)
Folgers ones Ithat have handles we use for feed in the barn.
Money cans, store nuts and screws, buttons, pens and pencils,

**Laurie in Bradenton** · 03-05-2006, 04:14 PM

We spray paint them with leftover colors from projects and use them in our trucks (3). Each truck has a homemade wooden painted box in it. Inside these boxes are the cans all marked as to contents.
One carries 2 pair of study work gloves (helpful when changing tires or gathering roadside items). The gloves are also gathered from the roadside no law ever said work gloves had to match. We use a large can to carry a load of kitty litter (useful insnow and when there is a greasy mess). Another can carries a homemade first aid kit (always useful). Another large can carries a coil of rope. The cans have all come in handy just having them in the truck to carry water when over heated, to dig dirt with when truck was stuck, to gather the suddenly found berry patch.
My sister modified this system for her car using an old computer paper box.

Laurie in Bradenton

**slowtypinwoman** · 03-05-2006, 04:19 PM

I use them to pour my grease into. Not too creative, I know.

**madhen** · 03-05-2006, 04:37 PM

My coffee comes in bags, so no coffee can use in my household. My father used to use them in the garage to store nails, screws, washers, etc.

**schellie69** · 03-05-2006, 05:02 PM

I use them, for holding hair stuff, Pens, and for grease, I also use them for small gardening tools also for out side toys, and side walk chalk, I use small ones for scoops for dog food and cat food I also dress them up and let the kids use them for crayons markers ect. They also hold buttons well. you can store just about anything that needs a container. Decorate and use for cansters for floor sugar ect...

**babetteq** · 03-05-2006, 06:35 PM

I use them for my oatmeal, flour, sugar, cornmeal, barley etc...

sewing stuff

crochet hooks

craft supplies (the glue sticks and scissors can always be found now!)

Pens, pencils erasers, rulers

beans

coffee (imagine!)

extra spices and herbs

clothespins

laundry soap

all my sos pads so that they don't rust under the sink.

cookies.... you name it

Pretty much everything in my house is in a coffee tin or a mason jar (particularly cracked or chipped ones). why pay for storage systems?

babs

**babetteq** · 03-05-2006, 06:38 PM

ps:

fill a tin coffee tin (as opposed to the plastic) with H2O and freeze it. Then punch holes in a pleasing pattern around it. The more holes the better. Put a tealight or votive candle (or, more often a candle stump) and put it outside! Very nice for the winter. If it's windy, just put some tin foil on top of it. I lined my driveway for christmas with this. It was lovely. You don't see the tins as much as you see the little bright patterns up the drive.

babs

**Telephus44** · 03-05-2006, 07:17 PM

I don't buy my coffee in cans anymore, but when I did I used them for two things:

1. Plants - punch a few holes in the bottom and you have something you can grow plants in.
2. A humidifer in winter - fill the can with water and set it on top of a radiator.

I did both of these when I was in college and it helped out a lot with my dorm room environment.

**frugalfarmwife** · 03-05-2006, 07:28 PM

They can also be used in the garden for watering, punch a small hole in the bottom and bury the can 2/3 in the ground next to plants, just fill the can with water and it will slowly water deep in by the roots.

kj

**baxjul** · 03-05-2006, 07:52 PM

Great ideas everyone! Why didn't I think to put cookies etc. in them?

I will now!!!!!!

**jzkitten** · 03-05-2006, 10:29 PM

I've covered the metal ones and used them for storing kitchen utensils in. I've used one for a knife block, used styrofoam in the bottom and slit holes in the lid. Also hide my cookies and peanut butter in the plastic ones-DS would eat us out of house and home if I didn't put them up where he couldn't find them!

**Missy** · 03-05-2006, 11:21 PM

I use those, baby formula cans, nut cans, etc for putting greasy things, bones etc into so that the garbage doesn't smell like ....

, I dump dh's ashtray into them too. That way i can put the lid on and not smell the ick until the trash goes out. Also I keep a lg one, lined with a small shopping bag, on the kitchen counter for tossing junk into during the day. I have a large lined one here under my desk for doing quick scrap/wrapper tosses here and there too.

**sunshine** · 03-06-2006, 10:13 AM

Hobo stoves - we use when camping, etc.

painted or decorated to make gift "boxes" for giving

stilts for kids-- punch holes near the solid bottom, thread a rope and tie into a loop .