Mining Your Trash

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What trash do you normally throw out that could be used for toys, craft projects, or organization?

Look at things in a whole new light. Be creative. Before you throw it out, think "How can I use this?" or "What could I use this for?"

Could a broken item have some good parts left that could be used for something else?

Here are some possible items:

• Plastic containers with lids
Stacking containers (fit inside each other and can be stacked)
Storing small pieces of toys or puzzles
• Baby wipe plastic containers
• Tops of bottles and spray containers -- anything colorful but still large enough that it can't be put into the mouth
• Plastic milk jugs
Cut off to get a container
Cut apart and use as plastic material
Cut out "silverware" for a play kitchen
• 1/2 gallon paper containers
Make large blocks.
Cut off at about 4". Add dirt and plant seeds.
• Tops of bottles and spray containers -- anything colorful but still large enough that it can't be put into the mouth
• Paper towel rolls
• Toilet paper rolls
• Cereal boxes
Cardboard
Magazine containers
• Egg cartons
sorting
• Buttons from worn out clothing
• Broken small appliances
Use for parts to create new things or inventions

Please check out Mining Your Junk Mail page or Play Materials for other ideas.

You probably have your own ideas for what to do with your trash. You may have thought of a new use for the things you throw away that I never would have come up with. Please take time to share with us, and I will share it with everyone.

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Additional Play Materials Resources

Play Materials
Ideas for cheap play materials to use with your children.

Mining Your Junk Mail
How to look at your junk mail as a gold mine for materials for kids toys, activities, and crafts.

Stickers
How to find and create stickers that children will love to play with.

Purchased Items
Recommended purchased items that can be used to create kid's toys, activities, or crafts.

Do you have some items to recycle and need some ideas of what you can do with them? Check out Trash Matcher.