There can't be many homes where "disposable" plastic food packaging gets disposed of automatically - I hope! It's too easy to think that recycling is enough - it's not. Stuff put in the recycling bin still takes energy to be recycled even though it is not bulking out landfill. Don't miss out the "reuse" part of "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" - please.
Most people, I think, use (disposable) plastic containers with lids in the store cupboard and freezer. I think butter or margarine tubs are great for single portions of soup, for example. An old ice cream tub corrals my spice jars and another keeps the jams etc tidy in the fridge. Craft supplies are neatly hoarded in hummus pots which are transparent and so I can see at a glance what's in each.
Old milk cartons often get cut in half, the top section making a handy scoop (with handle) if the cap is screwed back in or it will make a funnel if there is no cap on it. The bottom half gets used to keep pencils neat and I roll my tights putting one pair in each bottom half so they can stay reasonably neat in the drawer. Being square the pots sit together well.
Large circular plastic dishes make great microwave covers. I rarely need to use clingfilm as these are much easier to use. Smaller dishes are great plant pots and also get used for growing seeds which can then get potted on into yoghurt or cream pots.
Anybody got more ideas as to how more plastics can be reused?
We try an reuse as much as we can. But if there is an option to buy the product we require in a box, we always chose it, unless it is stupidly over priced.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! It's also good to see that the "reduce" part of the scheme is being taken more seriously bu government, producers and supermarkets.
DeleteI'm getting much bbetter on the reduce part-trying to buy ess packaging to begin with but it is difficult. Good tip on the milk jugs-hadn't thought of either those uses.
ReplyDeleteHappy to be of service, Ma'am.
DeleteI'm always looking for ways of reusing things. Hotel disposable shower caps make great good covers. Holes in the milk lid make for a brilliant sprinkler water bottle.
ReplyDeleteMilk bottles are so useful, aren't they. Don't get many disposable shower caps but when I do they go a similar way to yours.
DeleteI keep shower cap to put on my cycle seat when it rains.
DeleteMice one. I don't think it would be big enough for a trundle truck seat but you've given me a small idea to try out.
DeleteBy which I mean nice one. Doh!
DeleteI wash out freezer bags, dry them and re use.
ReplyDeleteThat's a habit I've tried to cultivate but with limited success.
DeleteIf I buy sliced bread, I save the empty bags and re-use them - handy for wrapping bacon, cold meats, cheese, etc. in the fridge or freezer and, of course, poo bags!
ReplyDeleteI try to find packs of toilet rolls that are wrapped in paper, not plastic - but more manufacturers need to get with the trend of not using as much plastic.
And WHY do supermarkets have broccoli that is plastic-wrapped alongside 'naked' broccoli . . . and why on earth would anyone prefer the plastic-wrapped one? I find myself staring, jaw dropping, at anyone who makes that choice.
I think pressure will increase on supermarkets/manufacturers to improve their packaging. And I'm definitely with you on the film wrapped broccoli - do people think it's more hygienic?
DeleteI use two gallons of vinegar each month and save all the jugs. I cut them about half into and planted flowers and food plants in the bottom half. Oh, before I planted in them, I took off the label and spray painted them green just because I had green paint. They worked well. I had lots of funnels left over.
ReplyDeleteThe funnels are handy if you need one for something which isn't "nice" eg oil for the car, as you can dispose of it rather than needing to clean it meticulously.
DeleteThe milk bottle tip is a great one - excellent scoops for things like bird seed and dishwasher salt! The big 5l plastic bottles that things like white vinegar comes in get re-used as bottles to decant and pre-mix screenwash for the cars into - we both carry one in our boot and have others lined up on the shelf ion the garage ready to just grab when one is needed. I saw a great idea the other day converting a plastic "tetrapak" style carton of the sort that soup comes in sometimes into a bird feeder too - you cut out one or both sides, re-seal the pull-apart top with a length of twine glued into it for hanging, and then the seed goes in the bottom - such a great idea! We also save plastic bags from things like fruit, or multipacks of crisps and use those in place of rubbish bags in the kitchen. The bags loo rolls come in are also great for this!
ReplyDeleteSome great ideas, I particularly like the hummus pots and milk cartons.
ReplyDeleteMilk cartons can be cut up and used as plant labels too, they were very handy when I had my allotment and grew lots of seeds. I try to buy as many things without plastic packaging these days as I can but there's still so many things that you just can't, it's very frustrating.
ReplyDeleteAnother use for the larger milk bottle......cut off half of the front including top and use for screws etc. Retain handle of course.
ReplyDelete