Alternatives to plastic storage bins

[oliviab]

I am so motivated to organize and simplify now that we have a functioning storage shed at our home

But I noticed that I do not want to keep things in cardboard boxes...and as much as I hate plastic, those darn giant plastic bins are so easy to use a convenient!

Does anyone have any other suggestions for storing things like winter clothes, holiday decorations, etc....that is not plastic??

[rere]

What about big canvas duffle bags for the clothes?

[justmeandmybrood]

Unfortunately, I have not been able to find any other options other than the plastic bins either I find that they do not fit as much due to sizing as my old cardboard boxes. However, they do keep out any bugs and are uniform which are a plus. I will be interested to see any other suggestions along with you

[dachshundqueen]

What about large wooden crates? I've seen fruit come in them sometimes (not pallets).

Liz

[blessedwithboys]

i would store the clothes in space bags

[oliviab]

Hmm....Canvas bags might work for the clothes, and crates for things that I dont mind being exposed.

Well maybe if I do a combination, and just use the plastic sparingly Hey at least we are all trying!

[SubliminalDarkness]

I have less issue with plastic that has a long life span. I'm assuming you don't plan on trashing the plastic containers.... that you will continue to use and reuse them, and if you reach a point where they no longer serve a purpose to you, you would pass them along? I'm mostly ok with using plastic in those ways.

[phillychiquita]

Plastic bins are
1) reusable for a lifetime
2) Keep out water
3) keep out bugs
4) Easy to label and stack
5) Easy to freecycle because people always want and can use them

So even though we dont love plastic, I do see them as a good long term investment because they really protect our stuff from damage (have had two floods in our basement and only stuff that survived was the stuff in plastic bins). We've had ours for over ten years and they get constantly reused, have been through 3 moves and have been essential for making sure our stuff stays clean, dry, bug free in a very damp basement.

The other thing we have that works well is an old cedar lined trunk/chest from my grandmother. We have our linens in it, and it keeps moths and bugs out, but it wont do anything it the chest gets wet, and while you might be able to get one on craig's list, they are very expensive if you buy them new.

[oliviab]

Originally Posted by phillychiquita

Plastic bins are
1) reusable for a lifetime
2) Keep out water
3) keep out bugs
4) Easy to label and stack
5) Easy to freecycle because people always want and can use them

Originally Posted by SubliminalDarkness

I have less issue with plastic that has a long life span. I'm assuming you don't plan on trashing the plastic containers.... that you will continue to use and reuse them, and if you reach a point where they no longer serve a purpose to you, you would pass them along? I'm mostly ok with using plastic in those ways.

Good points ladies....and yes they will be reused and reused....I have tried to find them used even, but most people must have the same values because it is almost impossible!!

[mamadelbosque]

Yeah, we have plastic bins too. They are just *so* useful and if they ever do break/crack they are recyclable. I store clothes, books, toys, electronics, college textbooks, all sorts of stuff in them. And theres just no real, good alternative, IMO.

[Chamomile Girl]

We have rats in our storage shed, so I can't see using anything but plastic. Wood and canvas are too, er... permeable.

Hopefully you don't have this issue though. I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

[Dingletwitz]

I had the same conundrum! We are now down to only three plastic storage tubs from many, many of them. Here's what I did: got rid of everything in them, and set them out in the giveaway spot where we live. Really. I figured if it didn't fit somewhere in the house, it wasn't welcome anymore. The extra seasonal clothes fit in the closet now since it's been seriously pared down, the old memoirs finally found a resting place, the holiday decorations are down to one small cardboard box. Our storage room now has a sled, a snow shovel, a broken piece of wall art, and the toys that are out of rotation (in the bins). And life feels a bit free right now.

[accountclosed3]

if you want to go hard core old school, you'll want cedar chests that have been sealed (usually oil sealed like a wine barrel).

you'll want to wrap the clothing in canvas with lavender, rosemary, or other aromatics that keep insects away, and then put them into the cedar chests, and then you can pile them up.

if you know a woodworker, you could probably have them made to size.

but that's the old school way to store, and keep bugs/water/etc out.

[accountclosed3]

or, store them in your suitcases.