Reusing for Earth Day

Earth Day is coming up this week so I thought I would share with you one way we reuse in my classroom. I just used these in my classroom on Friday when we were doing art so it is fresh in my mind.

I am not sure exactly when I had this idea but I know that it has made painting in my classroom a whole lot easier and clutter free. Being a teacher I like to "collect" many old things. Yup you know the saying "a teacher can find use out of someone else's garbage." Well that is exactly what I do.

Many of my students bring in lunchables for lunch time and there is SOOOO much garbage. One day I thought there has to be a use for them. Well there is !!! I have my students save them and we use them as paint containers. Genius I know :) Of course the paper outer wrap goes in the recycling.

Instead of students carefully putting multiple containers of paint on their desk or table and hoping it doesn't get knocked over all they have is ONE container with multiple paint colors in it. Yay! Less mess. These containers usually come with 3 or 4 compartments in them. 

The plastic containers are super easy to clean and stack nicely in the cupboard. I have used both tempera and acrylic paints in the containers and they both wash out easily. I love finding useful tools and even better that this one can be recycled and avoid the landfills for a little longer !

I hope this tip helps keep your art time a little less cluttered and your garbage cans emptier.

Cheers,