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Organizing Your Pantry

When organizing your kitchen many people likely don't think about using storage totes to create a pantry storage system, but it can be a great way to declutter your cooking space and find exactly what you need in your pantry quickly. Whether you have to buy more storage bins or you have some extras around the house, organizing your pantry is easy with some shelves, bins and, of course, all of your kitchen utensils and snacks!  First, you'll have to place the shelving racks in place with screws. This will be the base for your storage options and will help create extra space for things that don't fit in your plastic drawers. After screwing in the shelf holders you can use either pieces that came with the holders or make your own shelves out of wood to create the exact style and look you're going for in your pantry.  Next, you'll have to move onto the storage bin sections. There are options in this step, depending on what type of storage you want. One approach is to ...

Fall Clean-Up with Edge Plastics

 As we begin to move into cooler temperatures you should be well into the fall cleanup of your home and garden! Although not conventionally used, plastic totes can actually be very helpful during your cleanup work especially on the outside of your home. While you may usually just use a wheelbarrow or a bucket for containing all the pesky weeds and other yard scraps that you pull out of your garden during the fall, storage totes can be a great alternative, especially if you have a large number of objects that need to be removed from your flower beds. Using these totes you can contain all of your scraps in one easy-to-carry tote and you also will need to empty it a lot less if you go for one that is of a larger size. Also, some heavier-duty totes also include sections on the inside of the handle that can hold garbage bags in case you don't have a place to dump the scraps or would rather just put everything into a bag that you can take out with your trash. After you have finished yo...

Emergency Kit for Your Vehicle

We know it is only the end of September, but winter weather likes to sneak up and surprise us in Ohio! That means the time to prepare for that bad winter weather is now, and you know what? You need an emergency kit any time of the year because your car can break down no matter what the weather is. You can get a pre-made kit, but if you buy supplies, you can make multiple kits and have leftovers to replenish as you need. The biggest benefit of creating your own vehicle emergency kit? You'll know exactly what's inside. You bought it and packed it, so you'll know what is and isn't included. So let's get prepared! First, get yourself a plastic tote. Preferably one that is smaller, a 5-gallon tote will work well and keep everything from scattering all over in your trunk. If you have a truck and you don't have a truck "tool box" to hold everything, get a heavier duty plastic tote that will keep out the rain, snow, and bugs. Now, it's time to gather mater...

Saving School Papers Without Getting Overwhelmed

From the moment a baby is born (and many time even before!), we start collecting momentos of their lives. Ultrasound pictures, that first lock of hair from a haircut, the blanket they were swaddled in when they first arrived; all of these evoke strong memories and are pleasant to view. A little cedar chest and a baby book is wonderful way to safely store these. When school starts, suddenly, the amount of momentos increases. There are adorable pictures scrawled by tiny hands, those adorable hand print turkeys that everyone makes around Thanksgiving, and you cannot forget about those "letters to mom." But these are mostly paper and other crafting materials. Speaking from experience, the sheer volume of artwork from the first 3 years of school is phenomenal and overwhelming. But that being said, the sentimentalist wants to keep some things, and it's good to do that, but not EVERYTHING. How can you do that while still showing your child that you care about the work they do? H...

Overhead Garage Storage

 Even with everything stuffed in storage totes, you still might run completely out of storage space no matter how hard you try to condense every little object in your home. Although it seems like a disaster, don't worry as many people forget about all of the extra space they have around their property that they've never thought about turning into storage space. One place many people never really think about is the space under the roof of their garage. This space can be very valuable in creating storage around your property. If you have basic carpentry skills you can easily construct a makeshift platform out of plywood and some other boards that you can then attach to the top boards of your garage. Once it is securely connected, this new space can add some much-needed storage to your property.  If you take some plastic storage totes and place them up on the plywood after you fill them with your belongings that needed to be stored elsewhere, you can create quite the storage s...

Opening up the Sports Totes

 As summer turns to fall many kids and adults alike will be switching from their summer sports, such as golf or baseball, to their fall activities, like football, cheerleading and soccer. That can only mean one thing for parents...  A mess in your home as all the summer equipment gets swapped for the fall equipment and if you have lots of kids or your children play lots of sports it may take you MONTHS to truly be reorganized, which could be just in time for another switch in seasons. This season switch-up doesn't have to be that hard though. Using plastic totes to organize all of the sports equipment throughout your home can save space, making transitioning between season easier and save you the hassle of finding the perfect spot for everything at the end of each season.  Our advice is to create a system with the totes in your home. First, you need to find a specific location that your totes will stay in the off-season so that they have designated space and you will kno...

Composting with Plastic Totes? Yes!

A worm composting bin, known as a vermicomposter, can be fairly inexpensive and easy to maintain. There are several ways to vermicompost. Below are instructions on how to build one kind of worm composting bin designed to be used inside. It is also possible to purchase worm composting bins. You will want to put your bin in an indoor space as you do not want the worms to freeze in the winter or get too warm in the summer. Additionally, you may want to put the bin in a basement or other out-of-the-way space since you will be producing compost and worm “tea” in the composter. Here are the supplies you need: 1. Two plastic bins – one must be taller and rest inside the other, shorter bin. The top tub should have a top to keep the worms from finding their way outside the box. It also needs to be somewhat flexible so you can drill holes into it. An 18 gallon tub that is roughly 15 inches deep, 20 inches wide and 15 inches tall works well. 2. A drill – To drill the holes so the worms can breat...

Plastic Yarn Box

Has your mother, your grandmother or yourself complained about all of your yarn being thrown into a basket or just scattered randomly around a room in the house after a long craft session? Well, there's an easy way to fix that with a simple DIY project!  You can make a super simple yarn box right at home, likely with things that you probably already have around the house. All you need for this project is whatever sized plastic container that you need to accommodate the amount of yarn you have and something to poke holes in the lid of the container with. You will poke the holes, then slide each end of the stools of yarn through the holes out the top. After you replace the top, you can now grab yarn out of the box very easily, without the clutter of loose yarn around your craft room and home.  If you have a lot of yarn to include, you can color code the yarn in an order that you choose so you know exactly where to go for each color. You also may, if you have too large of a yarn...

Jewelry Storage

If you or a loved one is a shopaholic and can't stop buying jewelry, you're gonna need a place to store all of those fabulous accessories. Luckily for you, a jewelry box/transporter can be made very easily from a  plastic bin , a drill and a few metal hooks!  All you have to do is find a small to medium-sized plastic container, either new or just one that you happen to have lying around the house. You then will take this container and drill however many holes you want in the sides of the plastic. After the holes are drilled and placed where you want them, you may insert the metal hooks that you have handy, so that they look similar to the picture above (depending on the types of hooks you chose, of course). Now you have an easy to make jewelry container! You can use your newly made transporter to help keep your necklaces/ bracelets tangle-free, organize your jewelry by color, style or design and also take your accessories on-the-go to an extended vacation, a friends house or j...

DIY Water Feature

Have you been feeling like your landscaping is missing something? Maybe you need a water feature! A water feature will give your outdoor area some visual and audible interest. We are going to tell you how to make a small water feature that's inexpensive and easy to do. First, you need a clear or opaquely clear watertight plastic tote . The size depends on your preference, but we think an 80 quart tote will allow you a great look. Find the area where you want to put your water feature and trace around the tote. Then dig out enough dirt so that the top of the container is flush with the ground. Next, get some larger rocks and place them in the bottom to hold the tote in place. If you want (and this is actually very important), place a pump into the container. Keeping the water moving helps to promote aeration throughout the pond and discourages the growth of pests like mosquitoes and algae. Use some more rocks to secure the pump. Now, here's where your creativity gets to shine! S...

Plastic Totes or Hamster Palace?

Do you find yourself sympathizing for your small pets, such as hamsters or gerbils, because of the small cages that are sold at pet stores? Well you could create your own habitat for your tiny companion through customizing plastic storage totes along with the use of tubes, wire cage pieces and a few other tools.  To start making a large home for your pet you will need to decide how big you want to make the habitat, which will determine how many totes you need. If you go for the multi-level style of home, you will need to cut out holes in the top and bottoms of the totes so that the animals can travel in the tubes between each tote. You will also need to cut holes to put in wire screens for ventilation, which you can also then use these holes for the access doors and a place for the water dispenser. The amount of space and access to other levels of the palace are really up to you as the designer, but there are lots of options when it comes to this, just make sure that there is am...

Storage to Seating

If you are a social butterfly, like many people out there, you may thrive in the atmosphere of hosting get-togethers at your apartment or home. However, two big issues can arise when you are the host of your social group. These are Storage of your belongings and Seating for your many guests. Well luckily if you have extra plastic storage totes sitting around your living space you can create one solution to two problems.  For this project all you will need is two plastic storage bins , a piece of plywood and a quilted bedspread. This project is remarkably simple as all you need to do is put the storage bins end-to-end and place the piece of plywood over them to create a flat surface. After the plywood place the bedspread over the top and either fold it under the storage bins or simply let it hang over the edges and hold it in place with decorative objects or walls. You can even put throw pillows on top of the bedspread if you are feeling extra fancy or some padding between the plyw...

Camping Uses for Plastic Totes

Summertime is finally here! The weather has finally warmed up, and now we can get out to the great outdoors and camp (properly socially distanced, of course)! Camping is a fantastic way to combat the cabin fever many of us got during the "shelter in place" time during the past few months, so you will definitely want to make the most of your time. How can you do that? By using a surprise tool accessible to everyone: plastic totes! Let's scout out a number of cool ways to use plastic totes to make your camping trip awesome. 1. For food storage This one is probably the most obvious, but we're going to put it here anyway. Store your food in a plastic container while camping to protect it from dust, bugs and wildlife. To protect your food, and more importantly you, from wildlife interested in raiding your food, the containers can also be easily transferred to the car or to a separate designated food storage bin or locker. 2. As a laundry basket Since they are of a similar ...

Make a Kitty Tower out of Plastic Storage Totes

If you are a cat owner, then you know how cats can get into your things and jump on countertops, tables, and more. Some days, it seems as if cats will do almost anything for attention. When you are busy trying to work from home, complete household chores, or simply relaxing with a good book or watching a show, you do not want to constantly be bothered by your cat. We have the solution. Build a cat tower or condo with plastic storage totes . Your furry friend is sure to be excited about gaining a new toy that he can climb on and explore. The best part is you won’t have to yell at him to get down like you do when he jumps on your kitchen table. Keep your kitty off the table by creating a tower with plastic storage totes for him.   In this blog, we will give step-by-step instructions on how to create such a thing. Prepare to have more time to yourself while your furry friend is entertained by climbing onto and inside of plastic storage totes. Acquire plastic storage tot...

Quarantine Storage Ideas

Have you noticed that your home has become messier during this quarantine? Your kids are home from school. You are working from home. While you find yourself spending more and more time at home, you don’t have the time to clean and organize things like you wish you did. Between work, playing teacher, and struggling with anxiety, you do not have much time left over to organize. We have a great solution that takes hardly any time at all! Storage totes are a quick and easy way to keep your possessions in so that your home stays tidy. Keep your home tidy during quarantine with plastic storage totes! Storing shoes in storage totes is a great way to keep them all in once place. You know how sometimes you might have a couple of pairs by the front door, one under the bed, and the rest in the closet? Yeah, that is not the best plan. You do not want to be running late for events because you cannot find the right pair of shoes. While your kids are studying at home, storing school suppl...

Starting your Garden Using Clear Plastic Storage Totes

It is late April and the weather is still pretty erratic here in North Central Ohio. Last week, we had about 3 inches of snow fall in the morning and by the afternoon it was all melted. Then it hit 60 degrees the next day, and the day after we had crazy wind. If there is one thing that stable, it is that the weather and temperature here are very unstable! With wild weather like this, many gardeners like to start their gardens before outside planting can actually happen so that the tender sprouts will not get ruined with an unexpected late April or early May frost. We were doing a little Pinterest browsing and came across the idea of using clear plastic totes as greenhouses for those small seedlings, so we are going to give you a how-to on getting your garden started using the not-so-crazy idea of making a plastic storage tote into a greenhouse. Here is what you will need: Small seedling containers Soil Seeds Clear plastic storage totes with clear lids First, the plastic to...

Gift Giving with Storage Totes

Spring is here and we are getting closer to graduation and wedding season! This year might be a little different with many graduations not taking place at the normal time (or place), and weddings that you had already received a "save-the-date" for have been postponed. That doesn't mean, however, that you cannot still get a useful gift for the person (or couple)! And, yes, you can give something very useful with a plastic tote ! Many of these ideas can be either a graduation gift or a wedding gift. Gather a collection of gifts in a theme like these: Cleaning supplies, if they are moving out or to a dorm (toilet bowl brush, cleaner, disinfectant wipes, electronic-safe wipes, dusting supplies, glass cleaner, etc.) School supplies (pens, pencils, paper, binders, folders, envelopes, etc.) Car Washing supplies (soap, sponge or chamois, wax, rags, brush for tires, tire cleaner, interior cleaner, glass cleaner, paper towels, regular towels for drying, etc.) Oil Change...

The Many Uses of Storage Totes

Storage totes come in all shapes, sizes, and colors! Edge Plastics can create opaque, clear, translucent, heavy duty or industrial, and even seasonal or custom totes. Whether you need storage totes for personal or professional use, we are here to help. We offer private labeling on all tote products as well as an expansive color palate from which customers can choose. Our products can be found at large retailers throughout the United States and Canada. In this blog, we are going to discuss the many benefits and uses of storage totes . Our opaque storage totes are great to keep toys for your children! Storage totes are a great help if you are selling your home. You can store items that you would prefer folks not to see when they come to an open house. Additionally, they’ll come in handy once the moving process begins. Another great use for our totes would be storing holiday decorations, such as your Christmas lights, ornaments, or tree. This helps to keep the extra decorations...

Why Choose Edge Plastics

When you do business with Edge Plastics Inc. , you’ll feel comfortable that you are in experienced and capable hands. Rest assured that you will receive the highest quality products and the most complete service, all at the best value possible. Our goal is to make YOU successful! Edge Plastics is family-owned and operated in Mansfield, Ohio, and we're proud to serve you! Our company’s mission is to provide high quality products at competitive prices. Edge Plastics has been investing in new injection molding machines and technology. In 2018, a 150,000 sq. ft. facility was purchased to expand our distribution capacity. In addition to Edge Plastics’ line of plastic storage products, the Edge Plastics team can walk you through your custom project, from consultation, model creation and tooling design, to material, color selection and packaging for the finished product. Edge Plastics offers competitive advantages with a customer mindset. Our customers can expect flexible ord...

Find New Ways to Use Your Old Storage Bins!

So you finally cleaned out your closet, that storage room, and your garage and purged the things you no longer want... but now you have all these extra polymer storage totes . Sure, you could stack them up and store them away in case you need them again, or you could repurpose them around your home and even garden! Edge Plastics Inc. makes long-lasting plastic storage totes for all your storage needs, but here are some of our favorite unconventional ways to repurpose them! 1. Cat Boxes Now, there are a couple of ways you can do this. The first is creating a litter box for your cat that helps prevent litter from spreading, and from other pets getting into the litter. For this you'll need the lid and polymer storage tote base. Simply take the lid, cut a hole large enough for your feline friend in it, cover the sharp edges, and snap it back on the plastic storage tote back together. It's important to remember to cover the sharp edges with a thin covering of plastic, or c...