How To Give Your Costco Croissant Container A Second Life

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If you frequently purchase croissants from Costco's bakery section, you've probably ended up with at least a few empty plastic clamshell containers. These clear, semi-hard, stackable cases display many of Costco's popular bakery items and protect delicate croissants from getting squashed. Once you are done with its original contents, you can continue to use a Costco croissant container for carrying, storing, and organizing food. The large clamshell cases are designed to hold a dozen delectable butter croissants, making them spacious enough to carry sandwiches, cakes, or salads (with the dressing stored separately) to your next picnic or cookout. Smaller plastic clamshell containers, like the ones Costco's spring-inspired, strawberries and cream croissants are packed in, also make for great short-term food storage.

Transporting food in leftover Costco packaging is especially simple because you don't have to bother getting the container back. Sending a batch of homemade cookies to a neighbor, or bringing them to work to share with colleagues, are perfect single (re)use opportunities for these clamshells. At home, you can use them to neaten up your fridge or kitchen shelves. Simply wash, dry, and store bagged produce, like grapes, cherries, tomatoes, and more, in these stackable containers. Clamshells are also particularly useful for storing salad leaves, herbs, and microgreens. The hard shell protects the greens from getting bruised, and a lining of paper towels helps absorb excess moisture. You can even use them for meal prep or storing leftover portions of food you plan to consume in the next few days.

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While Costco's croissant containers are great to reuse a few times, you should discard them eventually, especially if you see the clear plastic turning cloudy. Over time, plastic degrades from repeated use, increasing the danger of leaching chemicals into food that comes in contact with it. Just as is the case with reused takeout containers, reheating food in clamshells can release harmful chemicals. You should also avoid storing hot foods inside them or placing them near heat sources (like the stove) or under direct sunlight for extended periods. While some plastics are sturdier than others, there still isn't conclusive research on the effects of heat on various chemicals within plastics, so it's best to err on the side of caution.

Apart from heat, oils and acids can also have an adverse effect on plastic. Foods that contain a lot of grease or citrus (like cut oranges or tomato sauce) shouldn't come into contact with the container. Consider storing rich pasta dishes or curry leftovers in a glass dish instead.

When reusing Costco clamshells, it's also best to limit a container to one particular task. This helps keep track of how long you've been using the container. It also reduces instances of strong-smelling foods transferring their odors, which plastic has the tendency to absorb. For example, if you're using a container to store herbs, it's best not to subsequently use it for baked items, lest you end up getting a taste of cilantro in your sponge cake.