If you’ve ever felt a hint of guilt for tossing an empty paper towel roll into the recycling bin, you’re not alone. One look at them and you can just feel that they have so much life left. Turns out, they really do.
Paper towel rolls have some surprisingly practical uses for around the house. From the backyard to your craft room to the dining table (and beyond), here are some practical ways you can repurpose this surprising household hero.
Seed Starters
You can easily repurpose paper towel rolls into biodegradable seed starters,” says Whitney Malone, a sustainable gardener and founder of Malone House Gardens. Cut the tubes into 2-inch sections, align them in a shallow tray, and fill each with a seed-starting mix. Once ready, Malone says they can be transplanted directly into pots or garden beds.
Birdfeeder
Start by cutting the paper towel roll in half, punch a hole in one side and thread a sturdy string through it. Next, spread a thin layer of plain peanut butter over the outside; it should ideally be unsalted with no sugar added. Roll it in birdseed until it’s fully coated and then hang it from a tree for your feathered backyard friends.
Dog Foraging Toy
Your dog can get in on the upcycled paper towel roll action, too. Lincoln Schaefer, a dog expert at The Ruly Bully, says you can cut them in thirds and put a bunch in a box sporadically filled with treats or kibble. He says your dog will love foraging them, creating a virtually free dog puzzle toy.
DIY Napkin Rings
These simple DIY napkin rings add instant charm to any table. Cut the tube into 1 or 2-inch sections and then decorate them. You can paint each, wrap them in ribbon or twine, or glue on dried flowers for a botanical touch.
Add Some to Your Compost Pile
Paper towel rolls are made from paper, so they're fully compostable as long as they don't contain any plastic coatings or other non-biodegradable materials. Malone says, “Tear the plain cardboard tubes into small pieces and add them to a compost pile as a carbon-rich ‘brown’ material.”
Wrapping Paper Cuff
Taping your wrapping paper together after the roll’s been used can often create tears. Instead, use an old paper towel roll for the job. Cut it into a 2-inch slice, then slide it over the wrapping paper on either end to keep everything secure. This works best on standard rolls of wrapping paper.
Wendy Rose Gould is a lifestyle journalist who routinely contributes to Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Women’s Health, and House Beautiful, among others. She covers home and garden, wellness, and travel, focusing on thoughtful storytelling and detailed reporting. When not writing, you can catch her perusing thrift stores, singing, hitting the gym, and petting any cat or dog that'll allow it.
