High-tech hacks for Altoids tin

After the "curiously strong" mints have been eaten, the container doubles as an MP3 case and more.
The New York Times
Photos: Minty MP3

The story "High-tech hacks for Altoids tin" published February 3, 2005 at 9:56 AM is no longer available on CNET News.

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[markdoiron]

Low Tech Altoids Tin Use

my son made a backpacking stove with an altoids tin. little permalite to fill the interior, a piece of screendoor screen to hold it in, fill it with a capful (standard backpacking fuel bottle) of alcohol and it'll boil water in just a couple minutes. he' fab'd up a small metal box only slightly larger than the altoids tin that folds open to serve as a place to rest a small pot.

lots smaller and lighter (yes!) than an msr/primus/whatever stove. for us, serves as a great backup stove to the standard primus (and the alcohol bottle we're carrying is a cleaner way to prime the primus than using white gas).

mark d.

What about the heart shaped tins?

Altoids came out with a heart shaped tin not too long ago. Are they still making those? Will iPod make an iHeart (an iPod in the shape of a heart) to fit the case?

What else can you use the heart shaped case for? <a class="jive-link-external" href="http://allwaysmusic.modblog.com/" target="_newWindow">http://allwaysmusic.modblog.com/</a>

Do Altoids tins come in other shapes? Will they some day? That might be cool. Then we can find even more ways to use them.

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Altoid tins are NOT recyclable

Even though there are dozens of creative uses for a used Altoid tin, the folks at Altoids are not making them from recyclable materials! Why they can't make a tin that's good for the environment is beyond me, especially since they make a kazillion of these things every year. Can they seriously expect everyone to make an MP3 player out of their old tins?

Here is the response I got from them when I questioned this policy:

"Thanks for visiting our Web site. Your comments concerning the impact of packaging materials on the environment are important to us. This issue is complex and one that, while difficult to address, is a major concern for us.


We're trying to provide the best food to people at minimal environmental impact. A major objective today is to follow the guidelines of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, which recommends using less packaging, recycling, and waste-to-energy incineration.

Please be assured that our packaging engineers are continuously exploring many different packaging concepts. Because of their efforts, our products now use less packaging than in the past. Please be assured that your comments will be forwarded to our packaging personnel."

Please take the time to express your concern over this issue directly on their web site at:

<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.altoids.com/index.aspx?area=contactform" target="_newWindow">http://www.altoids.com/index.aspx?area=contactform</a>

[Bill Dautrive]

So what?

Recycling is often the more wasteful choice. Not all the time, but often enough.

[rkyobo]

altoids tin

Steve, what would you want them to do - get rid of the tin and use aluminum? Or is their tin already partially made of aluminum? I'm trying to find non-aluminum packaged products, because of the connection between alzheimers and aluminum. My mother has alzheimers, and now my 31 yr old son has been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment which is a pre-cursor for alzheimers. My father used to work at an aluminum plant, and made my mom a ring from aluminum. She wore that ring for around 40 years until it finally broke one day. Also...aluminum is in so many products nowadays...check labels and you'll see...even cheese and coffee creamer. Aluminum may be recylable, but it's also dangerous to our lives if it builds up too much in our bodies. Check out the report about it on alzheimers.org website.

Joy Kelley