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Posted on Tue, Apr. 08, 2008

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Reuse yogurt containers to save money, planet

Simple steps can help your budget and the environment. It starts at home and with each choice you make. Today, I'm sharing ways to reuse yogurt containers. Simple enough, right?

• Seed starters: You don't need fancy containers to start seeds or plant cuttings. A simple yogurt container works well.

• Food storage: Smaller containers make great ice pop molds. Reuse them as individual snack holders for gelatin, pudding or applesauce for lunches.

You can use them as snack holders for kids at home, in the car, at the park and on picnics. Lids keep the food from spilling. If a container has a lid, cut an X into it and stick in a straw for a frugal sippy cup.

• Craft containers: Use them to hold crayons, markers, pens and pencils.

• Drawer organizers: Place jewelry, pantyhose, odd buttons, loose change, paper clips, nails and screws in them so they aren't loose in drawers.

• Scoops: They're handy scoops for kids in the bathtub and sandbox. Use them for birdseed and pet food, too.

• Collect and redeem: TerraCycle has joined with Stonyfield Farm to collect yogurt containers and reuse them as planting pots to sell to retailers. The program will donate two to five cents per container to a charitable organization of the collector's choice. Visit www.terracycle.net/yb/yb.htm or call 609-393-4252 for details.

Sara Noel is the owner of Frugal Village (www.frugalvillage.com). To send tips or questions, write to Sara Noel, c/o United Media, 200 Madison Ave., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10016, or e-mail