I try hard to not purchase things that come in plastic packaging but sometimes temptation wins, especially to buying pre-washed baby spinach or fresh plump blueberries (only in season!). Unfortunately, these clamshells are not recyclable in central OH curbside recycling. Thus, I keep a bag full of these in my mudroom and periodically search the internet for recycling options. My other solution is to wrack my brain on finding good uses for these plastic containers. One innovative thing I am doing is shipping baked goods. The clamshells are perfect for nestling brownies or cookies. I take some parchment paper, line the container, add the cookies, stick it in a box, and it is good to go! Or, I use the containers to store leftover food. Avocados work well stored in the smaller clamshells because there is nothing to leak out of the container. For food storage, I have used yogurt containers, Hershey’s cocoa containers, etc. These containers are not bottle shaped so they are also not included in curbside recycling in Central OH. They are #5 plastics which used to be accepted at Whole Foods and then shipped to Preserve Products through the Gimme5 program and remade into reusable household items. However, that program has been suspended. I am not sure if it is temporary due to Covid or not and will look into it. Another plastic item I have in abundance is the small cylindrical shaped “Nuun” tablet container. I have a paper bag full of these in my cupboard. They can be used as snack containers, albeit a small amount, like a handful. I tried M&Ms. Yum. I need to think more about ways to use them for liquids such as dish soap or cooking oil to use while camping. I did once put hand sanitizer inside one when I was flying, but it leaked. Thankfully I had the container in a plastic bag, but it was still just a mess. I am working on being more creative with these cylinders – one fun thing I did a few weeks ago was to take 3 of them and stack them together using a hot glue gun to make a “post” to use for drying out plastic bags that I wash for reuse. This was fun. I am thinking about decorating it with yarn or marker.
This fall, I aim to conjure up a sculpture of some sort to put behind my garage. My neighbor created a beautiful mural using tile scraps and it inspired me to do something interesting in my yard. I am hoping my daughter will help me make a piece of art with some of the plastic I have sitting in bags in my mudroom.
I would love to hear your ideas for reusing plastic items around the house. Please let us know on Facebook @Green Bexley or visit our website: www.greenbexley.org.