Keeping it Green! Food Storage Solutions for Eco-Conscious Parents

As Earth Day approaches (April 22), it's a good time to take stock of your family's consumption habits. Here are some scary statistics: A typical American family of four consumes 182 gallons of soda, 29 gallons of juice, 104 gallons of milk, and 26 gallons of bottled water a year. All that adds up to nearly 1,600 pounds of trash per person, per year, making our country the world's leading producer of trash.*

Since packaging represents about 65% of household trash, reusable containers are a simple solution to the garbage epidemic. Rubbermaid's come out with two new products that eco-conscious parents may want to consider.

Litterless Juice Boxes

Available in two sizes (8.5 oz for little sippers and 16 oz for thirsty grade schoolers), these refillable drink containers are a smart idea.

Designed just like those toss-away juice boxes you buy at the grocery store, Rubbermaid's version features a flip-top spout for sipping and an internal straw that will reach liquids at the very bottom of the container. To use: Simply add your beverage or juice of choice to the clear box-shaped container and screw the cap black in place-your juice box is ready to go.

An added benefit, unlike a traditional juice box that must be punctured in order to get at the juice, the Rubbermaid spout is fitted with a leak-proof gasket assuring that the top won't let any liquid sneak out of the container and onto your sofa or the back seat of your car. Toss this juice box in a gym bag for a post-soccer drink or add them to a backpack for a lunchtime beverage.

Available in three fun colors: spa blue, kiwi green and chili red, these containers are recommended for children over the age of three. Some kids might balk at the lack of commercial endorsements on the boxes (no Dora, no Spiderman, etc.). I recommend decorating these boxes with colorful markers to personalize them. ($3.09-$3.99)

Premier Line of Storage

Rubbermaid tried to come up with a cure for a common problem: the dreaded missing storage lid. You know the drill, you're packing up leftovers from dinner and you can't find a matching base and lid in your cabinet so you give up and reach for plastic wrap or tinfoil.

With the Premier Storage Containers, the lids snap onto the base for hassle-free storage. Available in six sizes that will accommodate anything from leftover baby food to pasta for four and the various sizes easily nest into one another taking up less space in your closet. The black rubber lids are a snap to open (even while holding a baby on our hip) and the sleek, modern design will blend in with most kitchen décor.

Freezer, Microwave and Dishwasher safe, these containers will save you the trouble of wrapping and rewrapping food for your kids. Go ahead store your tomato sauce, these containers are designed to be stain-proof. The Premier line also comes with a lifetime guarantee.

If you think about all the money you spend on plastic wrap and tinfoil, this is a cash-smart and earth-friendly solution. ($2.49-$8.99)