How to Reuse Yoghurt Pots to Organise Your Home

Reusing empty yoghurt pots has become common practice in many homes, particularly among people who want to organise their house inexpensively while creating less waste. These plastic containers, which are usually thrown away after use, can be given new purposes with a few straightforward adaptations, supporting everyday routines and helping to reduce waste.

Why reuse yoghurt pots for organising the home?

Using yoghurt pots again reduces the amount of discarded plastic and makes better use of an item already available at home. Their sizes and shapes are well suited to storing small objects at no additional cost, effectively making them a “bonus” from the food that has been eaten.

Once properly cleaned, the pots can be used in several rooms to create easy storage solutions for school supplies, kitchen accessories or sewing items. Washing them with warm water and mild washing-up liquid, then removing the label, provides a better surface for glues, paints and decorative stickers to adhere to.

Watch a video on the Manual do Mundo YouTube channel featuring creative recycling and “Do It Yourself” ideas for turning disposable plastic packaging into useful organisers:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFw0vN-G3oI

How can yoghurt pots become drawer organisers?

A practical way to reuse yoghurt pots is to turn them into dividers for office, bathroom or kitchen drawers. They separate small items that would otherwise get mixed together, including paper clips, elastic bands, costume jewellery, miniature cosmetics and sachets of seasoning.

To make drawer organisers from these pots, following a simple process can make the space more functional and visually tidy:

1. Choose the pots: select containers of a similar height so they sit neatly side by side.
2. Trim any rough edges: if the rims are uneven, carefully cut them back with scissors.
3. Personalise them: paint the outside with acrylic paint, cover them in sticky-back plastic, or leave them transparent.
4. Arrange them in the drawer: position the pots to fill the available space, trying different layouts.
5. Sort the items: decide what will go in each pot and add labels if preferred.

How to use yoghurt pots as pen holders and desk organisers

In study and work areas, yoghurt pots-especially taller ones-can be used as pencil holders, pen holders and organisers for paper clips, erasers, USB drives and highlighters. They help keep the desk looking clear while ensuring every item has its place.

A few simple measures make these organisers steadier, longer-lasting and more pleasant to use every day:

• Strengthen the base: place small stones or glass beads in the bottom to prevent them from tipping over.
• Finish the inside: glue in felt or fabric to protect pencil and pen tips.
• Decorate the outside: wrap the pots in twine, fabric or decorative ribbon, or paint them in two colours.
• Organise them as a set: group several pots on a base made from rigid cardboard or wood.

Reusing yoghurt pots in the kitchen and utility room

In the kitchen, clean yoghurt pots can store dry foods such as nuts, grains, sweets and teabags, provided they seal securely. If the original lid no longer closes properly, silicone covers, fabric secured with an elastic band or tightly fitted cling film can be used instead.

In the utility room, these pots are useful for organising clothes pegs, screws, maintenance parts and small cleaning accessories, which can easily go missing. Avoid storing hot food, do not mix cleaning and food-storage uses, and check the plastic for cracks or cloudiness. Replace the pot whenever necessary to keep its use safe and practical in every room of the house.