How can I reuse or recycle cardboard beverage holders?

Hot Beverage HolderThe other week when I was trying to find a picture to illustrate the cardboard cup sleeve post, all I could find were these beverage holders. Just everywhere.

Then the next day, I went downstairs and there was one on the sofa. I nearly jumped out of my skin: my internet history had become solid!

Thankfully it wasn’t a Twilight Zone episode which would end with me being beaten to death with a giant Google logo – just John had used it to carry some Chai tea home when we had choley & puree for breakfast (mmm).

I could just fling it in the compost but as always, I’d rather reuse than compost/recycle.

So any suggestions?

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14 Responses to “How can I reuse or recycle cardboard beverage holders?”


  1. Sally says:

    At an old job, we kept one around for the times when we needed one and didn’t have one. Often one of us would go down the street to get lunch. We brought the same beverage holder to carry the drinks. I don’t think they provided them there.

  2. Bryan says:

    If you have one to reuse, then that probably means you got it in order to use it for it’s intended use, so it is likely that you could use it for what it was made for again. Like reusable coffee mugs, a reusable coffee mug holder will bring you delicious coffee without the trash.

    If it should fail with it’s cheap durability, consider investing in a long lasting plastic cup carrier instead of getting another paper one to tear.

    In the meantime, it could be used as coasters on your fine coffeetable, or a carrier and platform for plant planters made from those paper coffee cups with the holes in the bottom.

    If you go camping and need to start a fire, i bet these would make good kindling.

  3. Delusion says:

    We keep one in the glove compartment so if we go through a fast food drive thru, we ask them to give us the cups without a new holder and just put it in the spare we keep.

  4. jitendra says:

    Hello!!

    yes recycling is very important and very necessary today.Some useful pointers here.

  5. Sarah says:

    Well, for art activities they are great to hold cups of paint. This way the cups don’t get knocked over by eager artists. You could also flip it over and push knobs or other such things through the bottom for spray painting.

  6. Veronica says:

    I know if there was enough of them, those who are making an at home studio (radio,podcasts etc.) they do make good sound proofing.

  7. Monda says:

    These actually make GREAT firestarters & you can do the same thing with a cardboard egg carton. Stuff the cups with dryer lint. When they are full, pour some leftover candle wax so it soaks into the lint. Works like a charm to start a fire!

  8. Lisa says:

    If you have a large planter, try sticking them in the bottom, they’ll retain moisture and biodegrade after a while. It also keeps the pot from being too heavy and cuts down the expense of potting soil since you don’t have to use as much.

  9. Lucia says:

    Just a more funny way… make holes in the the two cup bases and paint the whole adding other things to make a carnival/halloween mask. Add a ribbon or a band to fix it to the head.

  10. Jane says:

    My sister used something like these holders and egg cartons to make papier mache pulp. I don’t know all the details but I think she soaked them in water and then added wallpaper paste to make the pulp suitable for modeling into various shapes. She made some fabulous vases that looked like they were ceramic.

    • Monica says:

      Hi Jane! I have been looking all week for a recipe for this pulp mixture that you can make from recycled beverage holders. i’m planning on doing a mask unit with my Third graders this fall and this would be a very cool alternative to paper mache.Any further info from your sister would be very, very appreciated.
      A website…anything that would help me.
      Many thanks!
      mbcasazza@optonline.net

      • Rallan White says:

        the mix you can use for modelling can be: 50/50 ratio of water and Elmer’s white glue or any water-based craft glue will work as well.
        water-based works so that you can clean up sticky fingers, desks and clothing easy. use non-toxic designed for children’s use. should work just fine.

  11. Cat says:

    These are one of the only ways to hold avacados and not bruise them … other than that and the fire starters I’m out of ideas. They’re taken by the local recyclers out here.

  12. One thing I’ve found is to keep one of the holder with a cloth grocery bag. The 4 cup holder fits nicely into the flat bottom of the grocery bag enabling me to carry the drinks and the food and my pocketbook into the house.

    I’m handicapped so anyway I can put things together to avoid trips into/out of the house helps with energy.

    Linda



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