13 Creative Ways To Repurpose Yogurt Containers To Be Useful And Sustainable

Yogurt is a common grocery staple for many households. In fact, Statista estimates that over half of the U.S. population regularly consumes yogurt products. But whether you buy a large container to use for different meals or single-serve cups for a quick breakfast or midday snack, your love of yogurt may feel like it's contributing to an excess of plastic waste. And if you indulge in french-style yogurt (popular brands include La Fermière or Oui by Yoplait), you may also find yourself with terracotta or glass jars that feel too substantial and beautiful to just get rid of. 

If you do opt to recycle your yogurt containers, make sure you're up to date on your local recycling guidelines. For glass and plastic, regulations will differ depending where you live. But a good rule of thumb is to make sure you thoroughly clean and dry your containers before sorting them into the recycling. When it comes to terracotta yogurt pots, you won't be able to send them for municipal recycling like other materials. But the great news is that for these terracotta containers — as well as those made of glass and plastic — there are plenty of ways to upcycle them for household use. Whether you're using them for crafts, baking, decor, gardening, or storage, there are so many creative ways to reuse your plastic containers in your home and garden. Keep reading to turn your yogurt habit into a sustainable one!

Embrace your green thumb by transforming yogurt containers into pots for seedlings. Starting seeds instead of buying plants is a great way to keep gardening costs low. And with yogurt containers on hand, you reduce costs even further. Just poke or drill drainage holes into the bottom of the containers and separate seeds into different cups for a variety of produce in your garden. Once your seedlings mature and you transfer them to a planter or pot, rinse the yogurt containers, stack them together, and save them to use for next season's gardening endeavors.

Reuse yogurt containers with lids to store other food that isn't yogurt. Instead of buying new food storage, opt to keep leftovers in these tubs — they are great for liquidy foods and baked goods alike. And if you have friends over for dinner, you can send them home with food without sacrificing one of your nicer containers. Once you have accumulated a collection, keep your plastic food container lids organized with this clever storage hack. But just be sure to avoid reheating food in these yogurt containers because they are not microwave safe.

This craft works with a yogurt container of any size or material. All you need is rope and a hot glue gun, both of which you can find for cheap online or at a craft store. Start by placing a dot of hot glue along the bottom edge of the container, securing your rope. Then, wind it around the container, adding glue to keep it in place until you reach the top. Make it your own by adding materials like fringe or lace and use it for your various household storage needs!

For crafty sewers, a yogurt container with a lid can quickly become a thrifty embroidery hoop. All you have to do is cut off the top lip of the yogurt tub and trim the center out of the lid. The lid piece will snap tightly onto the piece from the top edge of the tub. From there, just secure a piece of fabric between the pieces and start your embroidery project. There are plenty of ways to incorporate embroidery art in your home — and this upcycle can make them a reality.

Take a cue from TikTok user @artcrafthome2 and turn a yogurt container into a decorative basket for household storage. Start by painting the outside of the tub white and then covering it with sheer craft paper. Then, seal the paper with paste like Mod Podge, which you can find for just $5 at Target. Finish by lining the inside of the container and adding finishing touches like trim and cord handles. Make it your own by choosing unique paper, and use anywhere in your home — from the office to the kitchen!

DIY candle making is a great way to take advantage of used glass or terracotta yogurt containers. Start by gathering some supplies, including candle wax pellets, wicks, and a double boiler. Fill your yogurt jar with wax pellets to determine how much you need to melt. Then, heat that amount in a double boiler until melted (temperature will vary depending on your wax). Stir in essential oils to create a scented candle, or you can make this upcycle even more sustainable by reusing old spices to craft the best homemade candles for every season.

If you find yourself with leftover pots from La Fermière — clay or glass — reuse them to bake treats of all kinds in the oven. Both versions are oven safe up to 480-degrees Fahrenheit, and they even have a recipe for yogurt pot cornbread on their website. But be warned: while jars from La Fermiére are confirmed to be thermally resistant, other pots, like the glass for Oui yogurt from Yoplait, are not. Always proceed with caution and never put glass in the oven if it is not rated for high temperatures.

There are so many benefits of composting at home, and a yogurt tub can help you get started. Use the container to collect food scraps while you're cooking, then transfer them to your larger compost pile if you have one. Or store the container in the freezer until you can bring the scraps to compost. You can also use a yogurt tub as a mini compost bin. Poke holes in the bottom, add your scraps, and place in a garden bed to decompose. The nutrients will drain into the soil and give your plant life a boost!

Repurpose those yogurt pots that are too pretty not to show off around the home. Fill one with a bit of water and arrange some small flower cuttings for a minimal, dining table centerpiece. You can also use the glass containers for propagation to give your dying house plants new life. The terracotta yogurt pots are perfect for planting your propagated cuttings in soil, or to use otherwise for small house plants. They will look great lined up on your window sill and make lovely gifts for friends and family.

Take the labels off of your yogurt containers and use them as versatile storage for supplies around the office or craft room. Try a foolproof way to remove sticky labels from your yogurt tub, which makes them look neat or allows you to re-label them yourself. This upcycle works for smaller containers as well. Use glass or clay yogurt pots to store desktop tidbits. They can make a simple pen or marker holder, or can be used as a place to keep paper clips, push pins, and the like readily available.

A large, lidded yogurt tub can be the ideal vessel for a homemade first aid kit. Add first aid essentials like bandages, antiseptics, gauze, medical tape, and a tourniquet. Toss in other emergency supplies like matches and a flashlight. It's important to know how to organize your emergency kit and supplies – including storing it in a cool, dry area. And a plastic, lidded yogurt container will protect your supplies from errant moisture. And if you collect a few, you can make kits for different rooms around the house, ensuring quick and convenient access when needed.

Glass or clay yogurt jars can make charming drink ware for everyday or special occasions. Use them for tea or coffee, as a bedside water glass, or make them part of your bar cart accessories. Their size is perfect for a cocktail or mocktail, and the pronounced rim looks elegant dipped in salts and sugars. Take your non-alcoholic beverages to go without spilling, by using lids outfitted for the popular jars. Each brand sells their own, but you can find compatible lids at a better value on Amazon for either Oui or La Fermière jars.

Of all the items you can use to organize your bathroom, you might not expect yogurt jars. But these containers are a great option for bathroom storage on the counters and shelves, or in cabinets and drawers. Organize everything from cotton swabs and makeup remover pads to hair ties and bobby pins. And you can also use them to sort makeup products, like concealer, lip gloss, and eyeliner to name a few. Or, try keeping one on your countertop to hold your toothbrush and toothpaste, and say goodbye to bathroom clutter as you know it!