Sustainable Storage Solutions

Artisans from Cuetzalan, Mexico weaving baskets with wood and jonote fiber // Photo Credits: C. Penn

Sustainable Storage Solutions

Take a look around your house. What kinds of things are you storing? What are you storing them in? 

Most people will respond by mentioning their kitchen first and the miles of tupperware tops and bowls they have packed in their cabinets, on top of their fridge and on the counter. 

Oftentimes, the need to recycle and avoid buying plastic is overlooked when it comes to simple storage solutions within the home. How many of us have gone to the store and bought additional countless containers “just in case” we needed more? Don’t worry, I’m raising my hand too. Let’s face it, plastic is plastic, no matter what it’s used for, and it seems to be something that humanity just can’t get away from. Even as I’m typing this I’m looking at my BPA free plastic water bottle that will most likely either get lost or tossed away somehow and wind up in a river all the way in Cambodia one day.

Instead of bringing more and more plastic storage solutions into our homes, we should begin by investing in sustainable storage solutions, such as old containers or even storage bins made from natural materials, like palm leaves. 

Custom Tradition launched itself into the fair trade home decor market with just a few of our palm leaf baskets. Although the initial intention was to simply provide unique, Oaxacan home decor designs, we realized that the baskets we were promoting had way more than just an aesthetic touch. The Custom Tradition palm leaf baskets are, and have been traditionally used as storage by the indigenous communities that they come from. The women of the Ñaá Ka Jani Basket Weaving Collective for example, are from this community and have been storing organic goods, spices and foods in these kinds of baskets for generations. Made simply from organic palm leaves sourced from within their community, these baskets help combat the pollution that our world experiences. 

Obviously, there are so many different materials that are WAY better than plastic, such as:

• Palm Leaves/Seagrass/Wicker

Depending on the region, the name of this exact material will change. But generally speaking, palm leaves, seagrass, and wicker are organic materials that are stripped from their natural source and set out in the sun to be dried and then woven into a specific shape, just like our palm leaf baskets.

• Jute

Jute is a long, shiny fiber that can be woven into coarse, yet strong threads. It is biodegradable and recyclable. Consider buying storage options that are made from jute to live a plastic-free life. 

• Glass

Glass is an obvious option. Unless you haven’t already had your hipster phase yet, consider swapping out your plastic water bottle for a recycled glass jar instead.

• Recycled Materials

Recycled materials is any material that is found and transformed into something new. There are plenty of items out there these days that are made from old recycled materials, such as plastic found in the ocean or plastic waste from a factory.

With pretty much every market/website selling them, it can be tempting to buy plastic organizers and plastic storage bins. However, simply being conscious of your buys can make a huge difference. Every time you need a storage solution in your home, for your pantry, office, bathroom or anywhere else, consider purchasing a plastic-free option. Instead of plastic dividers, buy bamboo ones. Instead of a plastic storage bin for your blankets, buy a woven one made from seagrass. Instead of a plastic holder for your pens and pencils, buy a woven one made from palm leaves. 

Organizing your home without plastic is not impossible, it’s simply a choice that you have to make.