Chloe Zhang
Plastic containers are essential for storing leftovers, bringing lunch to work or school, or organising your fridge and pantry. However, they can quickly become a source of clutter and frustration, with mismatched containers and lids taking up valuable space. To effectively store plastic containers, it is important to first declutter and organise them. Get rid of broken or discoloured containers, those without matching lids, and any that are not clear to avoid confusion about their contents. Keep only the number of containers you need for a week's worth of leftovers, in a variety of sizes. Sort the remaining containers and lids by size and type, and consider using storage solutions such as baskets, bins, or drawers with dividers to keep them organised and maximise space.
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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 can be challenging to store bowls or containers with lids in the same place, and this method can help you keep things neat and easily accessible.
Firstly, take everything out and assess what you have. Decide on a reasonable number of containers to keep for each size category: small, medium, and large. You may find you have an excessive number of one size, so consider repurposing or recycling these. For example, you could use them to contain small household items. Alternatively, you could invest in a new set of containers that nest easily and only keep the old ones that fit this system.
Once you have decided on the number and type of containers to keep, you can begin to organise them. One option is to store the small, medium, and large containers separately in larger plastic bins, with the matching lids. You can also stack the containers with their lids and store them in ready-made compartments. If you have a larger drawer, you can divide it in two, keeping the containers in one section and the lids in the other. Alternatively, you could use a large container inside the drawer to store the lids.
If you are storing your containers in a cabinet, you can use a magazine holder, placing it flat and using it to store the lids while acting as a shelf for the matching containers. You could also use a wall-mounted file holder for the lids, or a basket or pot lid organiser. If you want to keep the lids with the containers, you can stack them and use tension rods to create compartments in the drawer to keep them separated by size.
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Stack and nest containers
Stacking and nesting containers is a great way to save space and keep your plasticware collection organised. Nesting containers are a helpful way to keep everything in order. When choosing plasticware, opt for a few styles that nest easily and avoid odd-shaped containers that won't fit together.
For food storage containers, sort them by size—small, medium, and large. Then, decide on a reasonable number to keep for each size, selecting the best containers in each category. You can repurpose or recycle the remaining containers. Once you've chosen your containers, stack them and nest them inside larger plastic bins, along with their matching lids. You can also store the lids separately in a bin, keeping them sorted by size or container type and arranged on a shelf.
If you have a drawer, you can use it to store your containers and lids. Stack the containers and lids together in ready-made compartments, or use book bins to create separate sections for different-sized containers. You can also use tension rods to create compartments in a small drawer, placing them near the top to create different-sized sections.
For water bottles, stack them on top of each other to save space and keep them within reach. You can also use an undershelf basket to store the lids, placing the bottles underneath their corresponding lids.
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Store in drawers or cabinets
Keeping plastic containers in drawers or cabinets is a great way to save space and keep them organised. The first step is to declutter and decide which containers to keep. Get rid of any containers that are cracked, cloudy, scratched, or defective, as well as any you don't use. Then, sort the remaining containers by size—small, medium, and large.
If you're using a drawer, divide the depth of the drawer in two to separate the lids and containers, or use a large container inside the drawer to store lids. You can also use drawer dividers to create compartments for different-sized containers and their lids. If you're using a larger drawer, you can use two baskets to keep the tops and bottoms separate.
For cabinets, long, rectangular bins can be used to store containers and lids together, functioning like drawers. Shelf risers can also be used to keep stacks separate, and divided lid organisers make lids easier to spot. Magazine holders, file holders, and wire baskets can also be used in cabinets to keep lids and containers separate and organised.
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Use dividers and organisers
Dividers and organisers are a great way to keep your plastic containers in order. First, assess your plastic container collection and habits. How many containers do you have? How many do you need? If you eat a lot of leftovers, you may want to keep enough containers to store a week's worth of meals. You should also consider the size of your containers and whether they are easy to nest and stack.
Next, you can decide on the best way to divide and organise your containers. You could use a combination of large plastic bins, baskets, and shelves with different compartments to separate your containers by size. Stacking and nesting your containers will help to maximise space. Place larger containers at the bottom of shelves or drawers, with smaller containers stacked inside them. You can also use undershelf baskets to make the most of limited cabinet space.
To keep your containers organised, it's a good idea to store lids separately. Use a basket, a pot lid organiser, or a wall-mounted file holder to keep lids together and easily accessible. If you're storing lids in a drawer, place them vertically so they can air dry after washing. You can also use a three-tier shelf to sort and arrange lids by size or container type.
Finally, consider using labels to help keep your containers organised. This will ensure that lids don't go missing and that containers are returned to the correct place.
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Recycle or repurpose old containers
Plastic containers can be recycled or repurposed in numerous ways. If you're looking to recycle them, it's good to know that most plastic containers are hard to recycle. However, some retailers like Office Depot offer boxes made from 100% recycled plastic. You can also repurpose your old plastic containers for various functions around the house. Here are some ideas:
Repurpose Ideas
- Use plastic milk jugs to keep food and drinks cold in coolers. Fill them halfway with water and freeze them.
- Old ice cube trays can be used to store small items like thumbtacks, nails, screws, and buttons.
- Large plastic containers with handles, such as ice cream tubs, can be used as makeshift buckets for cleaning or storing small toys and kitchen gadgets.
- Plastic cassette tape cases can be repurposed to store gift cards, business cards, or loyalty cards.
- Clamshell-style plastic containers can be used as mini-hothouses for seedlings.
- Cleaned Parmesan cheese containers can be filled with powdered sugar, cornstarch, or homemade carpet refresher for easy distribution.
- Plastic spray bottles can be reused for various purposes, such as filling them with water to mist plants or storing cleaning solutions.
- Plastic containers with lids can be used to store small items like pins, buttons, or paper clips.
- Large plastic containers with lids can be used to create a worm bin for worm composting.
These are just a few ideas to get you started. With a bit of creativity, you can find numerous ways to repurpose your old plastic containers and give them a new lease of life!
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Frequently asked questions
Nest the containers and store them in larger plastic bins, with the lids separate in a labelled bin.
Use drawer dividers to separate the containers and lids. Store the lids vertically so they can air dry.
Assess what you have and get rid of broken, discoloured or lidless containers. Only keep what you need for a week's worth of leftovers.
Stack the bottles and keep them in a medium-sized compartment.
