Intent to Repurpose

 If you're like me, you grew up in a house with a kitchen cabinet that contained a mishmash of lidded plastic containers ranging from recycled margarine tubs to higher end Tupperware. And I'd be willing to bet that there's a similar cabinet or drawer in your kitchen right now.

Don't panic -- I'm not going to tell you to get rid of your stash! I wouldn't even suggest such a thing. I might suggest that, if your cabinet is like mine, it could benefit from a once over to make sure all the bottoms have matching tops. But, that aside, this cabinet and all its riches are at the heart of this post.

Our grandmothers (and maybe even our mothers) reused containers to save money and reduce waste, an idea that has enjoyed a resurgence as the cost of plastic beyond its price tag becomes increasingly undeniable. Over time, the contents of these cabinets began to lean toward the higher end. As plastic became a way of life, all manner of containers for specific purposes emerged. 

Those of us with an I need to see it personal style (and therefore a love of color coding) are likely to be easier marks for the cool new updates than those with other organizational styles. Our cram and jam compatriots are usually content with any container as long as it's large enough to fit a bunch of stuff in it, and those with I know I put it somewhere organizational styles are also much less picky; if the container is empty, it's fair game. 

As it turns out, those with the latter two styles might just have something to teach we I need to see it organizers. Keeping an open mind about what counts as a useful container (whether plastic, paper, fabric or something else altogether) can save money and boost the lifespan of everyday objects. While we've been rinsing out ricotta cheese containers for ages, are we as good at taking a second look at that well-constructed (and sometimes attractive) box that contained our new business cards? 

Since I've begun paying closer attention, I often find that the packaging for something (a box, a drawstring bag, or a plastic container, for example) can be repurposed. Not only are these items free, but they can reduce our recycling pile up our repurposing game as well.

Just as identifying systems that consistently work with our styles can make it easy to replicate what works instead of starting from scratch, repurposing containers that have the attributes of tools that work for us can give us a similar head start. Pairing our styles with a dash of creativity can help us build inexpensive systems that last, making organizing on a budget a fun challenge instead of an onerous burden.

So, before you toss the box that came inside the box your order was shipped in, give it a second look. Is it sturdy and well-crafted? Attractive? Could a little Washi tape or Contact paper jazz it up and turn it into a home for something else? While we need to be careful not to hold on to so many things that they create a whole new set of piles, saving containers that look a lot like the ones we already use can save us time, money, and energy. A slight change in perspective, coupled with a little optimism allows us to see not just what an object is but also what it could be. When we put our powers of observation and creativity to work, the right container might just be closer than we think. 

I think my mother and grandmother would be proud.