Today, snow is falling in America's south for the first time in years! It's clear to me that nature is capable of making changes. The question is, are we? There's no denying that we live in a use-it-once-and-toss-it society. So many food products, for example, come in plastic containers that are immediately discarded after their initial use. Food storage containers and plasticware generally meet the same fate. To be more environmentally conscious, use, wash, and reuse regular utensils and dishes, rather than their disposable counterparts, whenever you can! It takes changing your habits, but it's worth it! Buy multi-use containers instead of single-use whenever possible, such as more durable food containers that are designed to be microwave and dishwasher safe. If you do use traditionally one-use plastic products such as those listed below, try to find corn-based biodegradeable single-use products and try to wash and reuse them as many times as possible and then recycle them rather than throwing them away.

Plastic Storage and Sandwich Bags
Plastic sandwich and other storage bags (freezer bags, snack bags, and so forth) are extremely convenient. But next time you’re done with your sandwich or other snack, instead of tossing the bag into the garbage, wash it, instead. After washing it, turn it inside out and dry in your dish drain or a wooden bag dryer. You can even throw it into the washing machine!

Plastic Dishes and Utensils
When you buy plastic plates, bowls, cups, and utensils for camping, picnics, parties, or other activities, save them instead of throwing them away. After using them, put them in the dishwasher (or wash them by hand) and then add them to your camping or picnic gear or keep them handy for the next get-together. You can also take the utensils, for example, to work and reuse them for meals or for stirring your coffee or tea in the morning.

Plastic Food and Water Containers
Many types of plastic containers can be reused for storing, refrigerating, and freezing foods. Yogurt, cottage cheese, sour cream, and similar containers are great for storing leftovers. You can refrigerate or freeze them, and then when you are ready to eat the contents, put the food into a pan or pot to warm on the stove or into a dish to reheat in the microwave. Note: Do not microwave food in these kinds of disposable food containers. Chemicals leech into the food. Yucky!

Water, soda, juice, and sports drink bottles can also be reused, though they must be carefully cleaned after use to avoid contamination by bacteria. If properly cleaned, these liquid containers can be reused several times. Eventually, the plastic will start to wear down, though, so don’t keep them too long (probably no more than a month or two).

Milk jugs and other opaque containers, on the other hand, are designed for very short-term use and should not be reused for storage of food or beverages because they break down very easily.