Save Plastic Containers

Benefits

Environmental Benefit: ★★★☆☆
Saves landfill space, as well as the energy for making plastic containers you didn't buy.

Money Saved: ★★☆☆☆
Why buy tupperware cups, plastic storage tubs, etc. when you're always getting them for free?

Lifestyle Benefit: ★☆☆☆☆
Not having matched cups at the dinner table isn't a lifestyle benefit I suppose, although our kids have their favorite "cups" that are more interesting than "plain blue" I suppose.

What We're Doing
Any time we get a reasonably sturdy plastic cup or bowl, it gets washed and saved in a lower kitchen cupboard. Since everything's plastic down there, it makes a great play area for toddlers (see photo). Also, we've always got containers (old butter tubs, etc.) in the right sizes for saving leftovers in the fridge. And the cup-sized containers get used for . . . cups! And if they get used up, you can still recycle them! Yes, we do have a few actually purchased plastic cups and storage bowls - but they were mostly purchased many years ago before Shannon started this "collection". Biggest problem for me is trying to figure out which lid goes with which container . . .

A Little Humor
Q. Why do builders have see-through Tupperware lunchboxes?
A. So they know if they are going to work or going home.