Why Stock Up on Paper and Plastic Items

In addition to food, I like to have a good stock of paper and plastic products for emergencies. It’s common during disasters to be without running water, power to cook and the scheduled trash pickup, so the list of items below can be useful. Also, some paper items can be burned in a camp fire to reduce your trash buildup during a disaster, but remember not to burn plastic, or burn items if there is any danger of explosion.

It is usually cheaper to buy these items in bulk, but if you don’t have storage room perhaps gather at least a 2-week supply. You can find these items at a decent price at Costco or Sam’s Club. But remember EVERYTHING at warehouse club stores is not inexpensive. Stick to your list while shopping there. Costco sends me a coupon book each month, and I look it over for items I want to stock up on.

I like to break up my future shopping purchases into groups of how often I will purchase them. That helps me know how much to get. The supply amounts listed below are the least expensive way for me to buy these items, but it doesn’t mean you have to buy a year’s supply of plastic utensils, etc.

If you are tight on space, you could split some items with a friend to save money and space.

(Prices listed are from Sam’s Club.)