Plastic buckets

Almost forgot.

While shopping for dinner, stopped at the bakery and asked if they had any plastic buckets they were tossing out. Walked away with 8 of them. Got 3 the other day.

Seems during the winter holidays may be the best time to be searching for plastic buckets. Number of reasons.

Lots of chain grocery stores have taken to buying things in plastic buckets. This lets them hire and pay less skilled workers. It allows them to offer wider variety. The slightly increased cost of packaging is offset by lower waste and utilities. And lastly it maintains more consistency of products across the entire chain.

During the holidays, people buy more from delis and restaurants than almost any other time of year. So more plastic buckets get used.

Meanwhile, most people only think of and seek out plastic buckets when the need arises. That need increases in the spring and summer. So competition for a shorter supply lessens the odds that you'll be at the right place at the right time to get them. Remember that you also compete with teens doing car washes, people doing renovations and many other people standing in that same line.

So if you have use of plastic buckets (if you garden, you have use of them) this is the time to ask for them. You may have to store them until spring but they'll be there when you need them. Otherwise good luck!