What to do w/restaurant take-out utensils & packets?

[smiles33]

We don't get take-out every week, but we get it regularly enough that I have 3 bags full of plastic utensils, disposable chopsticks, and soy sauce packets/parmesan cheese pouches/red chili flakes/etc. after cleaning out our pantry. I hate to toss all of it, but can't figure out what to do with it. Is there anywhere to donate this? Can you think of some sort of art project I could do with it? Any other ideas?

[MontrealMum]

I use chopsticks as plant stakes, and we generally eat the soy eventually. Or I cook with it. No idea about the rest, and would love to hear everyone else's ideas too. We also try hard not to take the extras, or give them back ;)

[JTsMom]

I would try something like a soup kitchen or shelter of some sort. Let us know who ends up with them, b/c I tend to get a collection of them going as well.

[hollybloom24]

I second the food pantry/soup kitchen. I think it is a great thought!

[Octobermommy]

Also, when placing the order request no utensils or sauces. They are usually happy to oblige.

[kransden]

I take plastic stuff to dd's teacher's lounge. It always gets used there.

[Globetrotter]

freecycle

seriously, I've unloaded all sorts of stuff there!

[baymom]

Also, when placing the order request no utensils or sauces. They are usually happy to oblige.

:yeahthat:

[DebbieJ]

When my brother was in Iraq, I sent lots of packets of sauces, etc, to him there. The soldiers appreciate them.

[TwinFoxes]

When my brother was in Iraq, I sent lots of packets of sauces, etc, to him there. The soldiers appreciate them.

Do you know a way to send these if there's not a specific person you're sending to? I personally don't have a big stockpile, but it seems like many people do, and knowing how to get these to our troops would be helpful (and honestly if our troops need them I'd start getting them from take out places and sending them over.)

[DietCokeLover]

I LOVE the idea of sending them to the troops.

Another thought might be to give them to a local Girls and Boys Club or something like that.

[DebbieJ]

Do you know a way to send these if there's not a specific person you're sending to? I personally don't have a big stockpile, but it seems like many people do, and knowing how to get these to our troops would be helpful (and honestly if our troops need them I'd start getting them from take out places and sending them over.)

You cannot mail anything address to "A Soldier"--you have to mail to someone specific. Ask around--I'm sure you'll find someone who has a relative or a church member or someone over there that you can send them to. My brother is back on his base in Okinawa now.

[Melanie]

I keep a few extra sets in my glove box for that time you actually will be eating the Take out, out, and they forget them! I also have a stash in my kitchen to throw into our cooler for when we're going somewhere with lunch from home.