If not plastic, then what? For houshold storage.

[sabrosina]

Anyone have experience/ideas/links to products?

We've been making our home eco-friendly step by step as I learn about toxins and alternatives. Repeatedly I read about the off gassing with plastics but have yet to find a real/affordable alternative for storage on shelves to keep houshold goods sorted and organized.

I'm looking for all different sizes of boxes for things like houshold repair supplies/shoe maintence/'in case of power outage' supplies/computer gadgets and power cords/---insert your storage issues here---/little toy parts and sets/ gift wrap, tissue paper, ribbons/ etc.............. etc......... etc.........

So what do you use? All I find anywhere are the plastic storage containers of varying sizes.

Can you get / does anyone know of a place / site that sells or recycles wooden or bamboo boxes - boxes for functional uses - not decorative.

What else could I use that is made out of sustainable materials?

Thanks.

[MamaHippo]

For small things, i have found mason jars and glass spaghetti sauce jars to be useful. In the garage if you have nuts, bolts or crafty things, try gluing the lid of the mason jar to the underside of the cabinet or shelf or whatever, then just fill jar and screw it into the lid. That keeps everything up off your counters.
Just an idea! Hope it helps!
Lisa

[rowantree]

i use baskets on my shelves, tighly woven ones for smaller stuff.
shoe boxes are great to. I spray paint mine so they are all conformed.
good luck!!

[AngelBee]

Bumping.....also need ideas!

[sabrosina]

So I'm still thinking about this and was remembering having some old wine crates. Does anyone sell such a thing or does anyone have an idea how I can get my hands on some? Its something along that line that I'm looking for. It would be great if there were stackable crates of varying sizes that I could use to keep my things organized in my closets on the shelves.

Anyone else? Ideas?

Thanks so far.. its at least got me thinking.

[AngelBee]

Also curious about contqiners that would keep mice out to put in storage...

[rowantree]

just rembered using clementine containers (lil' oranges) for smaller reciepts

[KoalaMama]

Lurking to get some good ideas... And wondering what you all do regarding food storage?

[ekblad9]

And what about storing clothes that you are handing down from kid to kid?

[AngelBee]

Come on!!! Someone holds the anwers here!!!

Do share PLEASE!!!!!

[sabrosina]

Food storage I have all sorted out. That was last months project. Pyrex makes varying sized food storage containers that are their trademark durable glass with durable plastic lids. So yes there is the plastic over the top, but I decided it was much better than food sitting in plastic.

Going to find a link..............

[sabrosina]

Links to food storage..

http://www.cooking.com/products/shprodde.asp?SKU=214213

[sabrosina]

Another Link..

... with better pricing. and free shipping if you order 2 10 piece sets (or a total of 25 dollars worth)

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...445335-0483112

SO.......about that original question.... anyone? ANYONE?!? Or do I need to start a company and source this out myself?

Thanks everyone for your ideas so far.. and keep them coming!

[Ilovelife]

What about cardboard boxes?

[hubris]

For food storage: I recently found some containers at Crate & Barrel, including:

- square glass dishes with glass lids
- small rectangular glass dishes with plastic lids
- various sizes of round glass bowls with plastic lids

The lids on most of those are still plastic, but at least it's less plastic than storing in typical Rubbermaid/Tupperware type containers.

[LaurenS]

Mason jars work well for food storage. If you need bigger containers, try asking your local supermarkets, restaurants, etc if they have glass containers that they recycle. We've been getting gallon glass jars from our food co-op to store grains, beans, nuts, etc. If you need small jars, you can go around on recycle night to look through your neighbors recycle bins. Or you can just ask people to save you glass jars that they don't want. We buy everything in bulk at our food co-op so we don't have any jars left when stuff gets used up. My mother saves jars for us that she would otherwise recycle. Since glass breaks easily and since we are either on foot or on a bike, we do buy our food in bulk using plastic containers and then transfer to glass at home. For larger items, cardboard boxes work. Or again, you may find wooden boxes in the produce department of either supermarkets or food co-ops, etc. Another idea, is to join (or if there isn't one already start) freecycle. Go to freecycle.org for more details. You can list a wanted ad for glass, wooden, or other natural material containers. You would be suprised what people get rid of.

Lauren

[weebitty2]

Originally Posted by sabrosina

So I'm still thinking about this and was remembering having some old wine crates. Does anyone sell such a thing or does anyone have an idea how I can get my hands on some? Its something along that line that I'm looking for. It would be great if there were stackable crates of varying sizes that I could use to keep my things organized in my closets on the shelves.

Anyone else? Ideas?

Thanks so far.. its at least got me thinking.

they actually make metal/wire crates around the size of milk crates, that are stackable, and rust-proof. We have a couple we use as a "shelving unit" held together with wire ties for the kiddos book

[AngelBee]

Where can you get them? They are not coated in plastic?

[sabrosina]

DO tell.. where do you get the metal stackable crates? Thats the only idea here that will really suit my needs. Glass jars work for food storage, but for my purposes I really need something sizeable , completely closed in and stackable for shelf storage.

Again.. if there is a lurker out there that knows where to find such a thing.. please DO TELL.

Thanks again everyone.

[AngelBee]

This has been an issue for me since Sept. I really have been trying to eliminate as much plastic as I can, but am having trouble finding the right resources.

Also what do you put bathroom products in besides plastic?