There’s a lot of online discussion among eco-minded folks — pros and hobbyists alike — about how wasteful K-Cups are, those tiny plastic pods made for single-serve coffee machines. Even the creator of K-Cups admits they were probably a bad idea in retrospect.
Sadly, they’re not going away anytime soon — K-Cups are entrenched, and the trend continues. Rather than wring our hands, we can do what we always do when a problem arises: adapt and make the most of it.
To keep more of them out of landfills, consider reusing K-Cups.
Below are several imaginative ways to repurpose your used K-Cups as organizers, educational aids, craft supplies and more.
1. Seed Starter
One of the best repurposes for a K-Cup is to return life to the planet in exchange for the plastic it consumes.
I especially like turning the pods into seed starters. They’re ideal for new and experienced vegetable growers, as well as curious kids — it just feels satisfying and cyclical.
Emily Cope, a nutrition counselor in Rochester, NY, has perfected this technique and offered a few pointers for anyone wanting to try.
“After I use a K-Cup I let it dry, mark it with a Sharpie, peel the lid off and remove as much of the grounds as I can,” she says. “Then I add organic potting soil and a seed or two.”
These small pods are practically made to begin seedlings.
“A K-Cup is a great starter because it already has a hole in the bottom, which helps with drainage, and the residual coffee grounds contribute helpful nutrients that can lead to healthier sprouts. When the seedling surpasses the K-Cup, it can be transplanted outdoors.”
2. Holiday Crafts
K-Cups are perfect for holiday-themed crafts — Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and more. When the kids are bored during school breaks, dig out your stash of K-Cups and crafting supplies to make keepsakes you’ll enjoy year after year.
Some favorites include this make-it-yourself Advent calendar, these turkey place markers, and these spooky Halloween lights.
Cristin Frank, who writes the blog Eve of Reduction, likes to use them as dyed-egg holders to jazz up Easter.
3. Circular Stamp
If you need a perfectly round stamp, a used K-Cup is handy. This works great for creating lots of cheerful faces.
Stamp many circles onto craft paper and let children transform them into people, animals, snowmen and other playful characters.
4. Paint Cups
Rather than mixing paint on a plate or newspaper, use separate pods to hold individual colors. Once done, pour unused paint back into the jar and rinse the K-Cups for reuse.
You can also use leftover pricing dots to patch the tiny hole in the bottom if needed.
5. Teaching Tools
Used K-Cups make fun educational tools for kids.
A different Kathy Griffin’s Teaching Strategies lists 10 ways to teach common core math and literacy, while Happy Hooligans recommends using them to sort coins so kids can practice counting change.
Those are a couple of schooling ideas; you’ll find more online or invent your own activities.
6. Minimalist Wreath
If you’re into a stark holiday look, this minimal wreath made by gluing clean K-Cups in a circle is perfect for a wintry vibe.
Because the pods are white and neutral, you can easily decorate them for other seasons — no need to wait for December.
7. Party Lights
I already mentioned Halloween K-Cup lights, but you can make festive strands for any celebration. Use them to brighten up a party in virtually any theme.
With a little imagination you can craft twinkling decor for Valentine’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthdays, showers or a backyard evening gathering.
It’s simple: poke each light through the hole in the bottom of a used K-Cup, and you’re done.
8. Marquee Lighting
I gravitate toward industrial-style décor, and marquee letters are one of my favorites. The downside is cost; good marquee pieces often start around $250 each.
If you’d rather not spend that much, you can build a DIY version with K-Cups. This budget-friendly approach actually looks quite nice and makes a thoughtful, handcrafted present.
9. K-Cupsicles
My favorite thing about this clever K-Cupsicle idea is not just a new way to cool off in summer, but that the portion is small enough to manage calories. Sometimes you want just a little taste, and these tiny treats satisfy that craving.
Be sure to seal the hole in the bottom with tape or hot glue so the liquid doesn’t leak — nobody wants a sticky freezer.
10. Frozen Herbs
Freezing herbs is an easy way to preserve abundance so they don’t spoil unused — otherwise you simply waste money.
Many people chop herbs, place them in ice trays, and fill each compartment with olive oil.
You can apply the same idea to K-Cups to free up your ice cube trays. Use a dab of hot glue or tape to cover the puncture hole in the bottom of each pod.
11. Scoop for Dry Goods
Having trouble scooping flour, coffee or sugar from a container without spilling? Don’t want a scoop left in the canister? An empty K-Cup works great as a little scoop.
It’s a simple, effective fix.
12. Organizers for Small Items
Small items like hair ties, sewing notions and office supplies fit perfectly into empty K-Cups.
Sort items into individual pods, label them if you like, and arrange them in a rotating holder for easy access.
13. Concrete Candle Holders
I never would’ve considered this use for K-Cups until I found it — a neat idea for industrial-style décor. It really appealed to my aesthetic.
Follow the directions for the concrete candle craft at Lots DIY to make your own.
14. Confetti Poppers
Yes, they’re messy, but how fun are these confetti poppers crafted from used K-Cups?
They’re great for New Year’s Eve (you might want a handheld vacuum ready) and work well for birthday parties, too.
15. Jell-O Shots
This one’s for grown-ups (though K-Cups would also make cute Jell-O molds for kids’ treats).
K-Cups actually make ideal Jell-O shot containers because their narrow form makes it easier to remove the gelatin with your tongue than wider ramekins.
You’ll need to cover the hole in the bottom; a small piece of Scotch Tape, a dab of correction fluid, or peel-and-stick price dots work well.
Your turn: What other inventive ways do you repurpose K-Cups? Share your suggestions below!
Disclosure: You wouldn’t believe how much coffee the Savinly team consumes. This post contains affiliate links so we can keep the caffeine flowing! (But not with K-Cups; we’d go through far too many.)
Jordan Hale is a personal finance and lifestyle writer whose work has appeared in numerous outlets across the web. Jordan splits time between an urban apartment and a small coastal house with a dog named Juno. Connect on Twitter @jordanhale.
