Ethan Clarke
Plastic containers are essential for storing leftovers, but they can quickly take over your kitchen cabinets and drawers. The first step to organising your plastic containers is to declutter. Get rid of any containers that are cracked, cloudy, scratched, or don't have matching lids. Then, decide how many containers you need based on your habits and how often you cook. You can repurpose old containers or recycle them. Next, sort the containers by size and stack them accordingly. Use drawer dividers or baskets to separate the containers from their lids and make them easier to find. You can also use labels to ensure everything stays in its place.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of containers | Only keep the number of containers required to store one week's worth of leftovers |
| Container type | Choose one or two styles that nest easily |
| Container condition | Get rid of broken, miscolored, or containers without matching lids |
| Container arrangement | Sort containers by size, stack them, and store them with their lids |
| Storage space | Use a drawer, cabinet, or shelf with dividers or compartments to separate containers and lids |
| Container visibility | Use transparent containers to easily identify the contents |
| Container labels | Use labels to identify the contents and corresponding lids |
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What You'll Learn
Sort by size and type
Sorting your plastic containers by size and type is a great way to organise your storage space. It's an effective method to keep your containers sorted and prevent stacks of lids from sliding around. Here are some steps you can follow to achieve this:
Firstly, take everything out and assess what you have. Decide how many containers you need by considering your habits. For example, if you prepare meals for the week and store them in the fridge, you'll need more containers than someone who eats out every day.
Next, sort your containers by size. Categorise them into small, medium, and large sizes. This will help you identify if you have too many of one size. Decide on a reasonable number for each size and choose the best containers to keep. You can recycle or repurpose the rest.
Now, it's time to arrange your containers. Stacking similar-sized containers together will save space and make them easy to access. You can use a combination of shelves, drawers, and baskets to sort your containers. Place the large containers in a dedicated space, such as a shelf or a large drawer. Stack the medium-sized containers on top of or next to the large ones, and keep the small containers in a separate area, such as a basket or a small drawer.
To organise the lids, you can sort them by size or type and place them on a shelf or in a basket. Magazine holders or file holders can be useful for lid storage, and you can also use labels to ensure everything stays organised.
By following these steps, you'll have a well-organised collection of plastic containers, making it easier to find what you need and maximising your storage space.
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Stacking and nesting
Next, decide where you will store your containers. A kitchen drawer is a great option as it gives you a clear view and quick access to your containers. If you're using a drawer, you can stack your containers and nest the lids separately in a basket or bin. You could also use a pegboard or drawer dividers to store the lids vertically, allowing them to air dry after washing. If you don't have a drawer, you can use a cabinet or shelf to store your containers. Cabinets can be tricky because items tend to get lost at the back, so consider using pull-out drawers or lightweight acrylic trays to make retrieval easier.
If you're using a shelf, stack your containers and nest the lids in a basket or bin on the same shelf. You could also use a wall-mounted file holder or magazine holder to store the lids, which will guarantee they're always within reach. Label your baskets or bins by size, type, or colour to make it easy to find what you're looking for. If you're storing your containers in a large cupboard, you can use shelf inserts to stack glass containers on top, with plastic containers and lids stored in tubs below.
Nesting is key to keeping your containers organised and maximising space. Choose containers that nest easily and get rid of any odd-shaped ones that won't stack. You can also repurpose large containers to store smaller containers, keeping them organised and tidy.
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Use dividers
Dividers are a great way to arrange plastic containers, especially when storing small items that can be easily misplaced. Dividers help to separate similar items into individual compartments, making them easier to retrieve. For example, you could use a plastic container with dividers to store screws, with different sizes in each compartment. This way, employees only need to identify the right size to fulfil an order, reducing the time needed to complete it. Dividers can also be used in drawers to prevent containers from sliding around and getting disorganized or chipped.
There are several ways to use dividers to arrange plastic containers. One method is to use colour-coded containers with dividers. For instance, using blue containers for bolts and red containers for bottle caps can reduce the time it takes to locate items. You can then further separate the bolts and bottle caps by size and type within the coloured containers. This system makes it easier for employees to identify and locate items in a warehouse.
Another way to use dividers is to create sections within drawers or cabinets. For example, you can use tension rods or adjustable drawer dividers to divide a drawer into compartments for containers, lids, and water bottles. You can also use book bins, magazine holders, or file sorters to create sections within drawers or cabinets. These dividers help to keep containers and lids organized and prevent them from sliding around.
Additionally, you can use dividers to separate containers and lids. For instance, you can use a wooden panel or a pegboard to create a divider between the containers and lids, allowing you to stack same-sized and shaped containers for easy access. You can also use a plate rack or an old CD rack to divide and organize lids by size or shape, making it easier to find the one you need.
Finally, dividers can be used on shelves to maximize space. Shelf inserts, for example, can help divide taller pantry shelves, allowing you to fit more items without stacking them. This is especially useful for small kitchens, where cabinet space is limited. Dividers can also be used to create separate sections on shelves, allowing you to stack containers and lids together in ready-made compartments.
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Store lids separately
Keeping plastic containers and their lids in the same place can be challenging, so it's a good idea to store the lids separately. First, sort the lids by size or container type. You can then arrange them on a three-tier shelf, in a basket underneath the shelf where the containers are stored, or in a small compartment within the drawer where the containers are kept.
Using a magazine holder is another great way to store lids separately. Simply place the magazine holder inside your cabinet and flip it on its side. This will allow you to stack the lids and keep them from toppling over or taking up too much space. You can also use a wall-mounted file holder, which can be hung inside a cabinet door, to store miscellaneous lids that are typically hard to find.
If you're storing the lids in a drawer, you can use tension rods to create compartments, with one compartment dedicated to lids. To prevent stacks of lids from sliding around in a drawer, you can use decorative box shelves of various sizes to create instant compartments.
To make it easier to find the right lid, you can print labels and stick them onto the shelves or compartments where the lids are stored.
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Recycle or repurpose
Plastic containers can be recycled, but they can also be creatively repurposed. Here are some ideas for repurposing your plastic containers:
The humble plastic milk jug has almost unlimited reuse potential. One clever option is to use it to keep drinks and food cold inside a cooler. Simply fill an empty, clean milk jug halfway with water and put it in the freezer. You can also use plastic containers for storing and transporting baked goods like bagels and donuts. A plastic bathroom makeup caddy can be used to store pens, pencils, and highlighters, while smaller lipstick containers can be used for paperclips, staples, and other desktop essentials.
Large plastic containers with handles, such as ice cream tubs, can be used as makeshift buckets and bins. Fill one with warm, soapy water and use it while cleaning, or use the lids to store small items like toys or kitchen gadgets. Old plastic tape cassette cases can also be repurposed to store gift cards. Plastic food containers with shaker lids, such as Parmesan cheese containers, can be cleaned and refilled with powdered sugar, cornstarch, or homemade carpet freshener.
For a more ambitious project, you can acquire old crates and use them to create bookcases with the help of a drill, L-shaped brackets, and screws. Magazine holders can also be used to store lids and act as a shelf for matching food storage containers.
If you do decide to recycle your plastic containers, it is ideal to clean them beforehand. However, it is not necessary, as they will eventually be shredded, washed, melted, or processed in a way that removes any food residue. To clean them, fill them with lukewarm water and soap and leave them in the sun for a few hours. Avoid using hot water, as it may melt the plastic.
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Frequently asked questions
First, take out all your plastic containers and get rid of any that are broken, discoloured, or lacking a matching lid. Then, identify your habits and needs. For example, if you bring packed lunches to work, you'll benefit from having light plastic containers in different sizes.
Nesting is key. Choose one or two styles of containers that nest easily. Stack same-sized and shaped containers for easy access. You can also repurpose a large container to store small containers.
You can use a compact pull-out storage unit for smaller containers and their matching lids. Stacking 'like with like' will maximise space. For larger containers, you can stack them on top of the drawer unit.
Separate the lids from the containers to create more space for stacking and storing. You can store lids in a basket or use a pot lid organiser. If you store your plastic containers in a drawer, consider inserting a simple wooden panel to act as a divider between the containers and lids.
