If you’ve accumulated a pile of mismatched measuring cups that are just taking up valuable space in the kitchen, you may feel tempted to just toss them out. While this might seem like an easy way to get rid of that pesky clutter, those measuring cups might end up sitting in a landfill instead of being recycled. In fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that nearly 27 million tons of plastic waste ended up in landfills in 2018. Instead of sending those well-loved measuring cups to the curb on garbage day, try repurposing them into household items like small planters or even creating a DIY hanging wind chime to brighten up your garden.

While most measuring cups are made from materials like ceramic, some varieties found at thrift stores may be harboring a dangerous additive: lead. Lead was commonly added to the glaze or finish found on ceramic dishware, specifically those produced before 1971, when regulations came into place. To be safe, always test thrift store items for lead before bringing them home to be sure your new DIY measuring cup crafts are safe. Remember that you are not limited to using just cups for your projects. Measuring spoons are also ideal for repurposing into items like beautiful wind chimes that are as pleasant on the eyes as they are on the ears.

If you’re looking for ways to repurpose measuring cups so you can use them both inside your house and outside in the garden, consider turning them into  mini planters. Simply cut a small drainage hole into the bottom of the cup before adding a bit of soil. Add your plants, then cover the roots with a bit more soil. You can also customize their look by painting the cups before planting.

While you may think measuring cups are limited to use in the kitchen, there are countless ways you can repurpose these cute little tools into tabletop decor for any room. For example, fill the cup with a little basket filler or tissue paper strips and add some cute seasonal elements. With a little effort, you can put together a holiday-themed centerpiece from items you might have lying around the house. If you’ve got a whole set of measuring cups to use, go ahead and get creative by making a decor piece for each holiday or your favorite seasons.

You can help make the weekly chore of cleaning and refilling bird feeders easier by grabbing an old measuring cup and keeping it in the bag of bird seed. With this trick, you can scroop the food into your different feeders without spilling it all over the ground and attracting other critters to your yard. Use a different measuring cup for each bag and you’ll be able to fill each feeder faster and cleaner than ever before.

It can be incredibly frustrating and time-consuming to be in the middle of making a recipe, only to have to stop and wash the measuring cup in between working with each ingredient. One way to repurpose measuring cups and help with kitchen organization is to have a dedicated scoop for each one of your dry goods. This makes it easy to scoop and measure at the same time. However, be sure to thoroughly wash any measuring cups from non-food items (like laundry caps) before use.

Similar to storing your old measuring cups in with dry goods to make meal-prep time easier, you can try the same method for your pet’s meals. All you have to do is place a clean cup into your pet food bag or storage container so it’s ready to portion out their food. Try to aim for the size closest to the recommended serving size on the product label. This is a healthier choice than just eyeballing your furry friend’s meals — you’ll make sure they’re eating just the right amount of food that they need.

Why ruin your nice kitchen bowls for a DIY project when you can repurpose an old measuring cup into the perfect vessel for crafting? Keep the cups from ending up in the trash by using them to mix paints or even stains. And the best part? Cleanup is so much easier. Just let the excess paint dry and peel it out, or wash the cup if you plan to reuse it for crafts only.

Filling up a bottle or household appliances that have a narrow opening — like the water reservoir of a coffee maker or a steam iron — can be tricky when working directly from the faucet. Using the built-in pouring spout on a measuring cup is ideal for simplifying the process and preventing messy spills. The most practical way to repurpose measuring cups for your appliances is to keep one near each appliance that needs it. That way, you’ll never have to go digging through cabinets when you’re desperate to make a cup of coffee.

Take advantage of the spring weather and start your own small garden filled with your favorite flowers and vegetables. Creating a garden is a great way to get outdoors, and you can even repurpose measuring cups into DIY plant label markers to keep the space organized. You won’t need many tools to complete this project, and the customization options are endless. Get as crafty as you want and choose a paint color or unique design to help your garden reflect your personal style.

Bring a peaceful atmosphere of relaxing sounds to your home by DIYing your own wind chimes from old measuring spoons. Use crafting wire to hang each one from the base, and make sure to hang them at similar but slightly varying lengths. Many measuring spoons come with a hole already drilled in the handle — if yours doesn’t, you’ll need to make one yourself. Once you have each one threaded with wire, hang the wind chime outside and wait for a breeze to flow through and create a beautiful medley of sounds.

Instead of letting your measuring cups hide in the back of a drawer between meal prep sessions, take them out and create your very own hanging farmhouse decor. While this is especially handy for the kitchen and baking-themed furnishing, there are no limitations to where you can infuse designs with old measuring cups. One idea is to create a baking board where you can hang them for easy access when you’re in the middle of a recipe.