We've been on quite an oatmeal kick lately, and as a result, we've amassed quite a collection of empty tins. These sturdy metal containers with their snug lids seem too nice to just toss in the recycling, so we've been racking our brains to come up with ways to reuse them. Here's what we've got so far!
Thrifty Kitchen: 6 Ways to Reuse Oatmeal Tins!
We happen to really like the classic feel of the unadorned tins of McCann steel-cut oats. But if you don't, you can cover them with contact paper - a sticky kind of paper normally used for lining drawers and cupboards that can be found at Target, Walmart, or just about any home decor store. You could also simply wrap them in pretty paper and use double-sided tape to secure the ends.
1. Bulk Storage - The tins aren't really big enough for flour or sugar, but we can store small bags of leftover grain and pasta, packets of tea, bags of dried fruit, and so on. This keeps our pantry organized and free of clutter.
2. Table Sugar - We might not use the tin for storing pounds of baking sugar, but it's the perfect size for keeping a few cups on the table or counter for our morning tea (and bowl of oatmeal!).
3. Cookie Jar - These round containers are also perfect for storing cookies and other goodies. They're also a nice size for toting on public transit when taking treats into work or when making up a care package for a friend.
4. Spoon Holder - We normally keep our wooden spoons and spatulas in an unused flower vase next to the stove, which is fine...until we need the vase. An oatmeal tin will definitely do the job just as well.
5. Travel Container - Pack a few snacks for the road!
6. Office Supplies - We've stepped out of the kitchen and are using a few tins around the office to hold pens, unused computer cables, back-up desk supplies, and random knickknacks. Crafters can use tins to hold buttons, ribbon, balls of leftover yarn, and other supplies.
What other ideas do you have for reusing these tins?
Related: Look! Recycle Jars with Reusable Lids and Spouts
(Image: Emma Christensen)
Comments (23)
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We have SO MANY of these in our kitchen. We love how they look, so we've been reusing them for our bulk food storage . . . as planters for small flowers . . . and just as plain decorative items.
Love this post!
<3 Ashley M.
http://www.neverhomemaker.com
view neverhomemaker's profile
I think I've only ever bought one tin of the McCann's and then promptly switched to buying steel cut oats from the bulk bin. No extra packaging or tins accumulating and seriously, no difference in the oats. It's all good.
I do like the look of the tins but I like to store my bulk goods in clear containers.
view Slow Lorus's profile
But if I did have tons of them, I'd want to strip them down to the bare metal. I bet they'd look great grouped together. Martha did a little how-to on this idea:
http://www.marthastewart.com/good-things/stripped-tin-boxes
view Slow Lorus's profile
Cute idea and, inexpensive to boot! Thank you.
view rosebud's profile
Refill them from the bulk bins at Whole Foods or your local coop.
view pooq's profile
I mostly buy my oats from the bulk bins, but if I run out I'll occasionally pick up a tin of McCann's. I have a used tin on my counter to hold spoons, spatulas, etc. But I hadn't thought about other uses. Thanks for the suggestions.
view greenish's profile
Very pretty. I don't think they sell that brand in Canada, but I wish they did - I would use these tins for so many things.
If, however, I was running out of uses for the tins, I'd go back to buying oatmeal in bulk like I do now. No packaging is the way to go.
view IndigoEllen's profile
I like to use them to control my daughters art supplies. Crayons, paint brushes, and scissors all look neat in these little matching tins. I agree- they are way to pretty to recycle!
view kitchen55's profile
Used oil collector.
view BrooklynBaker's profile
I also buy my steel cut oats in bulk instead. The McCanns in my local grocery store were always stale anyway.
view Niamh's profile
Slow Lorus-- thanks for that link! You could also spray paint them.
I buy bulk as well--McCanns is so expensive and I've found stale tins as well.
view Palmetto's profile
IndigoEllen, check your local Loblaws or even local IGA; I've seen it at both (in Ottawa, at least).
view Marie-Eve's profile
Loblaws/Superstore
view Marie-Eve's profile
McCann's also comes in boxes -- I buy them and keep reusing the same tin.
view Mid-C Frank's profile
um, you could get one oatmeal tin and refill it with steel cut oats from the bulk section. the oats would be cheaper and you wouldn't be puzzling over how to reuse all these tins.
view caiti's profile
I also reuse them to hold refills from the bulk bin. It's so, so, so much cheaper!
view eprewitt's profile
hah, i use 2 old pirouette tins for my utensil crocks... but im just classy like that
view adamwa's profile
I use great old tins to house my windowsill plants and flowers. another great tin is the Sclafani tomato tins:
http://stores.guilianos.com/catalog/sclafani1.jpg
So kewl
saer
http://cravenmaven.wordpress.com
view saeras's profile
a DIY lamp!
http://cribcandy.com/eco-friendly/dd8524021dea1dc2c083da6c688ffbbf&pageoffset=0
view digitaleffie's profile
Very, very cute! I have to hurry up and finish my first tin so I can decorate with it, because I must admit that the pretty packaging is what sold me. I don't think we have them in Canada, so the first time I saw McCann's was when I moved here to Minneapolis.
view Sara in America's profile
Totally bulk bin and refill them! McCann's is overpriced in my area stores and Whole Foods bulk is just as tasty. Saves me a lot since I eat oatmeal nearly every day in the cold weather, and the tins get reused so it's greener.
view jblue's profile
Thank you so much for the great idea. I've been fruitlessly looking for a utensil holder recently and this fits the bill perfectly. I just picked up one today at Trader Joe's and my utensils are already very happy. This also gives me motivation to to try some new steel cut oats recipes, as I was already well stocked with them before today's purchase.
view onebravegirl's profile
I like to use leftover tins like this (even cardboard ones) for cookie mixes for Christmas gifts. Cover the tin (or cardboard oatmeal containe with scrapbook paper cut to size, using double sided tape to secure. If you put your cookie mix in a ziploc bag and put it inside the container, it will be airtight. You can embellish the tin in a myriad of ways.
view juju73's profile