Comments on: Empty Containers In the Refrigerator, Why?

By: Margot

Margot — Wed, 26 May 2010 04:11:37 +0000

My husband not only leaves almost empty and empty containers in the frige….He also does this with other products, such as his lotion, aftershave products, etc. I don’t think he is leaving a message for me because these are products he exclusively uses. Additionally, he likes to do most of the grocery shopping.

I counted 5 bottles of the same brand of lotion, one new, and the rest used to varying degrees. One was empty. I’m beginning to think this is some type of psychosis with not being able to throw things way. Has anyone heard of this?

By: Laura J

Laura J — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:15:20 +0000

I asked my (now ex) husband why he put empty containers in the fridge, and he explained that it was his way of letting me know I needed to put that item on the shopping list. Because, you see, he wouldn’t remember to tell me we were out of salsa, but if I found the empty container, then I would know.

This would have made some guy-world kind of logic except that the shopping list in question was kept ON the very door he had to open to put the empty container back. And there was a pen right next to the list. And it was at eye level so that he couldn’t miss it. However, in guy-world, putting the container back in the fridge is easier than making a note. Oh, wait, easier than making a note AND putting the container in the trash . . . what was I thinking?

By: Gail

Gail — Wed, 28 May 2008 23:40:07 +0000

My favorite is the 14 drops of milk in the (NOT EMPTY, YET STRANGELY NOT ACTUALLY USEFUL) carton. Because then you would have to drink another mouthful, rinse the carton and put it in recycling.

Michael’s theory about the trash smelling does have some validity -maybe he could get a refrigerated trash can. Our just take the trash out for the love of Pete. If your fridge looks empty get some of that display food – it will be just as edible as the empty containers.

By: compact refrigerator

compact refrigerator — Mon, 05 May 2008 20:16:52 +0000

compact refrigerator…

I found your site on technorati and read a few of your other posts. Keep up the good work. I just added your RSS feed to my Google News Reader. Looking forward to reading more from you….

By: Michael

Michael — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 23:12:58 +0000

I’m single and in my thirties and the women in my life (mom/girlfriend) constantly ask about this.

My general reason is that I hate having to take out the trash when it isn’t full simply because it smells, Food containers always have a little bit of food left in them and when the get taken out of the fridge the food will start to break down.

The best example is that of a milk carton. I can always tell if I have thrown one away as you can smell a bit of spoiled milk wafting up from the trash. It’s easier to just leave the carton in the fridge till I clean it out and take down all the garbage from the fridge right then and there.

It’s not like it is a problem in the fridge. (this may have something to do with the fact that my fridge is always pretty empty – another disincentive to throw things away, whenever I throw away everything empty or expired – I end up with an unnaturally empty fridge)