How can I reuse or recycle foam drink holders?

foam drink holderWe’ve had another suggestion from Leigh of the scarves and name-tags. She wonders what she can do with

those hideous foam things that are supposed to keep drinks cold.

I have like 8 of them but i never drink pop or beer.

They’re one of those annoying promotional things like bottle openers which tend to appear in your possession before you have a chance to say “no, thanks” to the person giving them out.

I’d keep one or two around to use for their insulating properties – keeping a bottle of water in your bag cold (and not leaking condensation everywhere) or if they’re big enough, using around too-hot coffee cups. But what can Leigh do with the rest?

Any ideas?

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19 Responses to “How can I reuse or recycle foam drink holders?”


  1. Bobbie says:

    If they are the right size you could use them to insulate your plumbing pipes by cutting out the base and slitting the sides, then duct tape them in a long tube to fit over the pipes.

    • PB says:

      If they are the right size you could use them to insulate your plumbing pipes by cutting out the base and slitting the sides, then duct tape them in a long tube to fit over the pipes.

  2. Bill says:

    Foam uses:

    1) Use the round bottom(s) as cheap coasters.

    2) Use flattened pieces to protect your floors / tables from heavy objects. I have an old piece of 1″ foam insulation under my computer. It stops the floor from being scratched and makes sliding them out to clean behind easier.

    3) With some duct-tape or other way of attaching them, make a “stadium seat”. Tape or glue them to a stiff board – 2-3 layers of cardboard, or some scrap plywood. Multiple layers make softer seating.

    4) grind ’em up (maybe in an old food processor) and use them to fill or repair pillows, stuffed animals, and other “poofy” things.

  3. Kara says:

    They are great for baby bottles and kids’ sippy cups, and I have several reusable water bottles that fit in those drink holders too. They can also be cut up and used as key/sunglasses/hat floats. I make a hole for a key ring with an ice pick to use the float. For the sunglasses I attach a glasses leash finding to the key ring and slip the earpiece in – no more sunglasses at the bottom of the lake!

  4. Kara says:

    I forgot to mention that if they have a really ugly logo, “dimensional” fabric paint will cover that right up so they can be reused without advertising!

  5. alisha says:

    you can cover them in fabric
    and decorate them however you like
    and use them to hold pens and pencils
    or crayons on the desk for children

  6. shine says:

    Plant pots?

  7. Lizzy says:

    Would they be any use for lining a plant pot to keep it warm in winter months?

  8. kat says:

    cut up and make a quilt for under a laptop to keep your lap cool

  9. shan says:

    put ’em on a pint glass and have gigantic servings of tea. that’s what i do.

  10. WeshUonowa says:

    Wrap the foam around little trees,squirrels and other rodents wont damage them.

  11. nancy says:

    the above ideas are simply wonderful fun — love it!@!!

  12. Mary says:

    Use them to cushion sharp corners of furniture so your toddler doesn’t get hurt when pulling up on that furniture. Use them to protect the top of your car if you are hauling things with a car top carrier.

  13. HuntingWabbits says:

    Give them to your local fraternity, they’ll be grateful. :O)

  14. Olia says:

    Cut them into bracelets.

  15. Uluska says:

    Cover with them edges of rolled up paper, cardboard, plastic, etc.

  16. Uluska says:

    Use them as door stoppers.

  17. Anonymous says:

    Give them to someone who drinks beer. They are gold and hard to find.



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