Thank you everyone for the good ideas! The duffel bag idea made me think of all the unused old suitcases in my parents basement, I might as well just fill those up! Charity shops is a good idea too, and I'm going to check out those boxes on etsy, it might be nice for keeping books!

As far as storage goes, why not check out freecycle or gumtree.com or charity shops in your local area? You should be able to find something to suit your purpose, you'll be able to stop plastics from going to landfill and give it a second lease on life.

Or, for clothing storage, we can do like my mother and use a cedar chest. Or for something more convenient how about large duffel bags you can buy handmade plastic free ones or if you need more durable buy handmade recycled billboard or sailcloth duffel bags. Or even vintage luggage.

The only thing I can find for storage is "metal file boxs" on etsy.com to replace plastic storage bins. They are not as big (12x10x10) but at least they are not plastic!

Beth, Do you have a suggestion for someone who doesn't have storage bins yet? I'll be moving some stuff to my parents basement, I'm afraid the cardboard boxes won't keep up and I don't feel like buying the plastic bins... Greets from Belgium (you're inspiring us over here too!)

Wow. Extremely honored that Blue Pug is in such great company :) The waterbottle art is particularly amazing.

Thank you for this post, and this reminder. I wrote about plastic in the ocean for World Oceans Day, too, and will go back and link to this post. http://chezsven.blogspot.com/2010/06/ocean-lovers-unite.html . I cannot watch the videos until my guests wake up. Simply cannot forget the image of the seagull eating the plastic bag which I saw here in a video. Have made a recommendation to the Economic Development Committee of my town that it go green and get plastic bags out of our lives. Just read Slow Death by Rubber Duck and recommend it to everyone. Your blog is so important in raising awareness of the horror of plastic choking our world. Do you know if that exhibit is going to travel around the country?? .-= Alexandra´s last blog ..Ocean-lovers, Unite! =-.

I found a museum made of beach rubbish (16 tons of it I think) It was on treehugger. Might be worth a look :) viv in nz

Thanks Beth for clarifying I get that, good thoughts. .-= Suzanne´s last blog ..For Women Only (not really but I thought it sounded good) =-.

Hey, Beth. Once again, a wonderful post. I thought you'd like to know that I nominated you for Best blogger, Best hometown hero, Best homegrown Internet phenomenon, and Best local activist on the East Bay Express Best of the East Bay 2010 survey. You're so inspirational that I couldn't resist. ^_^

Here is a link to a video of where some of that plastic ends up when it does not get used as art or recycled http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dc0a4uuI1gY And some other wonderful artists that are working with marine debris Andrew McNaughton - http://www.andrew-mcnaughton.com/ Pam Longobardi - http://www.pamlongobardi.com/ Michelle Lougee - http://www.mlougee.com/ Thanks for your post. .-= Wayne Sentman´s last blog ..World Oceans Day at The New England Aquarium with the "Green Team" =-.

Hi Suzanne. I'm guessing you already have a few of those Rubbermaid containers. If I were you, I'd just continue using what you already have. It's not like you're eating out of them. I use a few of those containers myself -- ones that I already had before going plastic-free. For me, plastic-free means no new plastic, but it doesn't prohibit using what I have. In fact, reuse is encouraged.

You make me question all plastic, and I love you for it. Keep on reminding us, and giving great alternatives. Have you found a good alternative to those giant rubbermaids for storage? I really like those, but won't be buying anymore. There are some things that just need to be stored and simple cardboard discolors clothing that I pass from one boy to the next. Thanks .-= Suzanne´s last blog ..For Women Only (not really but I thought it sounded good) =-.