Recycling food containers

[WendyS]

Does anybody have any innovative ideas for re-using the plastic containers in which tomatoes, plums, etc are sold?    I hate throwing things away if they can be put to another good use.

[ineedahobby]

I cant think of anything decent to do with them, however I agree its hugely annoying that these things cant be recycled..I mean enough of them are produced, why cant they just melt them down and make new ones?  I usually overcome this problem by trying to buy loose fruit and veg to cut down on plastic wrapping.  Do you have an allotment?..maybe they could be used to protect seedlings from slugs or something?

[Grimalkin]

I too have failed to come up with a solution to this problem - you usually can't even store food in them as they have so many holes... I quite often use one to put fruit in to bring to work.  Perhaps save them up and return them to the supermarket demanding a reduction in excess packaging?

[WendyS]

Well, looks like I'll have to use them for growing lots of growing mustard and cress.      But for you outdoor tomato growers, I've found a good use for the square  5 litre mineral water bottles.  Cut off the bottoms, slide them over the top of the tomato cane to anchor them and use them as cloches to protect your young seedlings.  Using this method I find I can move them from my window ledges sooner, plant them out without worrying about frost and slugs and they actually produce flowers earlier. 

[flump1]

Hello WendyS     a playgroup might like the plastic containers to store things in , or for the children to make things from. I know a group and they welcome tubs from foods and all sorts for making things with.The kitchen roll holders are acceptable too !!! Ask around they might well take them off your hands    I like you hate throwing them away. It seems such a waste!!!

[funkychicken]

we use them to put bits and bobs in, like pens, screwdrivers, paintbrushes etc

[pamnez]

If they have a triangle underneath, they can be recycled.