15 Clever Ways to Repurpose Old Food Cans and Minimize Waste

Repurpose an old food can into a storage vessel for writing utensils that are otherwise strewn all over the desk. This way, they stay upright, neatly contained, yet within easy reach. Plus, when it's time to clean your desk, you can simply move the can rather than having to corral countless pens.

For a cheap way to start a garden, reuse old food cans to plant seedlings. Don't forget to drill holes in the bottoms of the cans to ensure proper drainage, then place the cans in a spot that gets direct sunlight—such as a windowsill—for best results.

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Transform a humble food can into a rustic centerpiece with a few craft supplies. Clean the empty can and tightly wrap a piece of faux tree bark around the exterior. Tie string, ribbon, or twine around the middle for a finishing touch, and either place a candle or flowers inside the centerpiece.

DIY your party decor with the help of empty food cans. Make bright and budget-friendly decorations by wrapping the can's exterior with different colored strips of paper. Attach matching paper strips from the bottom for a streamer-like effect. To hang the decorations, drill two holes along the rim and use colorful ribbon or string to hang.

If you have limited outdoor space, install a vertical garden complete with upcycled food can planters. All you need is a wood palette, large food cans, and an assortment of exterior paints. When drilling the painted cans onto the palette, make sure to also drill holes in the cans' bottoms to allow for water to drain.

If you've been itching to give candle making a try, why not repurpose old food cans to do so? Small and shallow cans work well and their compact size makes them ideal for gifting. Sand down any sharp edges and clean the cans to remove food and sticky label residue.

Maximize pegboard storage in a craft room, garage, or backyard shed with a couple of old food cans. Prop them on an attached shelf and use them to store craft supplies and small tools. Get creative and decorate the cans to fit with the pegboard theme, turning the utilitarian containers into pretty decorative accents.

Since succulents don't require a ton of water and don't have super long roots, you can plant them in old food cans. Here's a unique idea for party favors—plant an assortment of succulent plants in small, shallow cans to delight guests. Even if they don't have a green thumb, succulents are low-maintenance plants that require minimal care.

If you love a kid-friendly fall craft, use old food cans to make festive Jack-o'-lanterns. Trace a stencil to draw the face, then drill small holes one next to the other to create the cut-out design. Sand down any sharp edges, spray paint it a quintessential shade of Halloween-orange, and place a tealight inside.

Use old food cans to keep cutlery for cookouts and backyard bbq's in order. It's an easy way to organize silverware, carry it outside, and divide it among tables if you're hosting an outdoor get-together. Keep the cans plain or decorate them with the party theme.

Collect old food cans to repurpose them into a fun, carnival-style game. Divide the empty cans into three or four groups and paint each a vibrant color. Stack the colorful cans and have players use bean bags or small balls to try to knock down them down. First person to knock down the stack wins!

A piece of felt, lace, and ribbon is all it takes to transform a plain food can into a decorative storage vessel. Secure the base fabric with hot glue and add non-slip felt pads to the bottom to protect your surfaces. Use the decorated can as a desk organizer for office supplies like pens and scissors.

Take the DIY approach to garden decor and fashion your own lanterns out of old food cans. Drill holes into the cans to create a decorative pattern, and place two holes along the rim for hanging purposes.