12 Everyday Items Preppers Won’t Throw Away
FEMA’s most recent National Household Survey finds nearly 60% of Americans perceive themselves to be prepared for a disaster emergency, and 10% still see no need to prepare. Prepping is all about resourcefulness. Preppers don’t just stockpile food or gear; they find everyday items, often dismissed as trash, and transform them into tools for survival.
According to The Guardian, in 2024, over 20 million Americans identified as preppers. Forbes further states that Gen Z (people born between 1997 and 2012) are most likely to be preppers, with 40% identifying as such. Preparedness is not just about what you have; it’s about how creatively you can use it in a global crisis or a small-scale emergency.
And what crazy stuff do these savvy people never throw away? Here are 12 everyday items preppers always have handy—and how you can put them to good use.
Plastic Peanut Butter Jars
These sturdy, wide-mouth jars are a prepper’s dream for dry storage. They are also great to fill with beans, rice, or even food like pretzels to keep food fresh and protect it from pests. They’re transparent, so you know what’s inside. In addition, their screw-on lids make them spill-proof for emergencies on the go.
Why it’s brilliant: They’re lightweight and durable—perfect for reuse without cracking under pressure.
Plastic Food Tubs
Do you ever wonder what to do with yogurt or sour cream containers? Preppers use these multi-size tubs for just about everything. They store leftovers, freeze soups, or use smaller ones for homemade lotions and balms. Got a DIY project? These can make excellent paint or glue holders.
Why it’s brilliant: It’s easy to clean, endlessly reusable, and takes up way less space than Tupperware.
Empty Spice Jars
Preppers collect spice jars not just for spices but to organize and store small but essential items like sewing needles, matches, or screws. Create a mini survival kit by popping essentials like bandages or fire starters into these handy-sized containers.
Why it’s brilliant: They’re great for stashing away tiny, essential items, and they’re compact and airtight.
Egg Cartons
Egg cartons aren’t just disposable—they make great tools for gardening and storage. Preppers use them to grow seedlings away from rocks, make molds for DIY candles, or even keep their eggs safe. Others poke drainage holes into the bottom to use the Styrofoam versions as potting trays.
Why it’s brilliant: They are lightweight, biodegradable, and have countless upcycling opportunities.
Dryer Lint
This fluffy by-product of laundry is gold for preppers! Yes, dryer lint is one of those great little fire starters packed in small Ziploc bags. It’s flammable and works like a charm on damp days when twigs do not ignite as easily.
Why it’s brilliant: It is compact and free, making it an excellent addition to a bug-out bag without the added weight.
Newspapers
Old newspapers do more than provide yesterday’s news. Preppers shred them to put in garden mulch, begin a fire, or perhaps be used to insulate or wrap up fragile little things. They’re great on the creative end for crafts or emergency toilet paper substitutes.
Why it’s brilliant: It is decomposable, flammable, and infinitely repurposable.
Outgrown Clothes
Tossing that shirt just because it has holes isn’t the answer. Preppers cut old clothes into rags for cleaning or strips for rope. Buttons can be saved for sewing repairs, and fabric can be quilted or patchworked into blankets. You can use thicker fabrics like denim to reinforce tool belts and backpacks.
Why it’s brilliant: It keeps fabric waste down and provides rugged DIY solutions.
Mason Jars and Canning Lids
Preppers love mason jars because they’re a prepper’s ultimate multi-tool. As such, they’re great for canning and food preservation, and their hardy design makes them ideal for storage outside the kitchen, such as candles, sewing kits, or emergency water containers. While canning lids aren’t reusable for sealing, they are great for bartering or as backups.
Why it’s brilliant: It is durable, reusable, and vital for long-term food storage.
Coffee Beans and Hand Grinders
Some folks take comfort in coffee, and some get the jitters without it, even in survival scenarios. To get the most out of long-term storage, preppers often store whole beans in food-grade buckets and use manual grinders to brew without power.
Why it’s brilliant: It provides a morale boost and keeps you alert–a necessity in emergencies when decision-making is essential.
Manual Can Openers
Useless is an electric can opener during a power outage. According to preppers, they can never have enough manual can openers, and they should be in your kitchen, your bug-out bag, and/or your vehicle emergency kit. As a barter item, a can opener could come in handy.
Why it’s brilliant: These simple tools meet practicality and reliability.
Baking Soda
Baking soda isn’t just for baking. It’s the main thing preppers use for almost everything: cleaning without harsh chemicals, deodorizing, treating bug bites, and even making toothpaste when necessary. It is one of the items with a virtually infinite shelf life.
Why it’s brilliant: It is cheap, incredibly versatile, and lasts long.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a must-have prepping ingredient for everything from preserving food to cleaning. It’s reputed to help digestion and boost immunity. It is often used as a substitute for antibiotics or a water purification tool.
Why it’s brilliant: An indispensable, multifunctional, and naturally long-lasting function.
You don’t have to be a prepper to see the value in everyday items. After initial use, start small by keeping one or two of these items. Over time, assess which ones are most useful for your lifestyle and expand from there.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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