Getting Eggs Without Cartons

As you could probably guess, styrofoam egg cartons bug the crap out of me.  I usually buy the organic eggs from Safeway and they come in cardboard cartons.  But when we got out to the Hutterite colony I can buy local eggs for less then half the price of the organic.  Problem is, they come in styrofoam cartons.

So the last time we went out, I took the old, heirloom egg basket that I acquired from one of my grandmothers, and got the nice Hutterite lady (Sarah) to get me eggs without a carton.  Straight from the cardboard flat, the eggs went into my basket and came home that way.


Now, the Hutterites will take the cartons back for re-use, but they can only be re-used so many times before they are worn out.  This just takes me out of the loop and removes my responsibility for that carton. 

Remember ... there are always options.

P.S. - if you have an option of buying eggs directly from the layers (or their owners) I don't think you need a special basket to do it - any basket should work.  You're not tossing large crates around, so the egg carton really isn't necessary.  I've been doing this now for more than 6 months - averaging about a dozen a week - and I haven't broken one yet!  Even soft-shelled eggs.  Just put them on the floor in the car and they arrive safe and sound at home.

Comments

  1. Shelly SimpsonMay 20, 2011 at 9:22 AM

    Nice! What a handy and special thing to have.

    fyi - Sunworks Farm (from Armena) has opened a shop in Camrose. We buy our eggs & meats from them. 100% certified organic, raised on grass & sunshine, all that.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJuly 25, 2012 at 11:36 AM

    In this part of the world styrofoam is not in common use in food packaging anymore. Next time you see something that you think is a styrofoam carton or food tray, turn it over and you'll no doubt see a recycle triangle impressed into it indicating that it is low-density polyethylene. Completely recyclable!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sandi RatchJuly 25, 2012 at 11:43 AM

    not sure who's been checking out the blog and leaving so many comments - thanks. The styrofoam cartons do have the recycling symbol on them - here, too - but most places don't recycle them. Check with your local recycler to see if they accept them. Styrofoam is too light to transport economically, so it tends to not be a money-maker in the recycling industry. If they do recycle in your area, maybe you can share some of that information with us so we know what they are doing with it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sandi RatchJuly 25, 2012 at 11:51 AM

    http://www.greenlivingtips.com/articles/218/1/Recycling-styrofoam.html

    http://www.wikihow.com/Recycle-Styrofoam

    Check out these articles for more information on polystyrene recycling. Check the number on your polystyrene and see if your recycling depot accepts it.

    ReplyDelete

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