The Many Amazing Uses for Not so Disposable Plastic Containers
Contrary to popular belief, plastic products aren’t made from petroleum by products but by the very stuff that powers our cars and heats our homes. If ever a product needed to be reduced, reused, and recycled, it’s got to be plastics.
If you’ve ever picked up a deli salad or a Starbucks iced mocha, you probably noticed that most of these so-called “disposable” plastic containers are pretty darn sturdy. According to the Ecology Center, these plastics can actually be reused about 25 times before they begin to fall apart. Instead of tossing those containers into the recycling right away, it’s much greener to find 25 other uses instead. Here’s a few ideas for how you can reuse your disposable plastic containers:
Holding leftovers
The obvious use for a food container is to reuse it over & over again for food. Margarine tubs, deli & salad containers are great for leftovers, and for sending home meals with Grandparents and college-aged children. I even tuck a few in my purse for when we go out to eat. It’s definitely much greener to bring your own doggie bag from home!
Storing bulk food items
Use clean deli containers to store your bulk food items. Because the containers are clear, it’s easy to see what’s inside. They also stack quite easily which frees up shelf space.
Mold new salads from scratch
Fluted jello salad containers purchased from the deli case can be reused to mold new salads, aspics, and other molded treats.
The many uses for plastic cups
Plastic cups can be run through the dishwasher ~ top rack only ~ where they’ll be cleaned and sterilized for a future use. Save them for classroom parties, neighborhood picnics, and family reunions.
The ones that come with domed lids are perfectly shaped for holding artists brushes, especially water color brushes that must be kept wet while being used. Keep a row of cups on the shelf in the tool room ~ the small opening makes it easy to sort assorted bolts and nails. In the early spring, these domed cups will make wonderful miniature “greenhouses” for tiny seedlings. Don’t forget to pierce a few holes in the bottom for drainage!
As a gardening tool
Yogurt containers are great for starting seedlings, and can be cut apart to make labels for identifying garden produce. For controlling pests organically, collars made of quart size yogurt and cottage cheese containers can be placed around the base of a young tomato plant to prevent cutworms from climbing up the stalk.
Toting sack lunches from home
Plates with snap on lids, such as the kind you get with a McDonalds salad or a chicken meal from KFC can be used for brown bag lunches from home. They can’t be microwaved, but are great for holding cold salads or making up cheese & cracker platters in the style of those over-priced Lunchables.
Reuse for pot lucks, funeral dinners, school carnivals and more
I’ve been to family parties where the guests brought premade veggie trays, cookies or cakes neatly presented on large, disposable platters with snap on lids. These platters can all be washed and used for future events; the cake plates can be used for school carnival cake walks and dessert auctions, cookie trays for class parties, and veggie platters for school & church picnics.
Donate them
If you find yourself with an abundance of plastic food containers, why not send them over to a soup kitchen or community supper program? Many of these charities will accept clean, used containers for sending home meals with the poor.
