One habit that sets many preppers apart is their ability to see value in things other people throw away. An empty jar, a worn-out T-shirt, or yesterday’s newspaper might look like trash, but each can still serve a useful purpose. Reusing everyday items saves money, cuts down on waste, and helps you build supplies without spending extra.
Many of these items already have a place in your home. With a little creativity, they can become storage containers, gardening supplies, cleaning tools, or emergency gear. Here are 14 everyday items that are worth saving instead of tossing.
Glass Jars
Empty jars from pasta sauce, salsa, or pickles are some of the most useful containers you can keep. Wash them well, then use them to store dry foods, hardware, sewing supplies, or homemade mixes. They’re also great for candles, homemade gifts, and pantry organization.
Books
Old books can still earn their place on the shelf. Practical guides on gardening, food preservation, first aid, home repairs, or outdoor skills can be valuable if internet access isn’t available. A few favorite novels are worth keeping too, giving you something to read during long power outages.
Newspapers
Don’t be too quick to recycle yesterday’s newspaper. It works well as kindling for starting fires, can be tucked around windows for extra insulation during cold weather, and makes excellent packing material for fragile items.
Shoe Boxes
Shoe boxes are surprisingly handy for keeping small supplies organized. Store batteries, first aid items, tools, craft supplies, or seed packets inside them. They also work well as drawer dividers or lightweight storage bins.
Plastic Bags
Plastic shopping bags can be reused many times before they’re worn out. Use them as small trash liners, waterproof covers for gear, packing material, or to keep muddy shoes separate from clean clothing while traveling.
Toothbrushes
An old toothbrush still has plenty of life left in it. The small bristles make it perfect for scrubbing tools, cleaning tight corners, removing dirt from equipment, or tackling grime around faucets and hinges.
Used Tea Bags
Don’t throw tea bags away after one use. Add them to your compost pile, place them around plants to help discourage some garden pests, or let cooled tea bags rest over tired eyes for a few minutes after a long day.
15 Clever Uses for the Humble Teabag You’ll Want to Know
Wine Bottles
Empty wine bottles can be cleaned and reused in several ways. Fill them with water for storage, turn them into candle holders, or use them as decorative vases around the home.
Old Clothing
Worn clothing doesn’t have to end up in the trash. Cut it into cleaning rags, sew it into quilts, make reusable cloths, or save sturdy fabric for repairs and patching. Even badly worn garments often have usable sections.
Coffee Grounds
Used coffee grounds still have plenty of value. Scatter them in the garden, add them to compost, use them to absorb odors, or scrub stubborn pots and pans with them before rinsing clean.
10 Ways to Use Coffee Grounds in the Garden
Bottle Caps
Plastic and metal bottle caps are easy to overlook, but they’re useful for crafts and small DIY projects. Turn them into game pieces, decorative art, jewelry, fishing weights, or homemade fire starters by filling them with wax.
Styrofoam Containers
Clean Styrofoam containers can help insulate homemade coolers, protect fragile items in storage, or serve as lightweight seed-starting trays for your garden.
Mesh Bags
The mesh bags that hold onions, garlic, or citrus fruit have plenty of life left. Use them for storing produce, hanging herbs to dry, scrubbing dirty tools, or gathering garden vegetables.
Soap Scraps
Tiny pieces of bar soap don’t need to go to waste. Melt them together to make a fresh bar of soap, or grate the scraps and mix them with borax to make a simple homemade laundry detergent. Saving the last little pieces may seem like a small habit, but they can add up over time.
