How To Reuse Plastic Bakery Cake Containers

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From seed trays to canine hydration on the go, here are some ideas for what to practice with all of those plastic takeout containers.

Every fourth dimension I open my cupboard, I cringe at the teetering stacks of plastic takeout food containers. Somewhere forth the way, my dedication to the surround collided with my self-preservation. That somewhere was over dinner, and my hesitancy to consume inside a restaurant during a pandemic.

I know a lot of us have the same quandary. Most of those containers and lids are so sturdy that information technology feels overly wasteful to just toss them into the recycle bin. Of course, the best solution is to lodge to-get from restaurants that employ compostable containers. But until I get that organized for every meal, I'thousand relegated to finding other solutions.

Hither are a few ideas for how to repurpose those plastic takeout containers.

"And if you're feeling a little bit brave, do what we practice for eatery takeout: Bring your own reusable containers and enquire the restaurant staff to identify your prepared nutrient in your containers," says Stephanie Miller, founder of Zero Waste material in DC. "Don't forget to decline the plastic utensils!"

Start Your Spring Garden

To brand seed starting trays, drill or punch a few holes in the bottom for drainage before adding soil, seeds and water. Plastic containers can too be used as planters if they're sturdy enough for the weight. Merely avoid growing consumable plants in plastic over the long-term, because chemicals may eventually be absorbed into the plant.

Another plant thought: Utilize containers and lids as saucers nether pots.

Give a Karma Care Packet

Use takeout containers to deliver a meal to a neighbor or homeless person in demand. Or utilise them to transport leftovers home with your guests, then they don't need to return the container to you.

First, though, properly sterilized the containers. To do this, soak them in warm (not hot) soapy water for five to x minutes, clean them gently with a sponge or brush, then spray with isopropyl alcohol and let air dry. To prevent acidic foods from staining the containers, spray them lightly with non-stick cooking spray before calculation food.

Save a Gift Box

Instead of a souvenir box, put small-scale presents within takeout containers. For aesthetics, line the inside or exterior with fabric or wrapping paper. That saves money and ecological resources.

Buy Bulk Foods

If your store offers bulk bins of flour, granola, rice and other dry out goods, send them from the store in takeout containers. Have the cashier counterbalance containers before you fill them up and then they can decrease tare weights on checkout. Once you're home, transfer the contents to your drinking glass storage containers.

Takeout containers are also good for storing bulk grains and beans at habitation. They stack well in the cupboard, you can see what's in them, and you tin can write cooking instructions on the chapeau with a Sharpie.

Take Them on an Outing

Man sitting on a meadow eating mixed salad, partial view Westend61/Getty Images

I primarily use glass storage containers at abode. I don't similar them for the cooler, the auto or on a hike because they're heavy and breakable. Takeout containers are a perfect substitute. They're handy for carrying a few snacks or a whole picnic without relying on unmarried-utilise zip-peak baggies.

Prep Food Similar a Pro

A great way to consume healthy, even during busy weeks, is to peel and chop your vegetable ingredients ahead of fourth dimension and so they're set to go when you demand them. Shop the meal prepped vegetables in to-become containers in the refrigerator, just like restaurant prep cooks do.

Water the Dog

Put a takeout container in every vehicle. Then there's no need to interruption it to your panting, drooling friend that you lot forgot the water bowl once again.

Make an Art Wall

Whether for a classroom task or an at-habitation art project, paint the containers with paints formulated to adhere to plastic. Pick a theme like wild animals, native plants or a rainbow-filled sky. Then staple the painted containers to a wall or cork board. If you have an echo-y room, putting foam in takeout containers dampens dissonance.

Calorie-free Up the Neighborhood

Instead of using paper numberless for luminaries, wrap the outside of plastic containers with thin, translucent fabric or tissue paper. For rubber, get with LED batteries or solar-operated candles in the inside.

Make a Snowfall Fortress

To build the walls, fill containers with snow, put the lids on and stack them. Make sure to stagger the rows as you lot would a masonry wall, and pack snow in between as mortar for stability. Use a tarp or blanket for a roof to keep your torso heat from escaping. The snow will insulate the fort similar it does in an igloo.

Don't Forget the Obvious

Of course, those containers are dandy for storing hardware, craft materials, charger cords, costume jewelry, newspaper clips and all sorts of small items and parts.

Can Takeout Containers Be Recycled or Donated?

hand holding plastic take out container imran kadir/Getty Images

It depends.

"Unfortunately, the recycling of plastic to-go containers is non equally straightforward equally you would expect," says Mitch Ratcliffe, publisher of Earth911.

"Many of these containers practice not identify the plastic type. Merely plastic #1 and #2 are widely recycled. Most takeout containers are made from #5, and recycling of that has been very limited during the pandemic because it is considered an infection vector."

Check with your local recycler to see what forms of plastics they take. If your containers fit the bill, make clean off nutrient and greasy residuum before putting it in the bin. If your recycler doesn't take them, search Earth911 to detect the closest place that does.

What about donating them? Ratcliffe says the risk of sanitary issues and plastic degradation ways nearly places won't accept them.

"Reusing plastic to-get containers for nutrient storage is like to reusing h2o bottles," says Ratcliffe. "If you look at most bottled h2o packaging, it will normally include guidance non to reuse the bottle. That'southward because plastic breaks downwards and microplastics contaminate the food or beverage."

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