Despite my husband's concerns that I'm becoming an episode of Hoarders, I like to save the waxed paper bags from cereals and other boxed foods. I use them when I microwave frozen veggies and other small dishes. I just slip the bowl into the waxed bag and fold the excess under the bowl to create a steam bag. I don't need to use any water with the frozen veggies, making them healthier.
And, you can wash them out and use them again. Yes, I said, use them again. Why not? It's only veggie steam that's come in contact with the bag. I just rinse it out with very hot tap water, turn it upside down in the dish-drying rack, and there you go.
I don't like using plastic cling wrap in the microwave, so this is a better alternative. And best of all, it's free and keeps some junk out of the landfills for a while. There are lots of other uses for these bags if you give it some thought.
Really frugal or really cheap? You decide.
By ~gloria from Western NY
When I put my 5 lb. bag of sugar in my storage bin I carefully clean it out, roll it up, and put 3 into a ziplock bag to use as freezer bags for my homemade sandwiches or cookies.
For several years we've been Costco members. We mostly purchase food items from them, especially prepared meals sealed in vacuum bags and also packaged in sturdy black plastic trays that have no lids. I've been using the trays as desk drawer office supply holders (the trays are the right size for pens, paper clips, little note pads, etc.), but I now have accumulated way more of these trays than I need.
If I still created water colors I could use some of the trays for rinsing paint brushes, I guess, but I no longer paint.Perhaps you could donate some of your trays to your local schools for students to use in their art class or to nursing homes to use for the elderly to make of in activities. Also to church's at VBS time. Children are making things and could possibly use them.
You can use them for winter sowing seeds. Cover with plastic and make some vents.
Maybe a senior center can use them as paint trays or for crafting!
YES!!! This is the answer!!! I vote for this one! I do this all the time--write letters and send emails to companies asking them to reduce their plastic uses and have packaging with less impact on our world. Sadly most either never respond, or I get the form, "thank you for you comment" message. I think if the more people expressed this request, and showed they are serious by buying less at these stores, they would get the message. We have significantly reduced shopping at places that we feel are poor environmental stewards. Sadly we can't eliminate it completely because some are places that we need to go for prescriptions.
As an aside and to answer your immediate question--There is a very small resale market for these items...I found one sold listing for people selling a lot of 4 13 3/4" x 10 1/2" (on eBay) for 16.99 which included SELLER paying shipping.
These items make a great drainage system for plants that you water in your home. You can sit the plants in them and when watered the tray will collect the excess water. I would also use the trays to start new plants with. You can also grow small herb gardens in your kitecne in you use two trays.
You are not supposed to judge products based on packaging alone, but I am easily amused and distracted when products have "nice packaging". I actually purchased a couple clear glass bottles with stoppers at Ikea a few months ago, but you can find the exact concept at Sprouts for their Sparkling Lemonade Lemon - 25.4 oz.
When care is taken to sanitize these containers, they can be reused to organize, catch water under plants and a wide variety of ways. This is a page about uses for plastic meat trays.
Empty snack food bags can be reused at least once before they are simply thrown into the trash, thus serving a dual purpose. This is a page about uses for potato chip bags.
Ever wonder what you can do with those little squeeze bottles shaped like a lemon? Here is one solution; make a recycled plastic lemon vase.
This is a page about uses for Styrofoam meat trays. Reusing Styrofoam packaging helps keep it out of the landfill. There are a variety of uses for the trays used for packing meat.
Bookmarks: Attractive boxes such as candy boxes can be cut into bookmarks. Use the side panels. You can use a hole punch and put a ribbon through if you'd like.
Here is an inner seal from a large 'can' of coffee. I have been saving these things for quite some time. I save them because they are so tough and durable. I'd like to find a good use for them. With all you members, especially the ladies, coming up with great ideas for crafts and reuse of items, I'm hoping to get a couple ideas about how to put these seals to good use.
Any ideas, Y'all?
Doug
Hmm... IF you have a garden you could punch a hole in the little tab and hang the disk on your garden fence to deter birds or other critters.
You could also form the disk over a cup of tea/coffee/drink to keep it hot or cold.
You can use them as coasters to prevent spills or stains on furniture when you place a cup down on them.
You can fit them over an open small paint can if you are painting a project.
You could place them under a potted plant (and even shape them to the bottom of the pot) to prevent water from spilling out or staining the table.
How about any of those ideas? :)
Donna
Mockingbirds are pecking holes in all my tomatoes. I hung a few of these seals on each plant. It did nothing to deter the birds.
I have some indoor plants in 'designer' shiny black plastic pots.
