Stop Throwing Away Empty Toilet Rolls: 7 Ways to Reuse Them in the Garden

If you’ve been tossing your empty toilet paper rolls into the trash or recycling bin, you might be missing out on a free and eco-friendly gardening resource. These simple cardboard tubes can serve multiple purposes in your garden, reducing waste while benefiting your plants. Here are seven creative ways to reuse them in your garden.

1. Seed Starters

Toilet paper rolls make excellent biodegradable seed starters. Simply cut them in half, fill them with potting soil, and plant your seeds. Once your seedlings are ready for transplanting, you can plant the entire roll directly into the soil—just be sure to loosen the cardboard slightly to help roots spread.

2. Compost Material

Cardboard is a great source of carbon, also known as “brown” material, for composting. Shred the rolls into smaller pieces and mix them with your kitchen scraps and yard waste to help maintain a healthy compost balance.

3. Pest Control Collars

Protect young plants from cutworms and other garden pests by placing a toilet paper roll around the base of seedlings. Bury part of the tube into the soil to create a barrier that deters crawling insects from reaching the stems.

4. DIY Bird Feeders

Coat a toilet paper roll with peanut butter and roll it in birdseed for an easy, homemade bird feeder. Slide it onto a tree branch or hang it from a string to attract birds that can help keep garden pests in check.

5. Mulch and Moisture Retainers

Cut toilet paper rolls into rings and place them around the base of plants before adding mulch. The cardboard helps retain moisture and suppress weeds, keeping your plants healthier.

6. Garden Markers

Flatten a toilet roll and cut it into strips to create simple biodegradable garden markers. Use a marker to write the names of your plants, and place them in the soil as temporary labels.

7. Root Trainers for Deep-Rooted Plants

For plants like beans and peas that need a deeper root system, use full-length toilet rolls as root trainers. Stand them upright in a tray, fill them with soil, and plant your seeds. The long tube encourages strong root development before transplanting.

Final Thoughts

Before tossing that empty toilet roll, consider how it might serve a second life in your garden. These simple, biodegradable tubes offer a variety of benefits, from protecting seedlings to nourishing compost. Give one (or all) of these ideas a try, and your garden will thank you!