1. Glass Milk Bottles
Milk in the ’70s often still came in thick glass bottles delivered to your door or stacked in the dairy aisle. They were sturdy and reusable, with cardboard or foil caps that had to be pried off, sometimes leaving a bit of foil stuck to the rim. Carrying one of those heavy bottles home was a workout, but pouring it out felt fresher and more special than today’s plastic jugs.
You always knew when the milkman had come by because those clinking bottles would be waiting in their little crate by the door. Returning the empties for reuse was just part of the routine, and nobody thought twice about it. It was heavier, yes, but there was a certain charm to seeing that glass gleam in the fridge.
2. Metal Ice Cube Trays
Frozen treats and drinks were made possible with the trusty metal ice cube tray, usually aluminum. They had that tricky lever you’d pull to release the cubes, and it was always a little noisy when the ice cracked free. Kids would fight over who got to work the lever, though sometimes it would stick and take two hands to budge.
Unlike today’s flexible plastic trays or ice dispensers, these had a permanent place in the freezer door. They felt cold to the touch, sometimes uncomfortably so, but you never forgot the satisfaction of hearing the cubes clatter loose. They were awkward, but boy, did they do the job.
3. Cardboard Cartons for Soda
Before the dominance of plastic bottles, soda was sold in glass bottles carried in thick cardboard cartons. These six-packs were bulky, and the cardboard often got soggy if you accidentally set it on a wet counter. But there was something about pulling one of those glass bottles out, prying off the cap, and hearing that fizz that made the whole ritual fun.
The bottles were reused, returned to the store, and stacked behind the counter. You might remember the clink of carrying a case into the house, hoping you would not drop one. It was packaging that felt heavy and maybe inconvenient, but it had a certain old-fashioned excitement to it.
4. Foil-Wrapped Butter Sticks
Butter was often wrapped in simple foil paper, with a thin wax-paper box to hold it all together. No plastic tubs or resealable packaging here—just a shiny wrapper you folded back carefully. The sticks had those little tablespoon markings, but they always seemed to fade after the first cut.
It was a little messier, especially if you left it out too long and it softened. Still, peeling back the foil always felt like unwrapping a treat, even though it was just butter. It was an everyday staple with a touch of old-school charm.
5. Cereal in Wax Paper Bags
Cereal boxes in the ’70s almost always held their contents in stiff wax paper bags. You had to tear the top open just right or it would rip all the way down, spilling flakes everywhere. Pouring a bowl of Corn Flakes or Cap’n Crunch was a whole sensory experience, from the sound of the crinkle to the smell when you first opened the bag.
Unlike today’s resealable options, these bags never quite closed again once opened. Moms might use a clothespin or tuck the flap back into the box to keep things fresh. It was imperfect, but somehow that morning routine felt complete with the snap of wax paper.
6. Coffee in Metal Tins
Coffee came in big, sturdy metal cans that you opened with a key-like tool or sometimes just a can opener. Pulling off that sealed metal lid released an aroma that filled the kitchen instantly. Those cans were heavy and took up a good bit of space on the shelf.
They were useful long after the coffee was gone, often repurposed to hold nails, buttons, or even spare change. Every garage or basement seemed to have one or two rattling around. Plastic tubs may be practical, but they will never match the utility of those trusty tins.
7. Margarine Tubs for Everything
Margarine was one of the first spreads to come in reusable plastic tubs, and once emptied, they were too “useful” to throw away. Every family had a stack of them filled with leftovers, buttons, or craft supplies. Opening one at Grandma’s house was always a gamble—you might find butter, but you might just as easily find soup.
They were colorful and sturdy, making them the perfect multi-use container. Even though they were technically single-use, it never worked out that way. You could spot those margarine tubs in every fridge, cupboard, and garage across the neighborhood.
8. Potato Chips in Metal Tins
Some brands of potato chips, like Charles Chips, came delivered in large metal tins instead of bags. These tins were refillable, with the delivery service bringing you a fresh supply right to your door. Opening one felt like a special occasion, the kind of thing you brought out for guests or family gatherings.
The chips inside were crisp and fresh, and when the tin was empty, it became a storage container for anything from toys to sewing supplies. They were big, colorful, and impossible to forget once you had one. Today’s crinkly plastic bags just do not have the same magic.
9. TV Dinners in Foil Trays
Frozen TV dinners were served in divided aluminum trays, meant to be popped right into the oven. The foil top had to be peeled back carefully, and if you forgot, it crisped up into an odd, sometimes burnt layer. Everyone remembers the smell of Salisbury steak or turkey with mashed potatoes heating up in those trays.
Unlike microwavable plastic containers, these trays were hot and sometimes dangerous to handle. But sliding one onto a TV tray table felt like a real event, especially when paired with a favorite show. It was packaging that made the meal feel both futuristic and homey at the same time.
10. Peanut Butter in Glass Jars
Peanut butter brands like Jif and Skippy often came in sturdy glass jars with metal lids. Opening one sometimes meant struggling with a lid stuck tight with a bit of oil. Once inside, that smooth peanut butter had a shine you do not see much anymore.
The jars were often reused around the house, much like coffee tins, for storage or even drinking glasses once the labels were peeled off. They had a weight and sturdiness that made them feel reliable. It was everyday packaging that always found a second life.
11. Detergent in Cardboard Boxes
Laundry detergent was sold almost exclusively in large cardboard boxes, often with a metal spout on the side for pouring. They were heavy and not very practical if they got wet, but everyone knew the smell of freshly opened powder. Carrying one up the stairs was no small feat.
Sometimes the boxes included coupons or even small promotional prizes tucked inside. The packaging was a bit messy, with powder dust clinging to the edges, but it was part of the household routine. Plastic bottles of liquid detergent may be tidy, but they lack the nostalgic charm.
12. Soda Cans with Pull Tabs
Before the stay-on tab we have today, soda cans had pull-off aluminum tabs that you completely removed. Those little rings often ended up on the ground or saved in jars as collectibles. Kids even used them to make chains or necklaces.
They were a safety hazard, sure, but nobody thought about it back then. Cracking open a cold can and hearing that sharp hiss was always exciting. The pull tabs are long gone, but they live on in the memories of every picnic and backyard barbecue of the ’70s.