I love these Omni plastic storage boxes by KIS.

Okay, I know what you’re thinking.   PLASTIC?  Isn’t this blog eco-friendly?

Well, yeah.  We try to be.  But we still need to store things, and as wonderful as it would be to have all our storage in vintage wooden trunks, bamboo baskets and stainless steel Bento boxes, in real life that’s not always possible (or affordable!).  Plastic does have its place, though it’s far too easy to overuse and abuse.

So… we try to limit our plastic use, but when it’s necessary, we try to make the best decisions we can.  That’s where these boxes come in!

First, let’s look at the practical side of things.

• The Omni series of boxes come in a wide range of sizes, from 6″x8″ accessory boxes to 60L totes.
• Unlike some boxes which claim to be stackable but don’t really fit properly, these ones do.  There is a recessed area in the lids where the bottom of another box fits just nicely and they are quite stable.
• The plastic is surprisingly soft and flexible, while still being strong and sturdy.  I expect this will lessen the likelihood of cracking.
• While many boxes are see-through, these are exceptionally clear, not opaque in the least.  (The larger sizes have solid blue lids, while the smaller boxes have clear lids).
• The lids are simple to snap on, with no fancy latches or doohickeys, and are easy to remove — you don’t need a crowbar to lift the handle!  And yet they are well-fitting and secure, not at all flimsy or loose.
• They are very affordable, the accessory box is only $1.99, or $9.99 for a pack of 6 at Canadian Tire.

Now for the bonuses:

• These boxes are “number 5″ plastic, which is considered among the ’safest’ of plastic types, and is readily recyclable.
• While KIS is an Italian company, their North American  products are manufactured right here in Canada.  That’s right!  Not China.  Canada.  Brampton, Ontario, to be precise.  So we are supporting Canadian jobs when we buy these boxes.  Plus, there is much less pollution and waste from around-the-globe transportation.

We’re in the process of organizing my son’s mountains of Lego, and these boxes are doing the trick!  We can easily see the contents of every box, the uncomplicated but secure lids are easy for him to use, and we can feel good that it’s actually Made in Canada.  They are so very practical, that we know we’ll get good use of them — unlike many other plastic storage boxes we’ve purchased in the past, which end up sitting empty, unused, and unloved… and often non-recyclable.  That is true waste.  A plastic box that gets well-used and is recyclable when you’re done?  Well, there’s a good argument supporting that, I’d say.

In brief, we should still all try and reduce our consumption and over-dependence on plastic.  But when plastics are unavoidable, or at least the most obviously practical solution, we should at least endeavour to use the safest types, and support local businesses whenever possible.

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