Containers on the Cheap!

For those who want to save money and the environment too, here is my list of practical containers that you can repurpose or recycle while you are getting organized...

• Shoeboxes
• Checkbook boxes
• Velveeta boxes
• Mini-quiche plastic trays
• Egg cartons
• Muffin tins
• Baby wipe containers
• Gladware or Ziploc brands of disposable plasticware
• Paper boxes from office supply store
• Baskets from gift baskets
• Salad greens containers (click photo to enlarge)
• Gourmet rice containers (like Texmati rice)
• Glass milk bottles (from Cathy in our comments)
• Canning jars and cardboard packing trays from Elfa brackets (from Allison Carter in our comments)
• Chocolate candy boxes with plastic tray inserts for earrings/jewelry (from Julia in our comments)
• Warehouse store packaging for snack crackers/cookies (from BuggabooBren in our comments- Hi Bren!)
• Notecard and stationery boxes, and clear, heavy, food-grade plastic containers with hinged or fitted lids (from Marie in our comments)
• Coffee mugs; and tissue boxes for holding and dispensing plastic grocery bags (from Sharon Lowenheim in our comments)
• Business card boxes (from Kim Oser in our comments)
• Prescription medication bottles for small items like cotton swabs (from Corkee in our comments)

There are many others out there. Here's basically what to look for in a recycled/repurposed container:

• Something that is nondescript so that you can use it without always thinking about what it was before. Hopefully you can remove the labels and other markings so that it fits nicely in with its new purpose and doesn't always remind you of queso dip or whatever it used to be.
• Square/rectangle shaped containers as opposed to round ones. Notice I do not have margarine tubs or Cool Whip containers on the list above. Round containers do not use the space as efficiently when stacked next to each other.
• Clear instead of opaque containers. Of course if you want to hide or cover what is inside, or do something decorative that is a different story. In general, clear is usually better for containers.
• Something sturdy, not flimsy. Make sure it will stand up to normal use.
• Something easy to care for and clean. Make sure it doesn't have lots of grooves and crevices if you will need to wash it frequently.

I hesitate somewhat as I publish this list, because what I have seen in practice is that people hoard these containers once they realize they are useful. Enforce a limit on the number of containers you keep and recycle/discard additional ones. You don't need to keep them all.

Another caveat-- if you would feel tremendously better by purchasing the "right" organizing container to use in a frequently accessed space, I highly recommend getting the right item instead of "making do" and always feeling crummy about it. If you like your organizing systems you are more likely to maintain them because you feel proud of what you created.

What are your favorite repurposed organizing containers? I will add to the list above and republish (with credit) based on what is given in the comments!

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Comments

[Cathy]

I got some fancy organic milk at the farmers market a few years ago that came in a real glass bottle. I use it to keep water cold in the fridge. If I wasn't already using it for that I would use for other liquids, salad dressings, flower vase, even M&Ms!

[allison carter]

I'm using some old canning jars to hold my pen collection (sharpies, pens, pencils, scissors) on a shelf above my desk. I love that I can see into the jar. It keeps me from dropping in little things like change and paper clips.

I also have used the cardboard tray that is used to hold brackets in the store for elfa or closetmaid shelving - they are long, skinny, short bins that work well as drawer organizers. But yes, you can only have so many then bye bye!

[Dane]

It's good to be reminded about "re-purposing," (our landfills sigh in relief!), and also good to be reminded to set limits: whenever I place a glass jar into the recycle bin, I feel SO tempted to keep it. But if I start hoarding them for some imagined future use ("one day soon, I'll organize all of the screws, nuts, and bolts in the garage into separate see-through containers!") before I know it, I would have an entire box of glass jars cluttering my garage! I'm learning that minimalism requires everyday-vigilance!

~Dane
http://www.BionicButler.com

[Julia]

For storing my earrings I save rectangular candy/chocolate boxes that have plastic inserts dividing them into little compartments. I wash the inserts, reinstall them, nestle the box in its lid (in case I need to put it on at some point for transport). These slip into my little jewelery drawer and all my earrings are paired up in their own little compartment and easy to see.

[BuggabooBren]

For CD storage that is organized, I buy CD file folders, label the tabs with the title and then file them in the box that originally held 45 individually-wrapped packages of snack crackers or cookies at the warehouse stores.

CD File Folders: http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/947050/Office-Depot-Brand-2-Sided-CD/

Box:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/B001VE0SF6/ref=dp_image_0?ie=UTF8&n=16310101&s=grocery

[Carole]

I love the candy box idea! I always hate parting with some of the pretty boxes, and now I have a good for one or two. Why didn't I think of that?

[Marie]

I have used old shoe boxes to organize photos and maps (although cardboard is not great for preserving heirlooms because the wood ligaments in the paper "outgass" acids), and notecard and stationary boxes to hold greeting cards and stickers.

I reuse a lot of wide-mouthed glass jars to hold things like dried beans and smaller jam jars for herbs or seeds. I have a weakness for well-designed glass jars and have to force myself to get rid of some of them!

I am especially fond of reusing heavy, food-grade, clear plastic containers, usually with hinged or fitted lids. They used to package Italian cheeses or individually wrapped chocolate truffles or ?? and now they contain my collection of post-its, favorite shells, cotton balls or whatever. I really like that the contents are easily seen yet protected from dust and chaos. Often, the containers are well-designed, too, so they have an elegant simplicity.

[Sharon Lowenheim, Organizing Goddess]

Great ideas! I use a checkbook box to contain my makeup in my bathroom cabinet, with a coffee mug next to it for the brushes, pencils, and liners. Checkbook boxes are also good for pill bottles in a kitchen cabinet so that you can pull them all out together every morning. To hold grocery store plastic bags: use a tissue box!

[Kim Oser, Certified Professional Organizer®]

Just the other day, I had a client who was insistent upon keeping business cards he received after entering them into Outlook. I suggested he store the cards in an empty box from his business cards. At the end of the year, label and store the box. If he has had no reason to go into that box, after one year, he pitches the box. Takes up almost no space. Business card boxes are sturdy & compact for use with a lot of things, pocket change, Q-tips, paper/binder clips, nail polish bottles, etc.

[Corkee]

Prescription medication bottles (yes, they are round but they line up and fit nicely in the bathroom cabinets or other areas - and I can remove original labels and re-label). I have one larger one filled with bandaids, antibiotic ointment, and a trial size antibacterial hand cleaner. I threw a couple of cotton balls and q-tips in to. Makes a small grab it quick first aid package to take along to the park with the kids. Also, one common RX bottle size is "perfect" to store q-tips in for traveling. And an my latest "Ah-Ha" use? My new puppy loves to get to my lip balm which I use almost constantly. I put it in an empty RX bottle and can leave it on the end table without worrying if the puppy grabs it. Now he would have to get through the outside container before ruining another lip balm (he can destroy the lip balm is five seconds flat! With the RX bottle around it, I always catch him before he gets to the lip balm).

[Nellie]

I use the shoe storage container by Home Essentials for my dress shoes,but also enclose them in big plastic bags (2 gallon size) to prevent dust collection.

[Rachel Hicks]

If you have lots of baby-food jars, the lids can be nailed or screwed to the underside of a shelf in the garage. Fill each jar with a particular item and screw the jar to its lid that is attached to the shelf. Smaller jars in front of larger jars give you double space, because the contents are always on the bottom of the jar and more visible in this upside-down fashion. No more knocking things over when you reach to the back either.

[Beth Ann]

I save the recloseable chicken nuggets bags and crouton bags-sew fabric around the edges- then sell them as dirty duds bags. They don't leak and they look pretty and close perfectly!!!

[Maria White]

I love the plastic take out containers that our local Asian restaurants are using now. They have clear lids and they stack well.

[Lisa White]

The plastic containers that Gerber puts its baby food in are really good for storage and Similac (baby formula) has really nice plastic containers and you can get the larger size at the warehouse stores. Those are great for craft supplies and etc. The baby formula container also has a scoop that fits up on the lid and it could be a great place to store coffee. You can take off all the labels rather easily.

[T. Jewel Pinkston]

Film containers: use for pills, antacids, sugar tablets (my husband is diabetic), small buttons -- mine are round, but I think there are square ones

[Betty]

I use plastic milk bottles with the handle (which are easier to carry)for powdered mixed type fruit drinks.

[aychbee]

Large tomato juice cans nailed to a closet wall are good for storing rolled up tee shirts in

[Genny Esterline]

My daughter has taken a cross stitch canvas (that you can purchase at any craft store) and has hung it on a chain with a couple of silver clips on the outside of her glass closet door. She then hooks in all her ear rings onto the canvas. Looks fun and the earrings are not only accessible but paired up nicely.

Love your advice about making sure to use something you are happy with when storing.

Genny Esterline
www.connectionsforwomen.com

Genny

[Krystine]

I have reused Kleenex boxes for years. They are pretty and can hold receipts, paid bills, etc.

[Linda]

I use the organic plastic baby food containers for anything! They are rectangular shaped with lids and are easy to stack and wash. You can use them for snacks on the go, or to hold baby barrettes. I collect about 10 of them at a time and throw away the rest.

[Susan]

I've started saving the Wholly Salsa plastic, see-through containers. I use them in my utility drawer, and have I have one container for each type of item, such as nails, tacks, screws, etc. I can stack two at a time. I love them because they're the perfect size for my drawers and for the amount of items I put in each.

[Janet]

The yellow, plastic containers from Nestles flavored milk powders. Great shape, nice-fitting lids. Just too nice not to re-purpose. Only problem is I am not sure for what....but this is why I have an organization problem to begin with! I have been saving them, but would love some suggestions as how to use them.

[Lindalee]

I buy the 5# container for Twizzlers licorice. They are clear with a red lid. I store christmas decorations for a specific area in my house. They also stack very nicely.

[Amy]

Clear plastic peanut butter jars can be used to store lots of different things.