Plastic has been public enemy number one for some time now.
Its problem is that it’s too well made: it refuses to break down and instead spends centuries littering the earth and clogging up the oceans. It’s easy to produce and manipulate but impossible to get rid of. But is it the bad guy? Not always.
Single use plastic is seen as the worst culprit, but there are useful versions, from medical equipment and engineering parts, to household essentials like storage boxes.
Great for keeping grains and cereal in your kitchen cupboards, leftovers in the fridge and out-of-season clothing at the back of your wardrobes plus a million other uses, a good set of reusable plastic storage containers can be a wise and worthy investment.
Buy the right ones and they’ll last you a lifetime. We’ve found the most robust options in a range of sizes and for all budgets to help make them easier to shop.
See the best below
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Tianlong 4pcs Mini Foldable Desk Crates Storage Box
Homeware hounds know these collapsible crates have been in every millennial-friendly interiors from Wandsworth to West Ham. With an appealing retro feel, they’re the sort of storage you won’t mind keeping in plain sight. This bundle of four comes in sweet pastel shades, offering an easy way to add a splash of colour as well as sort your knick knacks.
Buy now £11.88, Amazon
Really Useful 3 x 43L Storage Boxes - Clear
It’s all in the name here. These roomy containers with a clip top lid are perfect for packing away things you need occasionally - think Christmas decorations, festival fancy dress, art supplies or extra bedding such as duvets and pillows. This price is for a set of three and the see-through element means you can see what’s in each at a glance.
Buy now £30.00, Argos
OWill 7-pack Plastic Storage Basket, Multiple Colour
Proving storage doesn’t have to be boring is this bundle of colourful open-lidded plastic boxes. They’ll be useful in any room of the house, keeping small items neatly together. Use in the bathroom to sort toiletries, or keep inside wardrobe drawers to organise socks and smalls. Tidy house, tidy mind.
Buy now £15.99, Amazon
Joseph Joseph Podium Airtight Storage Container Set and Stand
This smart stand features two small podiums that allow you to grab and go without needing to unstack the top containers. You can store it in the cupboard but we think this attractive set is worthy of its own countertop space. If you have been searching for a housewarming gift, this is a thoughtful idea.
Buy now £35.00, John Lewis
Wilko Modular 32L Underbed Storage Box with Lid
If your frame allows it, storing things under your bed is a great use of an otherwise unused space. Wilko's box is designed to slip under beds at 18.8cm high but with a 32L capacity. That said there’s no reason you can’t use it inside ottoman storage beds too and organise the space. The clear box comes with an opaque black plastic lid and is stackable, so you can pair with other designs in the modular range.
Buy now £4.00, Wilko
Strata 35 Litre Stacking Picking Plastic Open Fronted Recycling Plastic Storage Box Bins
Whether you want to increase your home recycling efforts or need something larger than a bowl to store fruit and veg, these three stackable boxes offer a handy solution. They’re open fronted so you can easily rummage for what you need without upending the whole tower. Each holds 35L.
Buy now £25.02, Amazon
B&Q Mixxit Mid grey Polypropylene Large Nestable Storage box
If you’re looking for easy clean boxes to store kids toys, cleaning supplies or makeup products, head to B&Q where you can find this grey design with integrated handles. They slot easily into a certain Swedish brand’s shelving units, hiding away clutter while keeping everything you need within easy reach.
Buy now £4.00, B&Q
IGNPION 2-Tier Stackable Craft Storage Box
If you’ve got a hobby that requires a lot of fiddly little components - say LEGO building, jewellery making fishing, or knitting - finding a way to keep it all organised can be a nightmare. This stackable set of boxes are here to help, lightweight and compartmentalised to keep all your bits and bobs safe. Overall size: 36.5 x 26.5 x 19.4cm.
Buy now £18.99, Amazon
iDesign Can Storage Container with Lid
Keep soft drinks and 300ml drinks cool with this fridge organiser, which keeps up to nine cans out of the way of your other food items.
Buy now £16.49, Amazon
Homieco Stackable Box Chest Plastic Transparent Drawer Unit Organizer wardrobe Storage Boxes
This stacking system made up of plastic storage boxes has multiple uses around the home, helping you keep your wardrobe in order or organise snacks and ingredients in your kitchen cupboards.
Buy now £28.99, Amazon
Food Storage Container with Lids
Keep your baking ingredients, snacks, spices and grains organised with these containers which feature an airtight lid-lock mechanism. You can get them in small, medium and large sets, all in the same size of your choice. Choose the small set and you’ll get six tubs, all holding a litre each and measuring 4.96 x 3.54 x 6.3inches.
The included labels and chalk make labelling each container and doodle and easy to change if you decide to store something else in the containers.
They stack easily too, saving cupboard space and making them look neater to boot.
Buy now £21.59, Amazon
