I have started using empty yogurt cups for scoops. In the past, I had used everything from big spoons, child-size cups, and store bought ones. After they are empty, wash and dry them and use for pet food, flour, sugar, coffee - anything you need a scoop.
I have also used them for specific portions for desserts like pudding, applesauce, etc. Beats throwing them away. Oh, and you could use for starter pots for seeds!
By kathleen blakley from Shelbyville, IN
This page contains the following solutions.
When I purchase pudding, yogurt or even jello, I save the plastic containers and wash them thoroughly with soap and water. They are the right size to either put snack such as raisins or trail mix in for kids.
I love the idea of upcycling, dont you? I have discovered a great use for those empty individual fruit cups or applesauce containers. They make great ice cubes! The cubes last twice as long and I love them.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
What are some ways to recycle/reuse empty clean pudding cups? I am talking about the Hunt's Snack Pack pudding cups. I usually have 2 empty ones daily. I have thought of a few ideas to reuse a few but otherwise have just been recycling them on trash day.
My son was taking art classes and the art teacher used them for holding paints for the kids to dip in and to keep the paints separate!! So, we would save them for her and take them to class.
Thanks mobo for your great ideas. I also have 2 sister in laws that are teachers, one being a Kindergarten teacher, so perhaps I can offer to them. Sometimes I use them to hold a little bit of snack in when we travel. I also thought how they'd be fun for the kids in the bathtub to play with. They really seem to pile up tho and so most days I am just throwing in the recycling bin.
I've punched holes in the bottom and used to start seeds or for small seedlings.
Alternative uses for Pudding cups.
well if you could reseal the top and clean them out very well you could reuse for small food items like peanuts, small crackers .even refrigerater small amounts of vegetables
2-You could used them for to organizes your drawers again if you can find a way to reseal. Perhaps a cover of abit of a cereal box stapled .
In these cups you could put small nails ,Thumbtacks nuts bolts .whatever will fit,
3- I would immagine it is possible to make say Christmas tree decorations or other,with paint , and glitter .
4- How about freezing larger Ice cubes
5- Make Air freshener cups with Popurri or spices cover with seal cheesecloth .Again these cups can be decorated.
6- How about a grit dish for your parakeets. To hang the dish use abit of electrical wire around the lid to secure it to the cage. I am afraid adding a perch is too much but your birds will hang on to the sided or you could install a regular perch near it.
7- Use as a head for homemade say plastic cup clown dolls Take a large evil Styrofom cup decorate then add decorated with lid added secure the head with a piece of electrical wire add (Tie ) several lttle bells to the other end of the wire so you clown cup jiggles when if moves.
Thanks for all the ideas, Mr Thrifty! I had thought I might start making some instant pudding but my son can be sort of funny about how things look or smell and if it doesn't look like what he's used to, he might not eat. What I could do is save some of those empty pudding cups, make pudding myself and put in those cups and then hopefully he wouldn't know. He takes medication for hyperactivity and it is one that I can open and sprinkle.
I buy a big box of the Hunt's pudding cups at Sam's Club....there's 36 in the box and I figured it out to be .19 per cup which isn't bad and they don't need refrigeration. I send them to school with him for snack time.
I use mine to make ice cubes..
1. use to start seeds for transplanting
2. make large ice cubes-last longer
3. freeze gravies, sauces, broth, small amt veges, other left overs, etc. When solid, store in zipbag.
4. pre-set up those large vitamins and other suppliments-1 cup per day
5. jello molds
6. fill with cotton balls, q-tips, makeup sponges, etc for medicine chest, and store large package in closet
7. use as mold for bird-seed treats for bird feeding
8. refill with homemade puddings or fruitcups for at home use
9. use as popscicle molds for kiddies
*bathtub toys for kids
*I use some at home and at work to hold rubberbands, paperclips, etc
*could use near sewing machine for pins, etc
*they would be great for craft items like beads, etc
*a portable cup for your backpack or carry-on bag when traveling,in case you want a drink of water or need to take a pill
Don't buy pudding cups in the first place, then you won't be eating all those chemicals in the pudding and you won't be stuck with tons of plastic containers. Make a bowl of pudding and buy a few reusable containers to hold it.
RE: Uses for Pudding Cups
Post by TreeOH (1) | 07/24/2006
Don't buy pudding cups in the first place, then you won't be eating all those chemicals in the pudding and you won't be stuck with tons of plastic containers. Make a bowl of pudding and buy a few reusable containers to hold it.
In response to TreeOH....this seems like a good idea; however my son really likes the Hunt's SnackPack pudding. I use it to give him his medication. I suppose I could make up the pudding and then fill one of those empty containers; however I know he will smell of it to be sure it's what he likes and is used to. I have eaten this pudding myself and think it tastes good and it is quite handy and keeps well w/o refrigeration. I read the ingredients and didn't sound too bad....artificial flavors but nothing else sounded bad. Doesn't sound like it is loaded with chemicals. Homemade would probably be better but since I have to give him one every morning and he takes one to school ea day, I'm afraid I have to go with what he likes and will accept and what is easiest for me!
Debbie
Individual treat cups for gatherings like Sunday School, Homemakers group meetings, etc. For our church group meetings, some hostesses use cupcake paper liners, some purchase small dessert cups, etc. to hold small edible tidbits, for each person to take home after the meeting. The pudding cups could be used for this use, too. Make sure to take of all the package seal upon washing.
I punch holes in the bottom and use it for starter plants
I used pudding cups and the apple sauce cups for party favors at both daughters birthday parties. I filled them with candy and wrapped them in festive cellophane. I also made a tag that read "Thank you for coming to my birthday party. You made my day special."
I also use them to scoop cereal, flour, sugar, chocolate chips. When my husband or I make a fresh fruit salad, we use those cups as a serving. We use the pudding cups when we have ice cream, the portion size is perfect for all of us. The cups measure 1/2 cup.
Keep them and resuse them for ketchup, dressing, or salsa cups. Only fill them half full and if you need more refill the cups. That way you have a win win situation. You will be reusing the cups and also not wasting too much ketchup, dressing, salsa, ect. We have a great big stack of them that we use for just that purpose. The tiny pecan pie pans can be used in the same way also. Keep up the great work recycling. Take care!
Idea 1: My grandkids come over often & I'll make homemade chicken strips (corndogs or what have you) & they love that I make their plates super fun by putting several on each of their plates using the snack pack or any other empty small disposable container that I've painted or glittered for the different types of dipping sauce.
* I paint the outside of the containers with non toxic paint & seal it so it doesn't just come off easily & when washing I'm carful so they stay decorated. They also like taking them home & to use them & show their friends.
Idea 2: I once again paint, decorate, glitter them & use them for my small plants as trays.
* I will gift a lot of my starter plants or babies & put them in as decorative holders.
* Taco Bell's cheesey fiesta potatoes comes in a sturdy handy little container that has a lid & bottom perfect size for plant trays too that last well!
Thank you for the post & ideas.
Idea 1: My grandkids come over often & I'll make homemade chicken strips (corndogs or what have you) & they love that I make their plates super fun by putting several on each of their plates using the snack pack or any other empty small disposable container that I've painted or glittered for the different types of dipping sauce.
* I paint the outside of the containers with non toxic paint & seal it so it doesn't just come off easily & when washing I'm carful so they stay decorated. They also like taking them home & to use them & show their friends.
Idea 2: I once again paint, decorate, glitter them & use them for my small plants as trays.
* I will gift a lot of my starter plants or babies & put them in as decorative holders.
* Taco Bell's cheesey fiesta potatoes comes in a sturdy handy little container that has a lid & bottom perfect size for plant trays too that last well!
Thank you for the post & ideas.
Ways to reuse Jello and Jello pudding cups. Post your ideas below.
I reuse the little cups that jello or pudding comes in to start my seedlings. I have also used the caps off laundry detergent. Both are reuseable.
By PHYLLIS
Use them in kid's crafts for paints, etc.
I used to re-use the plastic baby food containers with lids on them and make regular jell-o or pudding and put into those cups. They had a lid on them already and were perfect snack size for kids lunches, etc. You could use the pudding/jell-o cups for the same thing if you aren't having to take them somewhere else they will spill out. If you are careful, you could wrap cling wrap over the top and wrap a rubber band around under the lip of the cup to hold it on.
Take the small yogurt cups,cut a hole in the bottom about the size of a dime.Stick them on a twig or dowel rod and place them around your plants.Put the tops back on them.Add small pieces of soap inside them.You have a temporary plant barrier that holds soap for washing your hands after gardening.Have you ever thought about cutting shapes like butterflies and stuff out of bleach jug plastic. Cut a slit in the middle of each shape and stick a stick or dowel through to use as plant markers?
Paint a face on them with patio paint, stick them on a scarecrow body for your garden.You could even adapt that decoration anywhere like making birdhouses by cutting a hole out of the mouth part.
I use them for homemade soap & candle molds.
They're re-used for pudding made at home.
Please tell me the actual size, how many ounces?
