Eliminating cardboard

Harriet · 07-12-2004, 14:05

To reduce the risk of roaches (a/k/a palmetto bugs), I have had reasonably good success in eliminating cardboard from our boat, including the boxes that surround crackers, pudding mix, pasta, etc. But what do you do with zip-lock type baggies if you toss the boxes they come in? So far I have tried putting rubber bands around each size group, but I'm not thrilled with it.

Does anyone out there have a better way of storing baggies outside the box?

sv_makai · 07-12-2004, 16:21

We have gone to the vacuum sealer. the bags are actually compress and then we store them in a large rubbermaid containers. We have found that the bags are reusable and the food safe bug and mold free until we are ready to use them.

In the case of pudding and some other daily use foods like flour, we purchased several of the vacuum canisters. this way they can be opened and resealed wuickly and easily for daily use.

**Pblais** · 08-12-2004, 14:50

Having backpacked with years of eliminating cardboard and all other packaging due to it's bulk it's not hard to make it work. Cardboard really adds nothing except bulk. A strong freezer style baggie will be stronger than any cardboard box. They take a lot of punishment.

Vaccum bags sound even better as they are totally water tight too. You might try a system of plastic crates and boxes to group the bags in. You might also look at making dividers for lockers that organize the space easier for loose bags. Hefty makes a resealable 2 1/2 gallon bag with a plastic slider you could put small baggies inside.

I would go with premeasured portions if you can too. The resealable vaccum canisters also sound good for daily access backed up with refills from sealed plastic bags.

I would also suggest Sanford "Sharpie" permanent markers to label everything too. They write on baggies better than anything. Color codes and all sorts of ideas come to mind as well. A map of all the storage onboard to help you find things seems like a good idea too.

If you take two full paper grocery bags and throw out all the packaging you end up with about 3/4 of a bag of food.

07-12-2004, 14:05	#1
Harriet Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Caribbean Boat: 2004 Manta 42 - Perseverance Posts: 281	Eliminating cardboard To reduce the risk of roaches (a/k/a palmetto bugs), I have had reasonably good success in eliminating cardboard from our boat, including the boxes that surround crackers, pudding mix, pasta, etc. But what do you do with zip-lock type baggies if you toss the boxes they come in? So far I have tried putting rubber bands around each size group, but I'm not thrilled with it. Does anyone out there have a better way of storing baggies outside the box?

07-12-2004, 16:21	#2
sv_makai Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Currently, cruise is over and back in Solomons MD, USA Boat: Voyage/Maxim 380 - Makai Posts: 469 Images: 10	food storage We have gone to the vacuum sealer. the bags are actually compress and then we store them in a large rubbermaid containers. We have found that the bags are reusable and the food safe bug and mold free until we are ready to use them. In the case of pudding and some other daily use foods like flour, we purchased several of the vacuum canisters. this way they can be opened and resealed wuickly and easily for daily use. __________________ Captain Bil sv Makai KI4TMM Currently: Caribe cruise is over, Solomon's MD, USA http://www.sv-makai.com

08-12-2004, 14:50	#3
Pblais Moderator Site Helper Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hayes, VA Boat: Gozzard 36 - Bright Eyes Posts: 4,544 Images: 7	Having backpacked with years of eliminating cardboard and all other packaging due to it's bulk it's not hard to make it work. Cardboard really adds nothing except bulk. A strong freezer style baggie will be stronger than any cardboard box. They take a lot of punishment. Vaccum bags sound even better as they are totally water tight too. You might try a system of plastic crates and boxes to group the bags in. You might also look at making dividers for lockers that organize the space easier for loose bags. Hefty makes a resealable 2 1/2 gallon bag with a plastic slider you could put small baggies inside. I would go with premeasured portions if you can too. The resealable vaccum canisters also sound good for daily access backed up with refills from sealed plastic bags. I would also suggest Sanford "Sharpie" permanent markers to label everything too. They write on baggies better than anything. Color codes and all sorts of ideas come to mind as well. A map of all the storage onboard to help you find things seems like a good idea too. If you take two full paper grocery bags and throw out all the packaging you end up with about 3/4 of a bag of food. __________________ Paul Blais s/v Bright Eyes Gozzard 36 37 15.7 N 76 28.9 W

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