Archives for September 2010

Oh, those handy-dandy plastic baggies!  They may not be the greenest way to take your lunch to work or school, but if you know how to STREEEETCH their lives, you can detect a shade of green on them.

First, yes, I will rinse out a plastic baggie, and turn it inside out to dry in my sink’s dish drainer.  There.  I said it.  I started doing this regularly when my daughter started drinking cows milk.  When we’re on the go, and bring a sippy cup along, I quickly learned that the milk would leak in the sippy cup (that’s a whole other can of worms I wish not to go in to right now).  So, I would stick her cup in a plastic baggie, and then stick it in the insulated lunch bag with the ice block.  (Yes, I use the insulated lunch bag we got for free at the hospital when she was born.)  It seemed so silly to toss the bag straight in to the recycling bin, and you can’t reuse as is with milk in it (ACK!); thus, I began rinsing and reusing.

I have a designated drawer for plastic baggies. Boxes with new baggies are in the same drawer.  (There are times when a new bag is simply called for!)  I always keep the reused bags separated from the new, just to be safe.

For all the (zillion) times I have used a plastic baggie lately, I have scarcely had to go out and BUY them.  I think I’ve stretched a box for over a year, easily.

This is just one way I re-use my plastic baggies.  What are some ways that YOU stretch your dollar with them?

For the love of all that’s good and green, here are some crafty ways to re-purpose those frozen dinner trays, instead of tossing them straight in to the recycling bin.  (Heaven forbid they go in the regular trash!)  Just keep in mind they should NOT go through the microwave any more, and should be hand-washed or dishwasher top rack.  :o)

First, think of the different types of trays you see: some are just a plain tray, others have two or even three compartments.  And then there’s those “steamer” trays that have holes in them.

• They make great bowl/plate hybrids for toddlers learning to use eating utensils. 
• Use them with art projects: they can hold a good size of paint, glue, glitter, or whatever material(s) you’re using.  What about those “steamer” trays with holes in them?  Put some glitter and shake it over your preglued paper!
• Fill ’em up with baby shampoo and dip your bubble wand in for some bubblelicious fun!
• Sand, beach, or bath toys.  Yep, your kids will fill ’em with water and have fun…  (Especially those “steamer” trays that have holes in them!)
• “sensory table” toys – Okay, so this is probably more for a preschool teacher, but if you have a sensory (sometimes simply called a science table) where you put rice, beans, oatmeal, or any other “touchy” substance, these little containers would be great for sifting.  (Ditto, again for the “steamer” trays with holes.)
• drawer organizers.  Yes, drawer organizers!  Why pay big bucks for something when you can reuse something you already have!??

What are some additional ways YOU re-use your frozen dinner trays?