In recent years there has been more light shed on how exposing our food and ourselves to plastic is unsafe as well as bad for the environment. Plastic can be found in so many of our kitchen or household items including plates, bowls, plastic wrap, water bottles, bags, cutlery and the list goes on.
Studies have found that certain chemicals in plastic can leach out and into the food and beverages we consume. Some of these chemicals have been linked to health problems such as cancer, metabolic disorders (including obesity) and reduced fertility to name a few.
Checkout these 3 Non Toxic and Eco-Friendly Swaps for Plastic Free Food Storage!
1. Swap Tupperware for Glassware
A few years ago we decided to make the switch from plastic Tupperware to
glassware in an effort to minimize toxins for our health. Plastic containers are synthetic and made with chemicals such as BPA and PVC (phthalates) and it
degrades over time with use. Plastic containers can release these toxic chemicals into our
food.
Whereas, glass is impermeable, non-porous, and
is a natural material. Unlike plastic,
glass can withstand heat from the oven, microwave, and our dishwashers.
Glassware keeps food fresh, doesn’t alter the flavor of stored food (no plastic-y taste!), doesn’t stain, is dishwasher-friendly and is heat safe. They also make great travel containers for everyday lunch, the beach and road trips.
2. Swap Ziplock for silicone bag:
Silicone is a great alternative to plastic and is reusable, heat resistant and dishwasher safe. These food grade
silicone bags come in a variety of sizes and colors and the best part is when they are not in use, they take up much less room to store in a cabinet since they are collapsible. They are sealable similar to a ziplock but instead throwing it away after one use, you can throw them into your dishwasher. Use it to pack snacks, nuts, leftover veggies, and fruit. Many people use these bags as an organizational tool for their fridge! You can even utilize these
silicone bags for non kitchen related items such as a leakproof toiletries travel bag, homemade ice pack, baby utensils holder, you name it.
3. Swap Plastic Wrap for Bees Wax Wraps:
This may seem daunting at first as it's a newer option to the plastic wrap we all have grown up with. Don't let this steer you away from trying them because these bees wax wraps are reusable, biodegradable and made from organic cotton and beeswax. It's simple to use since it uses the warmth of your hand to stay wrapped around food and containers. To wash, you would just use a mild dish soap and cold water then allow to air dry. We use these bees wax wraps in place of plastic wrap to cover dishes with food or to wrap food items like vegetables, fruit, fresh herbs, cheese, etc. You can also wrap sandwiches and baked goods for lunches or on the go. Plus they have a variety of beautiful designs which makes them more enticing and fun to use!
Extra Tips!
- Start small! It can be overwhelming so slowly start to cycle out the plastics for healthier options such as glass, silicone or stainless steel. At times, plastic may be the easier or more familiar option but keep in mind that these small swaps can do wonders for our health and are steps to making our homes less toxic.
- In the long run, these swaps are great investments for our health and the environment. They also are affordable since they last a long time and are reusable unlike most plastic.
- If you don’t want to invest in swapping out plastics be mindful of not warming food in plastic containers and not microwaving dishes covered in plastic wrap. Instead transfer the food to one of your glass plates or bowls or heat food on the stovetop or oven.
