16 Ways To Reuse Plastic Fruit Containers Around Your Home & Garden

Fruit is nature's candy, but when you grab it from the grocery store, it's sometimes in not-so-natural packaging. You'll usually find delicate berries and some other fruits in plastic clamshell containers, which cannot be recycled in every county (check with your local recycling service if you're not sure). Even if plastic packaging is recyclable in your area, reusing the items in your home or garden is an even more eco-friendly solution. These plastic fruit containers are only single-use if you let them be. Since there are plenty of ways to repurpose them, it's easy to give them a second life.

Designed to transport and store delicate fruits, plastic fruit containers are made of thin, lightweight plastic and have helpful venting holes that make them great for certain upcycling projects. From starting seedlings in the garden to organizing toys in a playroom, these containers can be repurposed in numerous creative ways. Here are some ideas to inspire you to put those plastic fruit and berry containers to good use.

The small holes at the bottom of a plastic fruit container make it the perfect vessel for use as a starter planter. They work as drainage holes so the soil won't get waterlogged. As this TikTok from @sustainabilitymattersva shows, you can grow some plants with shallow roots in these containers. You can also use these small containers for starting seeds instead of buying plants, too. Just keep in mind that eventually most plants will grow out of this makeshift starter pot and will need more space to spread their roots, so they'll have to be repotted.

With the lid on and closed, a fruit container can become a great mini DIY greenhouse. Like proper greenhouses, the lid helps keep heat in, while the holes allow for airflow as well as necessary water drainage. Remove the sticker from the top of the lid to allow in the most sunlight. This idea is a great one to try if you want to start some seeds outdoors but still need to keep them warm and protected. However, ensure you tape the fruit container closed to protect your precious seedlings from birds, squirrels, and other backyard critters.

Plastic fruit containers can do more than just help you grow new plants, as they can protect produce on mature plants as well. You can use them to protect growing fruit and make sure that birds and other animals don't get to them before you do. Just snap the clamshell around thin branches or vines without harming them. The clear, ventilated container will still allow sunlight and airflow to reach the plant. Again, if you need the extra protection, you can tape the container closed to better dissuade backyard animals.

Critters damaging your larger fruit or veggie plants? If you have a big enough container, you can offer the fruits of your labor a layer of protection. Use your bulk berry containers to guard larger produce that grow on vines from critters, like @rosemary_grows_ demonstrates on melons. You'll likely need to cut an entrance hole in the side of the container to fit the thicker vines or branches. You don't want to cut off nutrients to your fruit, so make sure the clamshell doesn't squish the branch or vine.

If you're shipping fragile items or packing for a move, it can be difficult to ensure that what you're transporting makes it to the final destination in one piece. For a bit of extra protection, try using a fruit container as packing material. While these packages are typically made of fairly thin plastic, their shape can hold up against pressure and prevent small fragile items from getting crushed. Fill the container with insulating material like packing peanuts, bubble wrap, or shredded paper, then place the item inside and close up the top to create a protective shell.

Bins and containers can make all the difference when it comes to keeping your home tidy. Whether you use them to corral countertop clutter or to organize a junk drawer, these small containers are indispensable. There's no need to spend more money or contribute to more plastic production. Instead, just reuse an old plastic fruit container instead. Use these containers to store any small items, and feel free to cut off the lid if you're working with clamshell container. You can also paint or decorate them to your liking to personalize them a little more.

Plastic fruit containers make for excellent storage in dirty spaces. They're a great option for storage in your garden, shed, or a garage — those grimier spots where you might not want to use nice bins. Clamshell containers keep items contained, are stackable, and are transparent, so you can always see what's inside. The holes allow for airflow to prevent any moisture issues in uninsulated spaces or even outdoors. Plus, since you're already giving these containers a second life, once they become too dirty or damaged, you can just throw them in the garbage or recycling without guilt.

Another place where plastic fruit containers are useful is in a kids bedroom or playroom. Use clamshell containers to organize and store toys — this is a simple toy storage idea for the playroom. These are a great option to keep toy sets together, particularly if you like to rotate out your kid's toys. They're especially useful in the bathroom for bath toys since the slits allow for necessary air flow. At the end of the toy's time in your home, you can also use them to pack up toys before selling them at a garage sale.

If you're familiar with "Where's Waldo" or "I Spy" books, you likely understand the fun that comes along with seek-and-find games. With some clever crafting, however, you can make your own 3D seek-and-find game, perfect for keeping kids occupied, developing their attention to detail, and working on their vocabulary skills. Take an old fruit container, remove the labels, and fill it with tiny objects like toys and knickknacks. Write out a list of what you included, then pass it off to your kids and give them the chance to find and identify each item.

Whether you're hosting a casual dinner or baking up a storm with friends, you might want to send them home with some leftovers. But it can be a pain to part with your favorite Tupperware containers and then have to track them down later. Instead, you can pack leftovers into plastic fruit containers. Just keep in mind that, due to the holes, this only works with drier foods (nothing too saucy!). To make the container look nicer and to contain drips and crumbs, you can line it with a piece of parchment paper.

If you're looking for a sturdier alternative to the classic brown paper bag lunchbox, try packing your lunch in a plastic fruit container. The larger containers, like those used for grapes or strawberries, should be big enough to carry most snacks to work or school. This is a great hack if you're trying to avoid the annoyance of a squished sandwich, but it's also incredibly convenient if you have kids that are notorious for losing their lunchboxes or you need something that you can easily dispose of after using once or twice. 

One of our favorite ways to reuse plastic fruit containers is as storage boxes for anything you want to keep together as a kit. One such example is a sewing kit. A berry container is the perfect size for most all-purpose sewing items. Of course, you'll just want to make sure that no pieces can slip through the slits — especially needles — so store those and other small (and sharp) bits in individual sleeves for added protection.

Plastic fruit containers work as excellent storage containers for delicate items (they're common for berries, one of the most fragile types of produce). Use these containers to store dainty crafting items like dried flowers and leaves. These containers are great for dried plants because the slits allow for airflow to prevent mold growth. Plus, since the containers are clear, it's easy to see inside them without disturbing their fragile contents, so you don't need to do too much rifling when you want to craft or decorate.

While you can leave your fruit containers as-is when using them for gift packaging, they'll look a lot nicer if you decorate them. Start by removing any stickers and cleaning debris or residue so you have a smooth canvas. You can paint the surface to your liking. Acrylic paint is a good choice and you can cover it in a clear coat for better longevity. Add adornments like stickers to personalize the container even more. You can use a plastic-friendly glue like E6000 (about $4 from Amazon) to add details like ribbon, lace, gems, and more.

You can also use plastic fruit containers to organize all types of crafting supplies. One particularly good use for these bins is to store ribbon, twine, and other lengths of string. Some ribbon spools can fit perfectly in these containers, and if you line the entire length, they'll stay upright as a pretty ribbon display. Thread the end of the ribbon or string through the slits in the container so you can pull out as much length as you need and snip it off without even having to open it.

Looking for a new pencil case? The answer might be hidden in your refrigerator. Small, narrow plastic fruit containers like those used to hold blueberries or raspberries are the perfect length to store your pens, pencils and markers. These shallow containers are a great choice if you need something to slip into a bag or a small drawer, but you can also use larger fruit containers to store your full collection of writing utensils. Leave it as-is for a low-profile look or customize your new organizer with paint, paper, or decorative details to add some more style.