June Reuse-It Item - Packing Peanuts

Getting something, especially a package in the mail is a lot of fun! And if you have a big enough box, you might be able to do this with the packing peanuts. If not, our June Reuse-It post gives quite a few ideas on how to reuse them, especially around the house.

Sarah

I have to admit, I hadn't thought much about using packing peanuts for much other than packing, before this item came up on our list. I like practical reuse ideas, so I was really happy to find this list of ten uses for foam packing peanuts, by This Old House. Number 3 was my favourite: keep pointy ends safe! Jab the sharp ends of tools, scissors, and even stray pins into a packing peanut to create a handy little sheath. Next time you're rummaging in your toolbox or junk drawer, you needn't worry about hurting yourself on stray sharps. This is a great tip for households with kids.

Nichole

When I was little, my mom made me a pumpkin costume for Halloween that I vaguely remember as being cute, but uncomfortably warm and heavy. I suppose that might have been due to the world's supply of cotton batting required to give my costume shape. I've recently learned that there's a better way to fill costumes without weighing them down: packing peanuts! Their bulk means that a little goes a long way, but their weight makes them perfect for achieving different effects, like adding six-pack abs to a superhero outfit or putting convincing "rice" on a sushi roll.

Lana

Staring at my latest container gardening project, I cringed when I realized how hard it would be to move once filled with soil and plants. Packing peanuts to the rescue! Light weight and space filling, they are a great, cost-effective substitute for the bottom-lining gravel (added for drainage) and some of the soil.

How to:

1. Place packing peanuts in a mesh bag (such as an old onion bag or nylon stockings). 
2. Arrange bag(s) of peanuts in empty container to cover the entire bottom. Layer with more bags up to ¼ of container height.
3. Lay a piece of gardening fabric over the bags.
4. Add soil and plants as normal.

This method removes the major thorn on gardening forums about using peanuts - the hassle of removing them from the dirt when the container needs to be emptied. But because there is less weight and soil, you'll need to consider the following:

1. Take care not to overload the container with tall plants (making it too top heavy)
2. Make sure there is enough soil, according to the plants' minimum root depth
3. Monitor moisture levels frequently

Michelle

A packing peanut decorative curtain is quite simple to create. Using a needle, push through each peanut. After making many strands, hang them like a curtain. I would also suggest draping this around the Christmas tree or a chandelier.

- Reuse Centre Volunteers