May 6, 2026, 7:58 am | Read time: 3 minutes
Many people use old egg cartons for crafts, as seedling pots, or refill them with fresh eggs. However, this isn’t always a good idea.
Throwing away an empty egg carton right away might not seem very sustainable. But reusing egg cartons, such as for crafts, small seedling pots, or fresh eggs, is not always recommended. In some cases, it’s better to avoid it altogether. myHOMEBOOK explains why this is the case and when you should never reuse egg cartons.
Why shouldn’t you reuse empty egg cartons?
The EU food hygiene regulation states that food businesses may only reuse packaging for food if it is easy to clean and, if necessary, easy to disinfect. Egg cartons do not fall into this category. Therefore, according to the regulation, food businesses are not allowed to reuse cardboard egg cartons. Consumers, according to the Consumer Center, are not subject to this regulation.
Nevertheless, for hygiene reasons, you should refrain from reusing used egg cartons. Numerous germs and pathogens, such as salmonella, can reside on the surfaces, leading to health issues. Residual feces, sometimes found on eggs, can be responsible for transmitting diseases.
Also interesting: Can you reuse old soil?
When you can still use used egg cartons
So, you shouldn’t use egg cartons again, as chicken intestinal bacteria, like salmonella, can stick to the eggs. These can cause illness, especially in people with weakened immune systems. Yet, there are numerous crafting instructions online. Often, seedling pots are made from old egg cartons. Is this still possible, or should you avoid it?
“If you are aware of this and wash your hands after use, I see no problem with further use,” explains Prof. Dr. Markus Egert, microbiologist and household hygiene expert, in response to a myHOMEBOOK inquiry. Growing seedlings in soil is therefore less critical–crafting with children is, according to the expert. “Then I would rather use them for repeated egg shopping and store them dry in between.”
Also interesting: How to use egg cartons for plant cultivation
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How to properly dispose of egg cartons
You can dispose of egg cartons in the paper recycling bin–which you should do after the eggs are used. This allows them to be recycled, promoting sustainable practices. If the cartons are heavily soiled, such as when an egg breaks, the trash bin is a better option. Otherwise, the paper recycling container or the blue bin is the right choice.
Proper handling of eggs in the household
When using eggs in cooking or baking, special hygiene is required. Important: Always wash your hands after cracking an egg. This is because germs quickly transfer to the skin and then to other foods. Additionally, cooking utensils should be thoroughly cleaned with hot water after coming into contact with eggs.