This is a thread for re-purposed survival gear, let's hear yours!
Re-purposed means taking an object that was intended for one use and using it for another use.
Net bags that oranges come in: some are unusable but most can be reused. Always be careful how you open your oranges so that you aren't cutting the bottom; even still, some come apart as a tube but one end can be tied closed as a bottom. They make extremely light bags and can maybe used for the construction of a fishing trap but I have not tried that.
Wax covered cotton earplugs: I love using these as fire starters because they are not as messy as cotton balls and petro jelly; they can be packed in a mini kit without needing their own container unlike CB/PJ. To use just pull one apart to expose the cotton fibers. Each one makes two fire starters but I have also pulled them into quarters. Dollar stores seem to have the best prices for these and they are cheaper to commercial product tinder that is the same wax/cotton material.
Elastics around broccoli: use as a fire starter with a lighter, but more useful to hold gear together such as a sharpening steel to your knife sheath. They do dry out so replace when needed.
Gatorade bottles: Many plastic bottles that held juice but were meant to be used only once will make good water bottles, however the Gatorade ones seem to be used the most by through-hikers and I can personally attest to their durability and leak proof qualities and they are lighter than a Nalgene bottle (Nalgene rocks btw).
Tyvek house sheathing: Durable but noisy; popular with the ultralight crowd. Can be used as a ground sheet or tarp. Not common to find for free but if you know someone using it on their house ask them to save you the left overs.
Note: Condoms and dental floss are often suggested even by the "experts" but I find there are much better things to carry your water in and good 100% nylon thread is just as cheap and easy to find as dental floss. Not everything is worth re-purposing. CDs and DVDs as signal mirrors: I find these too fragile, too large, and too much of a toy to bother with; signaling is very important so buy a professional signal mirror.
Why did I join Canadian Preppers Network?
Well I was going to join the UK Network but those bloody Brits don't know how to speak proper English! 😉
deleted
They act as both elastic bands and fire starters in a pinch; but suitable for flame based fire starting and not friction or spark methods. So if people get flats that are beyond repair they can still use the non-damaged part of the inner tube.
Why did I join Canadian Preppers Network?
Well I was going to join the UK Network but those bloody Brits don't know how to speak proper English! 😉
I have carpal tunnel or tendonitis in my wrist. I have a physical job, housekeeping and maintenance in a small hotel. Either repetitive motion or heavy lifting. So I quite often use duct tape on my wrist. The brand that is readily available at work doesn't cause any skin reactions. (I have a different brand at home that causes my wrist to swell slightly and the skin gets irritated.) I've tried the neoprene type but they are too thick (catch on stuff) and get soggy when they get wet.
Vanislemom - have you tried a Chiropractor for your Carpal Tunnel?
http://www.choosenatural.com/carpal-tunnel/ (scroll down to natural healing section)
I really hope it helps!
Russell Coight....outback legend
I was in the metal scrap yard the other day looking for material to make some Gasifier‘s, found some 5,25 and 45 gal. drums. The pipes needed and an old RV propane refrigerator for cooling the gas. A tinker by nature and a designer by trade. Might try to make a few of these, maybe sell one. 
"We 'Prep.' to live after a downfall, Not just to survive."