I was thinking of posting this tip, when another reader asked the very question, so here goes: Save the containers that grocery and consumable items come in and repurpose them!
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Here are a few examples:
Plastic foam meat trays: cut notches on each end and use them to wind articles to keep them from tangling, from Christmas lights to fishing line.
Jimmy Dean pre-cut sausage patty slices come on a very hard plastic twin tray, suitable for beading projects, to set on a bathroom or kitchen counter to hold jewelry, perfect size for a pencil/pen tray, etc.
Coffee creamer shaker bottles can be used for glitter, powdered sugar, a few loads of laundry detergent to the laundromat instead of the whole box, bath salts, you name it.
I always, always buy products in glass jars versus plastic, like salsa, jelly, peanut butter, etc. These are then washed and recycled as homemade jelly and jam jars (yes, they are safe, as long as you seal the jelly with a parrafin wax layer on top). I put hot peppers in vinegar in them, etc.
Other plastic jars with screw on lids are saved for camping trips and the like, to carry shampoo, syrup, ground coffee, sugar, etc. Keeps things from spilling, also raccoons, bears, and sugar ants can't unscrew the lids!
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Metal coffee cans instead of plastic store cooking oil after use.
Spices in clear glass or plastic bottles-when empty, I use them to store beads I have sorted
Rectangular plastic baby wipe containers store and carry medicine bottles all together neatly
Green plastic berry baskets store kitchen sponges upright to air dry
Plastic net onion bags are perfect for bathtub toys.
Plastic liquid laundry detergent bottles with the spout removed are perfect to sit beside the sink for compost scraps; screw the lid on to keep bugs out, odors in, until you are ready to take them outside.
Any type of food or food safe container with a screw lid in your cabinets or pantry to store flour, sugar, corn meal, grits, macaroni, etc. and will prevent bugs. No food, no air, no survivors! Simple as that!
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When you wash a lidded container, even though you dry it, before you store it, place a paper towel in it, then close the lid. This will absorb excess moisture until you are ready to use it,and will also prevent rust on metal canning jar lids stored on their jars.
One use is for small amounts of leftovers. Carry a serving of soup or pasta or breakable treats like chips, crackers, or cookies in your school/work lunch.
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Since they stack well, fill with beads or other craft supplies. Give small food gifts such as fudge squares or cookies in them.
I was thinking of posting this tip, when another reader asked the very question, so here goes: Save the containers that grocery and consumable items come in and repurpose them!
