How can I reuse or recycle … matchboxes?

Match boxWe have an old gas cooker without an integral flint so we go through a lot of matches. We tried one of those clicky flint-on-a-stick things but got too annoyed with it to continue so we went back to good old flame.

We throw the used matches on the compost heap but every few weeks, we have a empty box too. We buy cook’s matches so they’re quite big boxes – any suggestions on what we can do with them?

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21 Responses to “How can I reuse or recycle … matchboxes?”


  1. Use them as furniture for a dolls house of course. Or storage of nail, nuts, or bolts in the shed if you’re a grown up.

  2. sarar says:

    I use matchboxes to keep my sewing kit tidy – eg. one for buttons, one for poppers & clasps.. I used to have one for pins as well but they tended to try to escape so now I use a little tupperware box instead.

    SaraR

  3. Cadan ap Tomos says:

    If you collect coins or stamps, use them to organize them.

  4. rita says:

    There is a game/competition where the you try to fill a match box with as many different things as possible. Things like a grain of sand or a blade of grass count. Its amazing how many things a matchbox will hold!
    You can also cover them with coloured paper, make them look like little gifts and use as Christmas tree ornaments.

  5. drew says:

    glue them all together into a chest of drawers and attach some sort of handle to the slide-out box using tacks or something and use them to hold some of the above mentioned items.

    • Annie says:

      my mum made a miniature chest of drawers for me when i was little, using six small matchboxes stacked in two piles. the whole thing was glued together and covered in fabric, with split pins for drawer handles, it was a beautiful thing which i treasured for years.

  6. Kunal says:

    How about this?!

    http://kookiejar.blogspot.com/2006/09/i-like-tigers-too.html

    It’s damn tedious… but sheer pleasure after it’s done! : )

  7. trish says:

    paint them, small blocks

  8. Elizabeth says:

    Send them to me! Please?! :D

  9. J says:

    I love the matchbox dresser idea, and I might make one for myself. Here’s a cute tutorial: http://www.flickr.com/photos/craftsty/sets/72157600622935488/

    Matchboxes also make cute gift boxes. Read this forum for some inspiration and ideas: http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=997935

  10. ellen says:

    Hi i am studying illustration, in my third yr at uni..i desperatly need matchboxes for a project…any one wanting to get rid can send them to me, small ones are preferable, but big ones will do!
    please mail me if you are interested in off loading..

    ellen.petitchou@googlemail.com

  11. thestoob says:

    Just saw these neat art project using matchbooks. I love it!

    http://www.blurty.com/users/matchboxproject

  12. Ruti says:

    In Latin America, they make these into mini nativity scenes, but they can be used for any mini 3d picture.

  13. Vicki says:

    Try this: http://www.charmedcardsandcrafts.co.uk/acatalog/classes_advent_calendar.htm

    I’ve been looking for empty boxes specifically to make this! LOL!

  14. gale says:

    paper clips store well in them too.

  15. adrian says:

    compost them

  16. tony says:

    My late father used them to create carry cases for his recycled matchstick instruments. See and hear the Rhinestone Cowboy himself, Glen Campbell play and praise the 1937 recycled 20,000 matchsticks acoustic guitar

  17. JKS says:

    You could make tiny gift boxes and put things like:

    A one-serving spice mix inside.

    Seashells or feathers collected from a trip.

    Tiny photos.

    Gourmet salt.

  18. Tandberg says:

    You can also collect them. I have been collecting matchboxes and labels since the mid-sixties and have about 100,000 different from all over the world. Please take a look on my website.



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