WFMW-Green Drink Boxes

We have used Rubbermaid litterless juice boxes in the kids’ lunches for years. They are handy, don’t leak, and cheaper than repeatedly buying Capri Sun or the like. Also, I can fill them with my choice of beverage for the kids, which for the most part is water.

They come with a rigid plastic straw. The problem is, it inevitably gets lost somehow or another. You can order replacements from Rubbermaid, but I never did. I either purchased a new box, or just sent it without the straw, which worked as long as they tipped it up like a sippy cup. Not the greatest for “big” kids.

I recently discovered that I can replace the straw with a regular plastic drinking straw. We always have them in the house. Some are too wide and won’t work, but these, which I get at Walmart, have a good snug fit.

The lid of the juice box has a thing (didn’t know what to call it) where the original straw attached.

Just slide the disposable straw on, and trim the bottom of the straw at an angle to fit into the box. (You will actually trim off the bendy end, so technically you're trimming the top of the straw. But let's not get picky.)

But wait, this is the best part. Look what else I discovered. Disposable straws will survive in the dishwasher! I just slip the whole contraption over one of the prongs on the top shelf. I’ve done it numerous times with the same straw. Which means they are only eventually disposable* (again, a technicality). Which also means I can do the same thing with full-length straws that have been used in the regular way. I’m reusing, and reducing my consumption of an admittedly less-than-green a product.

* "eventually disposable" made me think of Miracle Max in The Princess Bride saying that Westley was only " mostly dead".

It’s frugal, it’s environmentally friendlier, and it Works for Me! Visit We Are THAT Family for more great ideas!