Get Inspired! 10 Innovative Ways to Repurpose Egg Cartons

Egg prices have finally started to decrease, but just a few months ago, they were at an all-time high. If you can reuse that egg carton and get some extra value from it, why not? Plus, embracing sustainability is always a good choice for the planet. While some brands have opted for biodegradable, eco-conscious cardboard cartons, many eggs are still sold in Styrofoam or plastic containers. Styrofoam can take up to 500 years to decompose in landfills, and even then, it breaks down into tiny foam particles.

Regardless of the type of egg carton your eggs come in, there are numerous fun and simple ways to repurpose them. Here are 10 of our top picks. Unless specified, you can use any kind of egg carton for these creative projects.

1. Grow Some Seedlings

Gardening can quickly become an expensive hobby, so it's a good idea to save money wherever possible. Rather than buying costly plastic seed trays, repurpose those empty egg cartons for your planting needs.

To begin, create drainage by poking a few holes in the bottom of the carton. Barton Hill Farms recommends separating the lid from the base and placing it beneath the carton to catch any excess water.

Next, fill each compartment halfway with seed-starting mix. Place a few seeds in each, ensuring they are well-covered by the mix. Water the trays enough to keep the soil damp, but not overly saturated.

When the seedlings' roots reach the bottom of the tray, transfer them to the garden (provided the frost risk has passed; if not, leave them in a pot indoors until warmer weather). Pro tip: Try placing an empty half eggshell in each carton compartment, filling it with soil and seeds. The nutrients from the eggshells are beneficial for the growing plants.

2. Create a Worm Farm

Worms play a crucial role in any garden, and passionate gardeners often create worm farms to boost their worm supply. Cardboard egg cartons are perfect for this purpose, as they are packed with microbes from their previous life as packaging for food. Worms love feeding on these microbes!

To set up your own worm farm, find two dark plastic bins that are at least 14 inches (36 centimeters) deep. Follow these instructions to drill the right number of holes for proper ventilation for the worms. Line the bottom bin with a torn-up T-shirt or burlap, and then stack the two bins together.

Shred some newspapers and lightly moisten them in the bin. Tear apart cardboard egg cartons, dampen them, and place them in the middle layer of the shredded paper. Add worms with the soil they typically come with, toss in some worm food, and enjoy a flourishing worm habitat! (Note: Worms and worm food can be purchased online or at garden supply and home improvement stores).

3. Create Fire Starters

Cardboard egg cartons can easily be transformed into fire starters, making them perfect for camping, grilling, bonfires, or any situation where you need a fire. Just fill the bottom of the carton with dryer lint, sawdust, or cotton balls. Make sure to fill the compartments about 3/4 full.

Next, melt an old candle or another type of wax in a saucepan. Once it's melted, carefully pour the wax over the lint or sawdust. Let it cool, and when you're ready to use them, simply tear apart the cardboard sections and light the edges of the cups.

4. Repurpose as Organizers

With their organized little compartments, old egg cartons are ideal for storing small items such as nuts, bolts, screws, nails, and more. This is also a handy solution for organizing jewelry, nail polishes, office supplies, light bulbs, and even batteries!

5. Store Small Christmas Ornaments

The holiday season can be expensive enough. Save some extra cash by using empty egg cartons to keep small ornaments safe, instead of purchasing pricey sectioned boxes.

6. Create a Bird Feeder

This simple and budget-friendly method will help feed the birds in your neighborhood. Use the full egg carton or just a few cups. Cut the top off the carton, then create holes in the bottoms of each cup or at all four corners of the carton. Thread some twine through the holes, tie knots at the bottom, fill with birdseed, and hang it up in a tree for a DIY bird feeder.

7. Replace Packing Peanuts

Here’s a great hack for Styrofoam packaging. Instead of buying environmentally harmful packing peanuts, you can tear up old Styrofoam egg cartons to use as padding when shipping packages.

8. Entertain Your Dog

Dogs sometimes need extra mental stimulation. Here are some fun ways to engage them using egg cartons:

9. Perfect Your Paint Palette

Next time you or your child wants to paint, use an empty egg carton to separate the different colors. This helps keep things tidy, prevents mixing the colors by accident, and gives you a convenient place to mix your paints.

10. Make Ice Cubes

Start by ensuring that the carton is thoroughly cleaned. A Styrofoam carton works best, as water freezes without sticking to it. Fill the carton with water, then place it in the freezer to create ice cubes that are easy to remove when you need them.