Now you need to be a little patient on this one and hear me out. I am being serious when I say that you can make money with the little cardboard tube from the middle of your toilet roll.
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This may sound like a load of cr*p (excuse the bad pun) but this seems to be a real and legitimate way that people are making money right now.
What do you do with that little cardboard tube when you’ve finished with it? Does it go straight into the recycling? Does it go into the arts and crafts box ready to become a spaceship, robot leg or whatever else a child’s imagination can make it? Or do you keep a stash hidden away to make a mint off?
I’m guessing not many people have ever tried to make money from their old, used cardboard tube that’s left over from the toilet roll.
I certainly never have but, after browsing on eBay the other day I think I may start soon (I’ve already got a collection of 12 and counting).
I don’t know why I found it. I never really know how I find half of the stuff I do but after spending a few minutes on the eBay app looking for something to buy, I came across people who sell their toilet rolls on for cash.
The thing is – people buy them!
I really like eBay. There are so many things that I’ve been able to pick up on the cheap and I’ve been able to use it time and time again to get rid of the old stuff that I no longer want. One man’s rubbish is another man’s treasure certainly rings true here as people love using these little tubes for arts and crafts, for planting seeds and even to make their own Christmas crackers.
The toilet roll tubes do sell as well. Not all of them and not at first but they do sell.
The sale average price for the middle of a toilet roll is about £7 (including postage) for around 50 rolls.
This type of money is not going to set the world on fire, it won’t clear a mountain of debt and I doubt you’ll be able to turn it into a full time business like I have with this blog but it’s a start and it’s more than if you just put them in the bin.
For an item that most would just throw away, by spending 10 minutes taking a photo, adding a listing and heading to the post office if they sell, you really could be onto a winner.
It’s not just toilet rolls that sell either. Check out my guide on selling your rubbish on eBay for profit where you’ll be surprised what junk you can sell and get a decent price for!
Top tips to sell your inner tubes from a toilet roll
I don’t quite believe I’ve put that as a heading but I’m really not joking!
- Sell them in sets of 25, 50 or 100, rather than individually and take some good photos in natural daylight. Spend a bit of time getting the listing right and you can just copy and paste it every time you want to sell some more.
- Offer free postage on the item as it looks more appealing as a buyer (build in a postage cost to a buy in now price). They are going to be very light so they won’t cost a huge amount to send anyway.
- Head to a supermarket and see if you can get boxes to use when shipping your goods. The last thing you want to be doing to fork out loads on an expensive box as it’s eating into any profit.
- Ask friends, family and work colleagues if they’ll donate their used cardboard tubes. You should tell them the truth of why you want them (it’s a bit devious making money from your friends if they could do with the cash too) but they may be happy to help with your business endeavours.
- If you are making money selling stuff (no matter how small) you need to register as self-employed with HMRC and declare your earnings. It may only be a few quid here and there but if selling really takes off you do need to pay your taxes.
Just think, how many toilet rolls do you get through each month?
Looking for other ways to make money? Check out:
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How to Make Millions on YouTube
7 Ways to Make Money Recycling Your Stuff
How to Make Money Selling Your Stuff
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vickie says
I got excited on this one and wondered if they do something like this in the United States. Yes they want our toilet paper tubes too! You bet I’m saving them ha ha!
Lewis78 says
Great idea but I’m a bit worried about elf’n’safety issues. I was a volunteer helper at a primary school a few years ago and the Head told us that schools had received a directive not to use toilet roll middles for making Christmas crackers for hygiene reasons.
Rachel Ramey says
I’ve seen instructions somewhere for sanitizing them, if you’re concerned. Honestly, though, most people probably have more germs on their toothbrushes (which usually sit out in the open in the bathroom) than their toilet paper rolls (which are generally pretty much covered up the whole time they’re out in the bathroom).
Lori says
A UVC sterilization light does great! And they are relatively inexpensive now. I do this with all my online store inventory . I’m a germafobe so I totally get the concern .
onemanandhissprog says
Amazing. We amass toilet rolls in the vain hope that we’re use them for crafting purposes but judging by our backlog and the distance to Christmas, getting shot of a few on eBay might be the thing!
Mina @ Thrift Cottage UK says
I’m not sure I’ll be rushing out to sell my loo rolls any time soon as it would take us SO LONG to save enough to sell, but we don’t chuck them. I either use them to start growing peas and beans in the spring or fold the ends in and use them as a gift box, tied with ribbon!
Great post, though – you learn something new every day!
Chantele Cross-Jones says
that is mad! people really will buy anything!
Ricky Willis says
One person’s rubbish…!
Lots of people make use of them so others may as well make some money :)
Ricky Willis says
Absolutely!
Avery Breyer says
This is by far the most creative way I’ve ever heard of to earn a few extra bucks… but why not! If someone has the time and could use the cash, sounds like a good idea to me!
krusatyr says
I have, whilst sitting in WC, made flowers from these rolls. Tear by hand or pocket knife 6 or 7 parallel, equally spaced longitudinal cuts half way down one end of the roll. Curl each resulting “petal” out and down to curve equally.
After leaving WC, crease and pinch other end of roll into tapered bottom section, then staple to hold. Wrap a wire with dull olive or brown kraft paper and insert the wire into the bottom of bloom.
Earthy way to decorate the top of a package wrapped in a kraft paper grocery bag with a torn-edged cardboard card the includes: ” … whilst I was sitting and thinking of you recently…”
Ricky Willis says
:-)
Ricky Willis says
I know – just imagine the potential rewards in things that we just think is rubbish. I can’t stop checking eBay to see if some of our stuff can be sold on :)
Ricky Willis says
There are lots of treasures you can cash in on!
Try: https://skintdad.co.uk/sell-your-rubbish-on-ebay-for-profit/ or https://skintdad.co.uk/7-ways-make-money-recycling/
Ruby says
I actually use spare toilet roll tubes to make DIY tubes, tunnels, bridges and toys for my hamsters. There are so many ideas and is really fun for both you and your hamster!
InzaD says
What is the best way to pack them. Tried packing 200 and they fill such a big box. Is it ok to press them flat?
Naomi Willis says
I personally wouldn’t flat pack them (unless you’ve said that in the description of the listing). You’re just gonna need a BIG box.
Christine stewart says
I will be selling rolls too.
Laura says
It is beyond me that people would buy other people’s cr@p contaminated items. Tests have been done showing there is fecal matter in the air in public restrooms. People are touching the roll, cleaning themselves then touching the roll again. Nobody washes their hands before getting that last bit of toilet paper….toilet rolls are dirty. Period.