How to Reuse and Recycle Plastic Takeout Silverware

We try never to order takeout because we find Styrofoam packaging and plastic cutlery to be very wasteful. There are a few things that you can do, however, to keep those plastic forks, knives, and spoons from ending up in a landfill.

The first thing you need to do, of course, is wash them thoroughly. Then I like to store them in the silverware drawer until needed. It is a good idea to keep at least one set of spare plastic cutlery in the glove compartment of your car in case you need it. You never know when it might be handy, especially on a trip.

I like to save up lots of plastic cutlery for use in case of a party or get-together. You don't want any of your good dishes accidentally thrown in the trash, and you may not have enough silverware for everyone in a large group, so using the plasticware that you have saved up instead will keep you from losing any. It's also a great way to save money because you won't have to go out and buy any if you are having people over.

I also like to keep them for use in lunches. My husband takes them to work and kids can take them to school and you never need to worry about your dishes never coming home again. They can also be packed into picnic lunches. Never lose your good silverware again!

You can give plastic cutlery to children to play with in their play kitchens instead of buying them fake plastic play silverware. It's essentially the same thing, only it doesn't cost you any money.

Wash and save your plastic cutlery and donate them to a local homeless shelter or battered women's shelter. Many churches also provide free food for the poor and meals for the homeless and can use any extra dishes and plastic silverware that you can provide.

Schools and daycares often have a use for plastic silverware. Donate them to your child's teacher. They can be used in crafts or to mix paints. They can also be used if the class has a cake party or an ice cream party.

White plastic cutlery, especially the knives, can be written on with permanent marker and used as plant labels in the garden. I also like to use spoons and forks for preparing and transplanting my seedlings. Spoons can be used like tiny trowels and forks can be used to dig up seedlings without damaging the roots.

Plastic spoons can be made into great gifts. Melt some milk chocolate in a double boiler on low heat and dip the spoon end into the chocolate, remove it, and set it on some waxed paper to harden. Wrap it in cellophane and tie with a ribbon. These can be stirred into hot coffee to add flavoring. They also make excellent stocking stuffers.

If you have children, save all of your plastic cutlery to reuse again and again for your children's birthday parties.

If you don't want to reuse your plastic cutlery, you can offer it up in bulk on Freecycle.org and someone will be happy to take it off of your hands for you. You can also check the recycle code on the back to see if they are accepted for recycling in your area.