Challenge #14 — Tupperware

Welcome to our third week of GO! (Get Organized!) month. Whether you have been working with us all January, or are just starting today, welcome!  Today we will clear out Tupperware and plastic containers.

Let’s recall the process we are using throughout the month:

THE PROCESS

• Gather your supplies:
  • Boxes or bags labeled with:
    • “Donate”
    • “Elsewhere”
    • “Store”
  • Trash can/recycle bin
  • Damp rag/wet wipe

• Empty challenge area for the day. And by empty, I mean EMPTY.

• Once the area is empty, wipe it clean with a damp rag.

• Now sort the items into these categories: (The Seana Method’s R.E.D.D.S. system)
  • R- “Restore”: items to go back in
  • E- “Elsewhere: items to keep, but which don’t belong in this space
  • D- “Donate”
  • D- “Dispose”: trash or recycle
  • S- “Store”: items to keep for sentimental reasons, or perhaps for a long-term future use, but which are not regularly used. (These items will eventually need to go into a bin/box in an attic, basement, or closet.)

• As you are sorting, put items into the boxes/bags you prepared.

• Once you are finished sorting, put the “Restore” items back into your designated area.

• Carry the “Elsewhere” box/bag around your house and redistribute its contents.

• Move the “Donate” box/bag to the car to be donated.

• Trash/recycle the “Dispose” items

• Put the "Store" box aside for now. When the month is over, these items will be packaged for long-term storage.

THE TASK

Today we have a challenge that will be easy to work on, even if your kids/spouse are home for the holiday. It’s time to dump out and review all of your plastic food storage containers.

Begin by taking all of your containers and putting them on a clear sorting surface.  Pair each container with its matching lid. Actually put the lids on to see which fit well, and to identify those that perhaps have warped over time. 

Throw away (or recycle) any containers that are

• cracked or broken
• warped
• missing a lid
• stained

This challenge is a classic example of the importance of “living within your space.” While it is wonderful to have containers, it is a burden to have too many. Decide how much space you have. Now stack similar containers (the ones that can easily “nest”). Stack the lids and put them under the containers they match. If you have some tiny containers, use a larger container as a drawer to hold them. Put the lid for the larger container underneath in your storage area.

If, after sorting, you can’t fit all of your containers back into your area, you have too many. It might seem hard, but it is better to get rid of some and have breathing room in your cabinet.

You may have some extra large containers that you only pull out for those times when you are cooking an especially large meal, e.g. Thanksgiving. If you rarely use them, they don’t need to take up space in your easily accessible kitchen cabinet. Consider moving them to a top shelf or to the back of a corner cabinet. 

If you want a sense of accomplishment, take “before” and “after” pictures. Happy Organizing!

Submitted by Seana Turner, founder and President of The Seana Method