The other day I crammed a Costco trip in between a doctor appointment and taking James to preschool. In order to save time, we ate lunch at Costco, too. Anymore, I feel guilty about eating lunch out because of all the unnecessary packaging that comes along with the food. The trip to Costco was no exception. I ordered a Chicken Cesar salad for myself and got James a slice of pizza.
But unlike most of the flimsy plastic containers salad comes in at fast food restaurants, this container was study. Plus, the bottom of the container was made with #5 plastic, which can be recycled. The lid wasn’t recyclable, but it was very sturdy and snapped well onto the bottom. I realized that I could reuse this container for leftovers, and eventually recycle part of it.
Instead of throwing the container in the trash, I put it in my shopping bag. I felt a little silly when the person whom checks shopper’s purchases at the door peered in my bag and saw the container. But feeling was short lived when I thought of all the multiple uses I would get out of the container.
So my Thrifty Green Thursday tip of the week is get as many uses out of containers as you can. Click here for more tips.
But unlike most of the flimsy plastic containers salad comes in at fast food restaurants, this container was study. Plus, the bottom of the container was made with #5 plastic, which can be recycled. The lid wasn’t recyclable, but it was very sturdy and snapped well onto the bottom. I realized that I could reuse this container for leftovers, and eventually recycle part of it.
Instead of throwing the container in the trash, I put it in my shopping bag. I felt a little silly when the person whom checks shopper’s purchases at the door peered in my bag and saw the container. But feeling was short lived when I thought of all the multiple uses I would get out of the container.
So my Thrifty Green Thursday tip of the week is get as many uses out of containers as you can. Click here for more tips.
10 comments:
That must be simliar to one I got at a deli once. It was a very nice container and I too felt a little silly carrying it out but I didn't let it bother me. It was nice to use to give food away in as then I didn't feel bad if I didn't get it back.
I do this too!! I reuse butter bowls and put little things in them, or give leftovers to a friend.
We do this too! And use those containers to give food to people too. Sometimes if it's a recyclable container I can't reuse at home (like a water bottle my husband got at a road race) then I take it home w/ me and put it in my recycling bin.
I think the same thing......after eating, I look at the pile of stuff leftover afterward and I feel guilty, too.....good thing it is only a once a week (if that) deal!
I reuse every plastic container that I can! Great tip!
I do this too. I try not to buy any tupperware or any other food storage containters. I re-use from takeout.
Good for you! It's always a little tricky at first overcoming those feelings of eco-embarrassment but you ended up with a free container and a lot less green guilt. I bring home recyclable containers and even orange peels to recycle/compost at home. It weirds out a few people in our lunchroom, but it makes me feel a whole lot better! Thanks for joining us this week for Thrifty Green Thursday!
Now if only the rest of the world was an conscientious as you are, our kids will have a planet to live on
I used to do stuff like this all the time. I have even gone so far as to fish zip-lock bags out of the trash, taken them home, washed them, and reused them. (I was not dumpster diving . . . I'm talking about witnessing a friend drop a bag in the trash and then quickly snapping it out. Okay, that doesn't sound much better.)
Anyway, after ending up with a HUGE collection of plastic containers, I finally quit. My city started recycling plastic tubs last year, so I recycled them and then vowed not to collect them anymore. That's meant that I try hard not to buy things in plastic tubs. I do still save jars, which I think make much nicer storage containers. They're nonporous, see-through, and I don't have to worry about dangerous plastics.
I get the funniest looks when I stuff dirty containers in my purse. Glad to know i'm not alone!
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