Did you know that The Republic of Tea’s signature airtight tins are made from 30-50% recycled steel? Although these tins are very easy to recycle, we recommend upcycling your used tea tins as often as possible.
Upcycling your tins is not only good for the planet, but also benefits your wallet and your sense of creativity. The ways in which you can reuse your empty tea tins are limited only by your imagination!
- Wrap your repurposed tins with colorful scrapbook paper, brown butcher’s paper, or even fabric. Then add stickers and labels as needed to help you stay organized.
- Spray your tins with chalk paint, and update the chalk designs for every occasion.
- Keep the original tea labels visible for an adorably vintage, eclectic look.
Below are a few of our favorite ways to upcycle your tea tins from The Republic of Tea, organized by each room of the house.
Kitchen
One of the simplest ways to reuse your empty tins is by continuing to use them for their original purpose: storing tea.
Most of our teas (both tea bags and loose leaf tea) are available in resealable refill bags. By choosing to purchase one of these bags instead of a new tin, you can simply replenish your existing tin and reduce waste.
Similarly, you can store all sorts of kitchen supplies in your upcycled tea tins: spices, dried herbs, coffee, rice, baking supplies and more. Tea tins serve as a portable, easy-to-grab snack container for nuts, chips, granola, crackers and cookies.
The Republic of Tea tins also make an excellent vessel for growing fresh herbs. A kitchen windowsill with plenty of natural sunlight is the perfect location for your tea tin herb garden.
Bathroom
Is your bathroom counter a bit more cluttered and crowded than you would like to admit? Stash your personal hygiene products in empty tea tins to instantly clear up your counter space and make your bathroom feel more inviting.
The Republic of Tea tins have the ideal dimensions for discreetly storing Q-tips, cotton balls and feminine hygiene products. You can also convert your used tins into makeup brush holders—a sanitary alternative to keeping your brushes exposed on the bathroom counter.
Craft Room
Craft rooms have a reputation for becoming out-of-control messes; it is easy to lose all sense of organization when you are storing hundreds (if not thousands) of small supplies. But a cluttered craft room can inhibit your imagination and serve as a source of stress rather than creativity.
Your empty tea tins can be reused in virtually limitless ways in your craft room. Stash loose buttons, beads and stickers; tuck away spools of thread and twine; and organize your pencils, brushes, paint pens, crayons, scissors and sewing needles—all with upcycled steel tea tins.
Office
The Republic of Tea tins are the perfect size and shape to be repurposed as desk organizers. Storing your pencils, pens, markers and scissors in designated tins will keep your workspace neat and tidy.
Additionally, tea tin desk organizers will make it easy to find exactly the tool you are looking for as soon as you need it. Add labels for even greater organization.
Other Ideas
Looking for even more ideas for repurposing your used tea tins from The Republic of Tea?
- Store children’s travel toys like Legos and cars
- Gift boxes (bonus points if they are filled with homemade cookies and candies)
- Jewelry holder
- Vase or flower pot
- Bookshelf decor
- Organize miscellaneous supplies (nails, screws, batteries)
We hope your creative juices are flowing after reading these tips for reusing your empty tea tins. If you decide to try out one of these craft ideas, be sure to tag us on social media (@republicoftea) so we can see what you have created!
