What can I do with egg cartons?

Sandra Dunn
by Sandra Dunn
In my area, egg cartons are not recyclable, so I have amassed a small mountain of them. I have them in cardboard, as well as styrofoam. It seems like such a waste to add them to the landfill, so I'm hoping my Hometalk community can give me some ideas on putting them to good use, or even creating something new altogether. Please help!! Any ideas will be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance for your help.

  13 answers
  • Julia Hochhalter Julia Hochhalter on Aug 12, 2017

    We take a bunch every month or so to our local food bank as they get flats of eggs but no cartons. Our daughter said her friend buys them online for her eggs she gets from her chickens, to sell. So if you have lots you may want to donate or sell them.

  • Kay Kay on Aug 12, 2017

    The cardboard ones can be used to grow seedlings starters.

  • Polly Alexander Polly Alexander on Aug 12, 2017

    on the outskirts of my town a lot of peop selling fresh eggs. They are always grateful for the cartons.

  • Karen Rogers Karen Rogers on Aug 12, 2017

    I've seen them used as erring holders,beads if your into jewelry planting seeds to start.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Aug 12, 2017

    Cardboard ones use as starter pot for seeds or plants.Make Paper Mache with Lids - hours of fun. They can be planted straight into the soil without disturbance. Polystyrene - cut out egg containers to make Bells or Flowers from these.an be easily made. Cut out shapes for Lids for sticking on things as decoration eg. flowerpots ,Boxes etc

  • Pinkflmgo626 Pinkflmgo626 on Aug 12, 2017

    first, you may want to Sand them down a bit, then be sure to clean them well. Cover with paint that is made for brick and masonry, using a thick roller. I used Behr brand and only needed one coat Of creamy paint over multi color bricks.


  • Alice Alice on Aug 12, 2017

    As long as they are clean, I used them like building blocks for me pre-school kids. Made forts, etc.

  • Pinkflmgo626 Pinkflmgo626 on Aug 12, 2017

    ignore that comment! Lol!! Sorry - answered under wrong person. Of course you may want to try it anyway. Haha. Sorry I can't help you with your egg cartons.

  • Harlean Greathouse Harlean Greathouse on Aug 12, 2017

    I donate mime to a local chicken farmer that sells eggs.

  • Susan K Mullins Susan K Mullins on Aug 12, 2017


    Post free egg cartons on Facebook. There may be someone who sells eggs that can use them. You can also use them to start plants in, use them for putting paints in when painting, and use them to separate jewerly and keep it organized.

  • SandyG SandyG on Aug 12, 2017

    The cardboard cartons can be used as fire starters for fireplace or firepit or camping. Fill individual egg holder with lint or sawdust and melt a little candle wax or old crayons over top of lint. Break off individual as needed or separate all and store in an old can or zip lock bag. People with fireplaces love these during winter for easy fire starting.

  • Mvm21993075 Mvm21993075 on Aug 12, 2017

    Donate to schools for primary sorting activities & art projects.


    For math games, write numbers in the cup bases for students to shake beads and add, subtract or multiply the numbers where the beads landed.


    For literacy games use letters for students to identify words with the letter in the beginning, medial, or ending position.

  • Sandra Dunn Sandra Dunn on Aug 13, 2017

    Thank you so much for all of the great ideas! I truly appreciate each and everyone of my Hometalk buddies that replied to my dilemm! I think that I will donate some and save some for next spring to start seedlings. Thanks again for all of your help!