Are there any bits and pieces, usually thrown away, which you routinely keep — not “in case I need this someday,” but because you actually use it for something else?  (Or because you have a specific plan to use it for something else?)

I save the elastic strings that often hold shoes together in pairs.  They are great for these bookmarks.

And large, flat pieces of #6 plastic are great for shrinkydinks.  (When we get deli boxes, for instance, I wash them out, then cut the flat panels off and save them, but toss the rest.)

We use yogurt lids (‘though not all of them!) under messy jars or bottles like syrup bottles so drips get the lids messy and not the cupboards, counters, etc.  When they get really gross, they can just be thrown away and replaced.  I know of people who also use them in the shower under metal containers like shaving cream cans to avoid rust rings on the bathtub.

I’m sure there are other things, but these are the ones I can think of right offhand.  Is there anything else along these lines that you use?

Do you have a great use for some odd item that’s usually tossed, like glue stick or deodorant containers or the tiniest fabric scraps?

Let us know in the comments!