it always seems like such a shame to throw out altoid tin cans once all the altoids have been eaten. The box is sturdy and comes in a variety of different shapes and sizes depending on the type that you purchase. The good news is that there are a large variety of ways that these tins can be reused and upcycled. Since they are fairly sturdy (at least compared to most packaging these days), they make for great containers to hold a variety of stuff that you can then stick in your pocket or keep in a convenient place until needed. So before you toss your next tin into the trash, consider some of these alternative uses instead.
Business Card Display
Photo Credit: Kristan Lynn
Altoid cans, with a little craft creativity, can make for a wonderful business card display. Simply decorate the can as you would like and fill it with business cards for customers to take. A good way to display business cards if you are at conventions or other events outside the office.
Crayon Holder
Photo Credit: A Girl And A Glue Gun
If you happen to have small children that love to draw, an altoid tin makes for a wonderful crayon holder. Not only will you have instant entertainment for the kids at restaurants, the container will help to lesson the number of crayons that you find beneath car seats and under couch cushions. It makes a handy little travel pack so that the kids can become artists whenever the feeling hits them.
Desk Organizer
If you have a lot of altoid cans, they can make for a wonderful desk or drawer organizer for all those little things that seem to get lost in the far corners. Any small thing such as buttons, pencil lead, twist ties, rubber bands, thumb tacks, staples, paper clips, etc will fit perfectly into these cans, and if you label them on one side, you can easily find them when you need them. using this system will instantly organize your desk so that everything has its proper container.
Fire Starting Kit
Photo Credit: Green and Growing
If you are looking for the most basic and essential need if you were to get lost in the wilderness, why not create a an [altoid tin fire starter kit](http://www.green-and-growing.com/2012/03/diy-altoids-tin-fire-kit.html). The kit includes a lighter, matches, Magnesium strip with steel rod, cotton balls, match striker, charcloth and twine. All this can fit into a mini altoid can.
Fishing Tackle Box
Photo Credit: Instructables
For those that love to fish, an empty altoid tin can make for a wonderful mini fishing tackle box ([tutorial](http://www.instructables.com/id/The-Pocket-Tacklebox/)). This allows you to be prepared to fish even on those outing where no fishing is planned, and it a great little extra to keep in your backpack or car.
Pill Box
Photo Credit: Thingiverse
If you take daily pills or vitamins, a used altoid tin can be upcycled into a convenient pocket pill box. Simply create sections depending on how many different pills you need to keep. Even if you don't take daily pills, this pill box can still come in handy for aspirin or other over-the-counter pills you might need when on vacation.
Sewing Kit
Photo Credit: Miss Repurpose
With little effort, you can turn an old altoid can into a mini travel sewing kit ([tutorial](http://missrepurpose.blogspot.com/2012/08/repurpose-altoid-tin-into-sewing-box.html)). It's great to tuck into a pocket of your luggage so that you always have it with you when you travel, or in your purse or daypack for the emergency sewing needs.
Survival Kit
Photo Credit: teotwawki blog
Take that used altoids can and make something that could end up saving your life. The compact compartment is perfect to put together a mini survival kit with some essential basics that could get you out of a tight spot if you were ever to get lost in the wilderness. Once put together, place it into your daypack / backpack so that it's always with you when you head out into nature. You can learn all the things to place in it [here](http://teotwawkiblog.blogspot.com/2010/12/altoid-survival-kit.html).
Travel Games
Photo Credit: Instructables
A used altoid can is the perfect size to create a pocket-sized travel game set that can include the classics like checkers, chess, tic-tac-toe, backgammon as well as card and dice games ([tutorial](http://www.instructables.com/id/Altoids-Tin-Travels-Games-Pocket-Size-Fun/)). This is great to take on long car trips for the kids, or any vacation when there will be times when you will have a wait. it's small enough that you can take it with you anywhere you go so that it's available for unanticipated times you end up getting stuck and need some entertainment.
Zen Garden
Photo Credit: cheshirekat
Need a little something to relax you at your work desk? Why not turn an empty altoid tin into a mini zen garden? You can sculpt the garden as shown in the photo to look at when the stress gets too much, or actually fill the tin with sand and small rocks that you can tend to relieve the stress. By putting together one, you have your own stress relief method that fits into your pocket.