Take Advantage of Reusable Containers: Do Good

Credit: Apartment Therapy

What happens to the unnecessary plastic wrap that your food comes in, after you’ve eaten the food?  Think margarine and yogurt containers– the best thing you can do is prevent buying unnecessary packaging in the first place (we’ve noticed that if you buy butter in uncut blocks, it comes in the most minimal of packaging versus margarine which often comes in plastic tubs).  Other foods such as yogurt, can be purchased in large quantities to prevent purchasing lots of tiny containers.

How to Take Advantage of Reusable Containers

Once you’ve minimized the amount of packaging you purchase (and believe us: if you buy that yogurt, you’re paying for that packaging!) the next best thing you can do is USE that packaging.  We like using containers to hold arts and crafts supplies such as molding clay, stamps, crayons, etc. You can also use them to hold leftovers in the refrigerator.

But if you ask The Budget Ecoist, we like to put our leftovers in glass containers.  They’re healthier and your food can go from fridge to microwave in an instant (never put plastic in a microwave!).  A good option for reusable glass containers can be found at Crate and Barrel.  The containers are found in circular shapes and rectangles.  They’re fairly inexpensive, running from $4.95 for a single container, to $14.95 for a set. And they’re worth every penny!

Investing in a set of reusable glass containers with covers for serving and storing food in the refrigerator will save you money by cutting out plastic wrap and those packs of totally unnecessary disposable storage containers you can find in grocery stores.  You know the ones we’re talking about!

Image courtesy of Crate & Barrel