The Last Thing You Should Do with an Empty Berry Container

Shifrah Combiths
Shifrah Combiths
With five children, Shifrah is learning a thing or two about how to keep a fairly organized and pretty clean house with a grateful heart in a way that leaves plenty of time for the people who matter most. Shifrah grew up in San Francisco, but has come to appreciate smaller town life in Tallahassee, Florida, which she now calls home. She's been writing professionally for twenty years and she loves lifestyle photography, memory keeping, gardening, reading, and going to the beach with her husband and children.
published Jul 15, 2021
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Strawberries in plastic clamshell container.
Credit: Sarah Crowley

I like to get rid of clutter as much as possible — and as soon as possible. Junk mail goes straight into recycling, cardboard boxes get broken down and recycled right away, and clothes that no longer bring joy are stashed in the donation bag I keep in my closet.

But sometimes my overzealousness to keep clutter out of the house means I miss opportunities for upcycling and resourcefulness. In truth, empty containers can actually still be useful, and don’t aways have to be sent to the recycling bin right away. Take plastic berry containers, for example. They can be used for far more than just storing and carrying your season’s strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries. They’re lightweight, clear boxes with flip-top lids. Plus, they’re versatile, fairly durable, and ready to go!

Related: We Tried 7 Methods for Storing Berries and the Winner Outlasted Them All

Credit: Sarah Crowley

Save Empty Berry Containers for Bonus Storage

Take a tip from me: The last thing you should do with plastic berry containers, once they’re not cradling your berries, is wash and air-dry them! Then, stash the containers where you store all of your other food containers. Once you get a collection going, you’ll find that the options for these bonus storage containers are endless — but here are seven easy ideas to get you started now.

  • Store markers, crayons, and colored pencils.
  • Store other craft supplies, such as pom-poms or sticker sheets.
  • Organize random cords and cables.
  • Protect items, such as sandwiches, that can get squished in a cooler.
  • Store bathroom supplies, such as cotton balls or cotton swabs, so you can stack them neatly in bathroom cabinets.
  • Bring your U-pick berries home from the farm. 
  • Store washed berries from your own garden (just don’t wash them too far in advance because they’ll spoil faster).

Do you save your berry containers? How do you repurpose them? Share your ideas in the comments below.

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