How can I reuse or recycle tape dispensers?

Tape dispenserWe’ve had an email from Jen, saying:

So I was wondering if you knew any good ways to reuse Tape Dispensers when it runs out of tape.

The tape dispenser that I use can just be “refilled” – just slotting another roll of tape onto the wheel – but I did break manage to break the wheel while doing the swap at one point so it’s not as useful as a dispenser now.

I suspect Jen’s dispenser is less easily refillable though so does anyone have any non-tape reuses for a generic reasonably heavy contraption with a cutting blade thing at the front?

(Photo by Nbauer)

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11 Responses to “How can I reuse or recycle tape dispensers?”


  1. Bobbie says:

    It occurs to me that you might be able to create a new wheel out by using a dowel rod cut to size.

  2. Collette says:

    I suspect that Jen might be talking about this kind of tape dispenser, which would be quite different.

  3. Detta says:

    You can buy the spare wheel at any Office Supply place. Cost – about 50 cents.

  4. Gulia says:

    Wih paint, cardboard horses and Santa, turn it into a Santa sled.

  5. Gulia says:

    Attach to a surface, where you want a fountain coming out, drilling the hole in advance. Water will nicely slide down the narrow edge.

    Use it as paint scraper.

    Plant small plants in the cavity.

    Use as a doughnut holder.

    It will hold nicely round stick notes, or other office miscellaneous.

  6. Gulia says:

    Write “Donations” on it and collect small change.

  7. Gulia says:

    Fill it with candy canes.

  8. Gulia says:

    Use as a pretense phone, when caught unexpectedly doing nothing.

  9. Richard says:

    I don’t suppose anyone is still watching this discussion but Detta where abouts did you find that you could buy these wheels? Any office supply place I look at doesnt seem to, not online anyway…

  10. szechong says:

    my tape dispenser’s wheel is fine, but the cutting blades in front are blunt, hopefully manufacturers can design reusable ones

  11. Becky says:

    You can purchase the wheel from Quill.com. I just did this and it cost just .66 cents http://www.quill.com/catalog/browse/sku.aspx?sku=UNI06761837&Effort_Code=UNI&Find_Number=MMMC15CORE

    I am sure there are many other places too. I just typed in Scotch extra core and mine happened to be “1 size. Hope this helps!



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