keep or toss: plastic containers and glass jars

**Sara Noel** · 06-09-2007, 09:53 PM

Do you keep containers such as margarine, whipped topping, baby food jars, pickle jars, and mayo jars?

How many and what do you use them for?

**DJ1972** · 06-09-2007, 10:11 PM

I don't keep food containters. I hate the clutter. But I don't buy baby food or margarine (dh says margarine is like eating plastic..so we only buy real butter). My mom always saved cool whip bowls and margarine bowls...that was our red neck tupperware LOL. But I don't like that I can't see what's in the containers, I have used them for leftovers brought home from my mom's, and we ended up not eating it because we forgot it was there....ended up looking like a science project gone bad.

**trishh** · 06-09-2007, 10:16 PM

I always keep. Plastic or jars and i reuse all the time.

**monkeywrangler71** · 06-09-2007, 10:43 PM

Keep. Glass jars I use for storing dried goods that I buy at the bulk barn (baking powder, onion soup mix, etc.). I actually need more. Small margarine containers I use for freezing chicken stock. I don't use them for reheating food because they are not microwave safe, but the chicken stock gets popped into a saucepan. They are the perfect size for the amount of stock needed for most of my recipes. The larger ones I use for buckets in the tub or sandbox or for cleaning, and then recycle them when they get cracked. The 4lb container is also the perfect size for homemade wipes.

I actually use a margarine container for a sugar bowl.

**sunshine** · 06-09-2007, 10:57 PM

The margarine containers and whipped topping containers are used to give food to my mom, kids, etc.

I use them to make little girl's purses, curler holders etc -- by punching holes in the top and crocheting into them.

I've painted them and used them for Easter baskets

Mayo jars -- gifts in a jar mixes. . . my own soup starter mix (made with odds and ends of dehydrated veggies). . . .I've been known to can fruits in them on occasion.

**Mom23boys** · 06-09-2007, 11:12 PM

I used to keep them, but then I would have more lids than containers. I purchased the space saver set and tossed out all my containers and have never been happier. I have more space and it is easier to find a container and a lid that goes together. So, I don't keep any containers or glass jars.

**Neeley** · 06-10-2007, 12:54 AM

I throw away all glass containers. I would recycle them but our city service requires that they be washed and labels removed and it is not worth my time.

Butter containers and Cool Whip containers(the big ones): I will use to put out fresh water and food for the stray cats while their real bowls are being washed. Once their real ones are clean, the plastic containers get trashed.

**momof42003** · 06-10-2007, 05:01 AM

I keep some of the plastic containers to store left overs, and with the bigger containers dried goods.. We save some of our jars to use as ice tea glasses.. We decided if Roadhouse Grill ("saloon and resturaunt"),can use them for their drinks, so could we.

**geckoace** · 06-10-2007, 08:49 AM

we dont really save to many we just recycle the ones we can. i dont really have that many uses for them as i store everything (no edible) in office sized platic coffee cans LOL

**DixieJ** · 06-10-2007, 09:14 AM

I save coolwhip, sour cream containers and such to send leftovers home with my daughter so she doesn't have to bother returning anything.

Dixie Jean

**baxjul** · 06-10-2007, 09:28 AM

I keep mostly glass, and try not to buy too many plastic containers!

**Domestic Gal** · 06-10-2007, 09:39 AM

I keep the big had plastic things for dry goods. I also keep peanut butter containers and put my homemade mixes in them. I keep a few yogurt and small marg. containers as a cupcake or muffin fits perfectly in them for the lunch box and they do not get smashed or soggy.
I keep a few cool whip or cottage cheese containers to use when I have something gross like chicken skin and put it in them and freeze them until garbage day. That way it does not stink up my trash and I do not get magets in my trash.

**Mamaw** · 06-10-2007, 10:05 AM

I tend to keep a few plastic bowls closer to the holidays to give away leftovers or for DH to take a lunch in. He can then toss the container and not worry about bringing it home. I keep a couple of mayo jars to give away soup and chile in. I had never thought about using them to store bulk food items in or to put homemade mixes in. Silly me!!!! Now I might just pull out the recipes and make up a batch of taco seasoning or bisquit started to have at the ready. Nothing like reading posts in FV to get inspiration and get motivated!

**Marie78** · 06-10-2007, 10:57 AM

I don't save any of my glass or plastic containers (I recylce them). I have a few that my mom gave me some leftover food in that I have saved "just in case" I need them. I have several ziplock and a few tupperware containers that I regularly store my leftovers in and freeze things in.

**ellebee** · 06-10-2007, 11:53 AM

No I don't but its because my mil has a whole cupboard full and she always is more than willing to give me some when I need them. I just took 4 glass jars to hold paint to keep for touch ups on our walls.