Perhaps your kitchen cabinet looks a little like this:
(Wait, who are we kidding? Ours never looked that neatly stacked.) But you get the picture: a zillion little plastic containers you’ve picked up from here and there. Since you’re hard-pressed to find matching tops to most of them, it might be time to kiss these food containers goodbye.
Here’s why….Although plastic containers are certainly convenient, many may contain BPA, or Bisphenol A, which is a chemical that blocks and interferes with our body’s hormones and may cause health concerns (particularly when the plastic is old, scratched or is subjected to heat such as microwaving).
[Bonus: Read about NC State researcher Heather Patisaul’s discoveries on the impacts of BPA and other endocrine disruptors.]
Few of us can eliminate all plastic from our lives, but it’s possible for all of us to reduce our use of plastic — particularly in our diet, which is how most people are exposed to BPA. Here are five food storage alternativeswe found if you’re considering a breakup with plastic:
1. Glass Canning Jars
Tried and true canning jars have been used for years to keep foods fresh and safe and can be used over and over again. They even come in sizes large enough to accommodate salads.
2. Glass Storage Containers
Most setscome with a lid for convenience. These containers are easy-to-find and often affordable. Plus, just toss them in the dishwasher with no worries of the material degrading over time.
3. Silicone Containers
These flexible food holders come in a variety of colors (yes, you can shop for a Wolfpack red option) and many may also be oven-safe.
4. Cloth Food Sacks
Great for sandwiches and other dry snacks, you can make your own if you have basic sewing skills (they are available for sale in many stores in case sewing isn’t your thing).
5. Stainless Steel
If it’s good enough to cook food in, then it’s good enough to store food as well. Transfer your leftovers from your stainless steel cooking pots/pans into a stainless steel storage container.Big bonus: like plastic containers, you can’t break this. Style bonus: we think they look cool.
Feature Image Credit: CaptainCinema via Flickr
FAQs
Paper: Paper boxes are a great alternative to plastic packaging. Paper is also cheap, lightweight, and flexible—just like plastic while also being reusable, recyclable, and biodegradable. Cardboard: Cardboard boxes are another great alternative to plastic packaging.
What is the most sustainable food packaging? ›
Examples of sustainable food packaging are:
- Paper and card – These are organic materials which are friendly to the environment. ...
- Kraft paper – This material is made from wood pulp, meaning the materials used to make kraft paper are plant based and therefore are very friendly to the environment.
Paper: Paper boxes are a great alternative to plastic packaging. Paper is also cheap, lightweight, and flexible—just like plastic while also being reusable, recyclable, and biodegradable. Cardboard: Cardboard boxes are another great alternative to plastic packaging.
How to replace plastic food containers? ›
Glass containers are the best alternative to plastic. It is long-lasting when handled with care, easy to clean, fully recyclable, and poses no chemical risk to your body. Glass is inert, meaning it does not change or react in response to heat and it can be used safely in the microwave, oven, and dishwasher.
What is eco-friendly food containers? ›
Eco-friendly food packaging often utilizes sustainable bioplastics and plant-based extracts like wheat, wood, and bamboo. These materials are biodegradable, reusable, and devoid of harmful chemicals commonly found in traditional plastic packaging.
What is the healthiest container to store food in? ›
If chemicals in plastic are a concern, we recommend choosing glass, silicone or stainless steel instead. We also recommend transferring food out of the plastic container and into a microwave- or oven-safe dish before heating.
How to avoid plastic food packaging? ›
Pick up butter in cardboard and foil, not the ones in plastic containers. Choose ice-cream in carton containers instead of the ones in plastics. Choose food in cans or jars because metal and glass can be recycled. Try shopping at farmers' markets or zero-waste stores.
What is the most eco-friendly packaging? ›
Compostable. Compostable packaging is a form of packaging that's grown in popularity because it breaks down and leaves no harmful chemicals behind. Corn, sugar cane, carrot, and beets are the most common plant-based materials from which compostable packaging is made.
What packaging is not sustainable? ›
Plastics are made from fossil fuels which is clearly a non-renewable source. It is estimated that 4% of the world's oil production is used as feedstock to make plastics, so this means plastic is often viewed as poor material in terms of renewability and sustainability.
What will replace plastic in the future? ›
Replacing plastic food packaging and take out containers with biodegradable alternatives could divert waste destroying the natural habitat. In 2022, a group of scientists developed a spray on biodegradable food covering that rinses off with water. The coating could replace plastic packaging used to coat produce.
Cardboard packaging
Cardboard is made from wood, a renewable resource. It is also entirely biodegradable, when manufactured with vegetable-based inks and natural glue. In some cases, cardboard packaging can even be made from recycled materials, further reducing its environmental impact.
What is the new material to replace plastic? ›
Innovative materials like mushroom packaging, seaweed packaging, PLA plastics, bagasse packaging, and chitosan-based films offer eco-friendly alternatives to conventional plastics, contributing to reducing plastic waste.
What is the healthiest material for food containers? ›
Glass is a safe, non-toxic material that will not leach chemicals into your food. It's also easy to clean and can be reused over and over again. When choosing glass containers, be sure to select ones that are tempered or heat-resistant. Glass containers with bamboo lids are a great option.
What are people using instead of Tupperware? ›
Here's a quick guide to alternatives like glass, stainless steel, and silicone containers that are better for both you and the environment: Glass Containers: Recyclable, durable, and safe for various temperatures. Stainless Steel Containers: Strong, long-lasting, and entirely recyclable.
