How can I reuse or recycle plastic Nesquik tubs?
Recycle This regular Lizzie has asked:
Any suggestions for Nesquik tubs? I think Nesquik is probably the greenest solution to my chocolate milkshake addiction , but what, oh what can I do with the bright-yellow rectangular-ish tubs?
Google informs me that there are several types of Nesquik tub but the Nesquik website has a picture of this sort – curved plastic oblongs – so I’m going to go with that — hopefully Lizzie means this sort.
I would imagine they’d reseal pretty well – in order to protect the contents between milkshakes – so they could be reused as a container for other dry goods. If I had one right now, I’d use it for rice as we’ve got a too-big-for-me-to-hold sack of it or to keep opened packets of flour or sugar dry and air tight.
Assuming the label peels off and you’re left with a plain yellow tub, the fun colour also lends itself to be used as storage in a kid’s room – I suspect it’ll be just too small for most pencils/felt tip pens, but crayons would fit in it as would small figures/toys.
Any other reuses spring to mind?
As for actually recycling it, I can’t find out online what type of plastic the tubs are made from – anyone know?
(Btw, on the Nesquik website, “mums” and “dads” have separate sections: the mums section is about nutrition and convincing your kids to drink milk because “we know it’s good for them” while the “dads” bit is about having fun, spending time with your kids and being nostalgic for the Nesquik taste. Sigh.)
A piggy bank with slot cut in top
A pot, punch holes in bottom, to start plants
A container for monthly receipts – I review all spending at the end of each month
A container for all those ‘what is this for’ so you don’t have to put it in the junk drawer
A container for coupons you cut from the paper but haven’t sorted
Several could be lined up – one for each family member – and papers, notes, etc put in and family member can take care of
Bath toys
Sandbox toys
Surprise container – for kids or adults having a good or bad day – special snack, coupon for massage (adult) or movie, etc
Honey-do container – jobs written on piece of paper, folded, put inside to pick out randomly
Bill container – paid or to be paid – at least the yellow would be cheery if not the contents
Mini first aid kit for each room or car – bandaids, antiseptic, etc – saves running around to get stuff
Gift box – shape would easily conceal contents and color (assuming label
comes off) would only require a bow
Container for snacks in the car during a long drive – one for each person would make it personal and easy, perhaps without complaints from the little ones
Could be used for dishes in an emergency or just for fun – as a bowl for cereal with milk, a drinking cup, ice cream
String holder (husband has one in the garage in a cocoa container) cut hole in lid for string to come out
Pen/pencil holder on a desk – may require some weight in bottom to prevent tipping – use marbles or washed river rock
Seed packet holder – tape list of contents to outside – using more than one could have for veggies, herbs, flowers
You could cut off the top and use as a funnel, fill with water and freeze to use in coolers
You could also use for it for crafts in school projects, and for storing small items
– Use it to store flour, pet food, milk powder or laundry detergent in.
– Use it as a small waste basket for your desk.
– Use it as a small kitchen compost tub to hold fruit and vegetable peel in before you transfer it to the main compost bin.
– Give clean tubs to a toddler to use as stacking toys.
– Use it as a pen or tool caddy.
I try to keep some homemade instant hot cocoa mix (such as: http://www.ifood.tv/recipe/hot-cocoa-mix) on hand especially during the winter months and use a Nesquik container for storage.
When I was able to get several of the containers I also used them as Christmas gifts by removing the label and decorating the container. Then attach the mixing instructions for the cocoa mix. Everyone loved the gifts last year.
*Even bigger sigh*
Please, please, DO NOT BUY NESTLE PRODUCTS!
Nestle is the subject of the biggest consumer boycott in the world because of the irresponsible attitude with which it sells its baby formula milk to mothers in “third world” countries.
Nestle’s aggressive marketing and refusal to provide adequate information directly leads to the deaths of many infants every year. More info here http://info.babymilkaction.org/pressrelease/pressrelease10oct10
Please pick any other brand of chocolate milkshake but Nestle!
Also, Nestle has had a lot of complaints from the town where they bottle their brand of bottled water. I don’t have a link to look at, but there is a documentary out called Flow that explains the situation. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to boycott every company that is guilty of putting profits above community, but still, good information to keep in mind while shopping.
You can use them to store yor favourite crayons for your kids
Have to agree with both Alice and Kacy here. Nestle’s stand on this was awful but if you look closely enough you could find something to find fault with in almost any company.
However if you had enough of them or something similar then you could balance them on top of each other for an alternative to the old fairground scam of trying to knock the impossible weighted cans down and let your children win for a change.
Awesome page and ideas! I am going to use ours for a piggy bank craft project with our home schooled sons!
I reuse them to scoop up droppings from my dog at the park