reusing containers
i wish our area recycled more plastics
reusing items
keeping things out of the landfill
Reusing containers
@shaggin (72216)
United States
July 14, 2018 6:58pm CST
Here there is limited recycling. With plastic containers we can recycle only those with a 1 or 2 on the bottom in a triangle. Then they also must have a neck skinnier then the rest of the container.
So peanut butter jars, prescription medicine bottles, coffee canisters all go to the landfill. Rather then buy a bunch of containers I reuse many empty jars.
As you can see in the photo they can store all different kinds of things in them such as lotion when it’s towards the end of the container and won’t pump out anymore, broken eye shadow, dog treats, hair clips, flower pots etc.
Everything in the photo are hidden in closets and cupboards so no one sees them when they come to my home.
One major use I have for the reused containers is covering them in camouflage duck tape and making geocaches.
12 people like this
16 responses
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104628)
• United States
15 Jul 18
I try to re-use as many containers as I can. I will be making my own lotions and candles eventually and so I am saving the glass containers my yogurts come in.
I keep glass jars of pickles etc and use those to store soups in the fridge.
I have margarine containers for the same purpose.
I would like to revert to all glass if possible though.
2 people like this
@shaggin (72216)
• United States
22 Jul 18
We don't buy margarine but my parents always did when we were kids. They would reuse those containers to feed the dogs in also as throw up buckets in the car lol I got car sick all the time! Most containers here are plastic that yogurt comes in. We did buy Oui brand the one day on sale and my daughter has been painting the jar for a few weeks now. She needs a workshop as my kitchen table is never free of art clutter.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104628)
• United States
22 Jul 18
@shaggin We don't buy margarine anymore either. The margarine container we have came from my aunts after she sent cornbread in it once.
Maybe you could find a used table somewhere and an empty corner out of the way in the house. That way she has her own place to be creative and you have your kitchen table back.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104628)
• United States
15 Jul 18
@tallawah Nope, no kiddos. The wee 2nd cousins never come 'round either so no worries there.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94914)
• United States
15 Jul 18
I like to reuse my containers too. Mainly the ones I buy are of glass.
2 people like this
@shaggin (72216)
• United States
22 Jul 18
@infatuatedbby I very rarely have glass containers to recycle. Usually anything glass that I am going to throw out my daughter wants and paints them.
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94914)
• United States
22 Jul 18
@shaggin That is really cool she paints them. I tried painting and left it out to dry then it melted :P LOL!
1 person likes this
@Shellyann36 (11384)
• United States
18 Jul 18
Great way to reduce, reuse and recycle! I applaud your effort. Most people don't recycle these days.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (72216)
• United States
22 Jul 18
@Shellyann36 here it is only $1.25 a bag for recycleables to be picked up but $4 a bag for garbage to be picked up. So not only am I happy to save money I am helping the environment.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (72216)
• United States
22 Jul 18
@Shellyann36 when it is that much harder to recycle some people just will not make the effort. My parents pay a price per month for garbage pickup instead of the way I do per bag. However they will not sort their recyclables so it all goes to the landfill even though it would be simple for them to put it in a clear back and out it on the curb! It bugs me!
1 person likes this
@Shellyann36 (11384)
• United States
22 Jul 18
@shaggin In our area, the only waste company that will pick up trash does not offer to recycle. We have to take ours to the garbage station. There the area is broken down into recycling and we are responsible for it. I see so many people who just pile it all into garbage bags and put it in with the non-recyclables. It is sad.
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (67081)
• United States
23 Jul 18
only thing we recycle is our cans and bottles, for the money. as we buy so much soda. and my moms coworkers give us theirs too from drinking, which is a lot most the time.
we don't have anywhere to recycle jars and stuff.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (72216)
• United States
7 Aug 18
@Courtlynn until a few years ago there was no way for us to recycle either. I am glad to be able to recycle what I can. A bag of recyclables is only $1.25 to put on the curb where as a bag of garbage is $4. It's much better for my wallet and the environment when I recycle. I save up my water and soda bottles and cans and take them to redeem once a year or every other year when I get a van load full.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (72216)
• United States
10 Aug 18
@Courtlynn that’s awesome you dont have to pay for the garbage pick up! I assume it’s the landlords responsibility?
Nope I don’t drink soda at all and I only buy my kids a bottle once a month or so. I just drink the free well water all the time. My son drinks Sunny D and my daughter drinks Lemonade.
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (67081)
• United States
9 Aug 18
@shaggin must not drink a lot of soda there? we have car full every 3 weeks. lol.
we don't pay for our garbage to be picked up, thankfully.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (117105)
• Anniston, Alabama
15 Jul 18
Hey where you been I missed you.
I reuse those plastic jars too.
2 people like this
@shaggin (72216)
• United States
22 Jul 18
@andriaperry I've been busy being active outside while I can. I post often on Instagram but don't seem to get much time to sit and come here to mylot on my tablet. I love your new profile picture that's some gorgeous hair you have! I am supposed to have company tonight so I am sitting around waiting after cleaning like crazy the past two days. I'm thinking she isn't going to make it but at least my house will have gotten a very overdue thorough cleaning!
@shaggin (72216)
• United States
22 Jul 18
@Kandae11 when I save food from our meals for the next day I have containers I buy to store them. Anything other then food I keep in the cleaned out peanut butter jars etc like you! It saves money and keeps them from going to the landfill so it works out great!
@snowy22315 (181807)
• United States
16 Jul 18
Good for you. I try to re use plastic bags and jars. I recycle quite a few things.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (72216)
• United States
22 Jul 18
@snowy22315 I recycle as much as I can but unfortunately there is still so much I send to the landfill because our local recycling facility doesn't accept as much as I would like.
@Tina30219 (82053)
• Onaway, Michigan
15 Jul 18
My boyfriend reuses containers as well he puts screws and nuts and bolts in them and other things for out in the garage
1 person likes this
@shaggin (72216)
• United States
15 Jul 18
@Tina30219 I do that as well. The jars that aren't recyclable I use as well to out broken glass in etc for in the garbage. If not it will rip through the garbage bags.
Thank you for agreeing.
@shaggin (72216)
• United States
15 Jul 18
@LadyDuck We can recycle glass jars here and I am thankful for that although most things are made of plastic I buy hardly any glass unfortunately. My daughter likes to paint glass containers and reuse them. She is working on an amazing solar system kind of one right now.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (72216)
• United States
15 Jul 18
@Icydoll the aluminum coffee cans I recycle but I did keep one to reuse to make a wind chime. The bags unfortunately cannot be recycled which is usually the ones I buy. The big plastic containers I use for plant pots but they look hideous. They are temporary until I get nicer pots I like. I can paint them as well but haven't yet because I couldn't decide what color to do them lol.
1 person likes this
@Jessabuma (31700)
• Baguio, Philippines
15 Jul 18
I reuse empty containers and jars , especially those plastic containers. It's a good idea.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (72216)
• United States
22 Jul 18
@Jessabuma they can be used for just about anything so it's great that you reuse them as well!
1 person likes this
@Jessabuma (31700)
• Baguio, Philippines
22 Jul 18
@shaggin yes . I agree with you on that
1 person likes this
@brokekid0212 (1187)
• Philippines
15 Jul 18
At home, we really re use the containers especially the ice cream containers.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (72216)
• United States
22 Jul 18
@brokekid0212 that's great then! Certain plastics leach toxins into food if the plastic is heated up from being washed so anything that is plastic I only use to hold things in that we will not be eating.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (72216)
• United States
15 Jul 18
@brokekid0212 the containers of ice cream we buy are a type of cardboard carton and aren't recyclable or reusable. I burn them rather then send them to the landfill. That's awesome you reuse yours! What are they made of plastic?
1 person likes this
@brokekid0212 (1187)
• Philippines
15 Jul 18
@shaggin yes! They are made of plastics so we can always re use them!
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160863)
• United States
15 Jul 18
We do not have those limits on plastics here. We used to. They do like the lids removed from the containers. I am saving certain sizes to turn them into things like game markers. I would love to have PB or mayo lids in sufficient quantities to make a giant checker set. I have wanted to craft some small game sets to send in Christmas Child shoebox gifts. Really large medicine bottles can be made into sewing kits or fishing kits for the same charity.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (72216)
• United States
22 Jul 18
@GardenGerty that is awesome that where you live they can recycle all kinds of plastics. In our small town recycling anything wasn't even an option until a few years ago. I love the idea you have about giant game pieces. We go through a lot of peanut butter here so we always have empty containers on hand.
