Hi Folks,
Long time no write! However, I'm just wondering whether anybody can come up with some bright ideas for the use/disposal of the plastic tubs that contain fat-balls. One or two of these tubs are easy enough to deal with but if, like me, you buy them regularly to feed your garden birds, I'm sure that you too find that it isn't long before you have a tub mountain. Of course, I take a number of them to the local re-cycling site (taking the handles off first!) and use some around the house/garden, but I'm still left with a heap - and more to come! Any ideas would be gratefully accepted...
Perhaps it's time for the companies that sell them to re-think their containers?
Dotty
Hi Dotty
I don't know how many you buy at a time but the ones I get are from here twootz.com/.../Fat-Balls
I buy 300 at a time and they come in a box, you could then use your tubs to store them in
My Flickr photos
In reply to Alan:
Hi Dotty, good to see you posting again;
I use the 50 fat-ball containers to store a mixture of nuts/seed/suet in and for transporting bird food to the nature reserve I visit (Leighton Moss) and also to my local park area. I just put a scoop in the tub along with a strong plastic bag and clip so I can take out the quantity I need with me on the reserve each day. The tubs fit into the back seat passenger foot well so it's like having my own seed/nut store lol
I guess you could also use an empty tub by burying it in the ground to rim level, adding a couple of large rocks inside before filling with water for birds bathing purposes. If you left the handle to one side you could easily lift the tub out when replenishing with clean water. Never tried it but it may work.
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Regards, Hazel
Hi Alan,
I've checked out the website and it looks like it's just what I need... anything to get rid of those pesky tubs! Thanks.
In reply to HAZY:
Thanks Hazy, I do use the tubs for all sorts of things around the house and garden, but there seems to be no end to them when I keep buying the fat-ball in 50's, but Alan seems to have come up with a solution for me so I'll give it a go as soon as my present tub is close to emptying. I think it will work out a bit cheaper too, to buy in greater bulk.
On thinking about it, following your bird-bath idea, I might sink a few around the front garden in some secluded spots, in the hope of attracting some frogs. Although we have a pond in the back garden all our frogs have gone missing so this might bring them back!
In reply to dotty:
RSPB suet balls can also be bought in cardboard boxes of 50 or 150 at reserve shops and online, and are cheaper that way.
Also, a fellow volunteer has talked about adapting the tubs as hedgehog homes, and also as guardians to stop larger animals from getting at the hedgehog food. If there is interest, I will find out more - and maybe get some photos.
In reply to Sue C:
Good idea! That's one I hadn't thought of - I'll give it a try, it might make a small refuge for them, or for any other critters that might need a home. Thanks Sue!
OK - I have some photos from my colleague:
Hedgehog Home
Food Shelter
Both are in use! Depending on the location, the tubs may need to be weighted down by something.
In reply to Cliff nichols:
Cliff nichols said:Hi Dotty, I can REUSE. The containers that you wish to be rid of. I will of coarse pay postage and packing.
You might not get a reply from Dotty, the last post was almost five years ago.
Mike
Flickr Peak Rambler