Stop Throwing Away Empty Toilet Rolls: 7 Powerful Ways To Reuse them Again in the Garden
If you’ve got a small pile of cardboard tubes sitting around, don’t toss them. Stop Throwing Away Empty Toilet Rolls: 7 ways To Reuse them Again in the Garden is more than a catchy idea—it’s a simple habit that can save money, cut waste, and make your plants happier. These rolls are made from cardboard, which breaks down naturally, and that means they can be used in smart, practical ways outdoors.
Even better? You don’t need fancy tools, special skills, or a big yard. Whether you garden in raised beds, containers, or a tiny backyard patch, these ideas work almost anywhere. Let’s dig in—literally.
Why Empty Toilet Rolls Belong in Your Garden, Not the Trash
Cardboard toilet tubes are basically free garden supplies. They’re light, biodegradable, and surprisingly useful. They can help you start seeds, protect seedlings, and even add “brown” material to compost.
The hidden value of cardboard tubes
Cardboard is considered a carbon-rich material, which gardeners often call a “brown.” Browns balance out wet, nitrogen-rich “greens” like veggie scraps. When you reuse tubes in the garden, you’re putting that carbon to work instead of sending it to landfill.
Are toilet rolls safe for soil and plants?
Most plain, non-coated cardboard tubes are safe. They’re designed to be around paper products, and they break down over time in soil.
What to avoid: glossy, scented, or chemically treated rolls
Skip tubes that are:
- Glossy or coated
- Strongly scented
- Heavily dyed or glittery (rare, but it happens)
- Soaked in unknown chemicals (like cleaners)
Plain brown cardboard is best.
7 Ways To Reuse Empty Toilet Rolls Again in the Garden
Below are the practical, garden-tested ideas you can use right away. For best results, keep a small container under your sink or near your recycling bin and toss your tubes in there as you finish them.
1) Seed starter pots that transplant easily
This is the classic—and for good reason. Toilet rolls make perfect little seedling pots, especially for plants that don’t love having their roots disturbed.
Best seeds to start in cardboard tubes
These work especially well for:
- Beans
- Peas
- Cucumbers
- Squash
- Sunflowers
- Tomatoes (if you keep an eye on moisture)
Step-by-step: making a no-fuss starter pot
- Cut the roll in half (optional, for shorter pots).
- Make four small cuts (about 1 inch) on one end.
- Fold the flaps inward to create a base.
- Set it in a tray, fill with seed-starting mix, and plant your seed.
- Water lightly and keep it bright and warm.
When it’s time to plant outside, you can place the whole tube in the soil. The cardboard will break down, and roots will push through.
2) Biodegradable collars to protect seedlings from cutworms
Cutworms are sneaky pests that chew through tender seedlings right at soil level—like tiny plant bullies. A cardboard collar can stop them.
How deep to place the collar for best results
- Slide the tube around the seedling.
- Push it 1–2 inches into the soil.
- Leave 2–3 inches above the soil.
This creates a barrier that makes it hard for cutworms to reach the stem.
3) Mini compost “brown material” booster
If your compost gets smelly, slimy, or too wet, it likely needs more “browns.” Toilet rolls are an easy fix.
How to shred and mix for faster breakdown
- Tear tubes into strips (or cut them with scissors).
- Moisten slightly if your compost is very dry.
- Mix into kitchen scraps to balance moisture.
This can help compost break down more evenly and reduce odor.
4) Organized storage for seeds, labels, and garden twine
Gardening isn’t just dirt—it’s also tiny tools, seed packets, and stuff that loves to disappear.
Simple DIY seed packet sorter
Stand tubes upright in a shoebox and sort packets by:
- Season (spring/summer/fall)
- Plant type (greens, roots, herbs)
- Planting month
You can also slide twine spools into a tube, or use tubes to hold plant labels so they stay neat.
5) Mulch rings for moisture control around young plants
This trick helps in dry spells. Cardboard can act like a mini moisture shield near small plants.
When this works well—and when it doesn’t
Works well when:
- You’re starting young plants
- Soil dries out quickly
- You want to reduce light weed pressure
Doesn’t work well when:
- The area is soggy
- It rains constantly (it’ll break down too fast)
How to do it:
- Cut the tube open lengthwise.
- Wrap it around the base of the plant.
- Pin it down with a small rock or a U-shaped garden staple.
6) DIY biodegradable plant markers and label holders
If you’ve ever planted five things and then forgot what’s what… yep. This one’s for you.
Rain-proofing tricks without plastic
- Write on a flat piece of cardboard from the roll, not the curve (easier to read).
- Use a pencil (it often lasts longer than marker outdoors).
- Or, tuck a small paper label inside a short piece of tube to protect it from rain.
For a sturdier label holder, cut a tube into 2–3 inch rings and place them around small label sticks to keep them upright.
7) Bug hotel and beneficial insect shelter (small-scale)
Not all bugs are bad. Some are your garden’s best helpers—like ladybugs and lacewings that eat aphids.
Where to place it for best insect activity
- Bundle a few tubes together.
- Place them in a dry corner of the garden or near flowers.
- Keep them off soaking wet ground (under a small overhang or tucked in a sheltered spot is ideal).
This isn’t a giant fancy “insect hotel,” but it can still offer shelter for small beneficial insects.
Want to learn more about supporting beneficial insects? A good starting resource is the Xerces Society’s guides for pollinators and beneficial insects (external link): https://xerces.org
Pro Tips to Make Empty Toilet Rolls Last Longer Outdoors
- Keep them slightly sheltered if you want them to last more than a week or two.
- Double-layer for durability: slide one tube inside another.
- Anchor them: a small stone, garden staple, or a little soil piled around the base helps prevent blowing.
Moisture, mold, and weather: what’s normal
A little softening is normal—it’s cardboard! But if it turns mushy overnight, that usually means the area is too wet. Use rolls in drier spots, or use them in short-term jobs like collars and seed starters.
Common Mistakes People Make When Reusing Toilet Rolls
- Overwatering seed starters: cardboard holds moisture, so soggy soil can cause mold.
- Using tubes directly in very wet soil: they collapse too quickly.
- Planting too early outdoors: cold, wet spring soil can slow breakdown and stress seedlings.
Eco-Friendly Garden Habits That Pair Perfectly With Cardboard Reuse
If you like this low-waste idea, pair it with:
- Egg cartons for seed starting
- Newspaper as a weed-smother layer under mulch
- Paper bags for drying herbs or storing onions/garlic
Small changes add up fast.
FAQs About Reusing Empty Toilet Rolls in the Garden
1) Can I put toilet paper rolls directly in the soil?
Yes—plain cardboard rolls can go directly into soil. They’ll break down over time and can even help retain moisture briefly.
2) Do toilet rolls attract pests?
Usually no. But if they stay constantly wet, they may attract fungus gnats or mold. Keep them in well-drained areas and don’t overwater.
3) How long do toilet rolls take to decompose?
It depends on moisture and soil life. In warm, active soil, they can break down in a few weeks. In cold or dry conditions, it may take longer.
4) Are the glues in toilet rolls harmful to plants?
Most plain cardboard tubes use small amounts of adhesive and are generally considered safe for typical garden use. If you’re worried, compost them first.
5) Can I use paper towel rolls the same way?
Absolutely. Paper towel rolls work great, especially for taller seedling pots or stronger collars.
6) What plants should NOT be started in toilet roll pots?
Plants that dislike staying damp—like some herbs—may struggle if the cardboard stays wet. Also, very tiny seeds can be harder to manage in deep tubes unless you cut them shorter.
Conclusion: Turn a Tiny Habit Into a Big Garden Win
When you stop throwing away empty toilet rolls, you’re not just saving trash—you’re gaining a set of free, simple garden tools. With these ideas, you can protect seedlings, start seeds, tidy your supplies, and support composting without spending a dime. And honestly? It feels good to turn “waste” into something useful.
If you try even one of these ideas this week, your garden—and your bin—will thank you.
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