Posted by: Dryer
Amazing New Discovery! Recycled toothpaste tubes! - 12/28/09 10:18 AM
I should win the Nobel Prize for this.
My dental industry wife gets dozens of those little toothpaste samples all year. We've been tossing them after they are empty. Little .75 oz. guys...empty tube feels like nothing.
Examining them closer, they appear to be injection moulded plastic and very tough. I re-inflated an empty one and they hold their shape. Washing them out with hot water and detergent, I found they can be easily refilled with whatever liquid/goo you want! In my case I injected (with a big shot syringe) Vaseline, for fire starting. You could also use it for honey, olive oil, jelly, whatever. You'll need to wash it several times to get all the toothpaste/minty stuff out, and let dry a day.
Just make sure you remark the tube with a sharpie, or hilarious results could happen.
Nobel Backpacking Prize 2010, here I come!
My dental industry wife gets dozens of those little toothpaste samples all year. We've been tossing them after they are empty. Little .75 oz. guys...empty tube feels like nothing.
Examining them closer, they appear to be injection moulded plastic and very tough. I re-inflated an empty one and they hold their shape. Washing them out with hot water and detergent, I found they can be easily refilled with whatever liquid/goo you want! In my case I injected (with a big shot syringe) Vaseline, for fire starting. You could also use it for honey, olive oil, jelly, whatever. You'll need to wash it several times to get all the toothpaste/minty stuff out, and let dry a day.
Just make sure you remark the tube with a sharpie, or hilarious results could happen.
Nobel Backpacking Prize 2010, here I come!