home - food storage

What should you do when the Tupperware party's over?

Submitted by tmeronek on Thu, 09/06/2007 - 2:01am.
The Bite:
Switch to better food storage. Disposable containers are piling up in landfills faster than you can say "ziplock," and toxins in plastic are no party. Reduce your daily polymer intake by storing lunches and leftovers in safer materials.
The Benefits: 
  • Happy hormones. Some plastics, such as PVC (look for #3 inside the recycle symbol on the container) and polystyrene (#6), contain hormone disruptors and other nasty chems that can leach into food.
  • Longer lasting alternatives. Ceramic and glass containers are the last to leave the party, since they don't warp or stain like plastic.
  • Less trash. Disposable plastic baggies can take 1,000 years to decompose.
  • Safe zapping. Doctors recommend that you don't microwave plastic; ceramic and glass go from fridge to microwave and back again without leaching toxins.
Personally Speaking: 
Jen's pilfered half of her mom's Pyrex collection over the years, and uses the dishes for both baking and storing.
Wanna Try: 
  • Oggi Canister Set - set of four white ceramic and stainless-steel canisters, with locking tops and stainless spoons to boot ($25).
  • Anchor Hocking Glass Storage Dishes - oven- and micro- safe containers in three sizes; also available at Bed Bath & Beyond ($10-$13).
  • Ball Canning Jars - pint-size, old-school mason jars; also available in four other sizes ($11/12).
  • Wrap-N-Mat - reusable sandwich wraps made with less-toxic plastic that double as placemats ($7).
  • Co-op America - a short but comprehensive article on staying safe while using plastics.
Related Tips: 
The Food Wrap Tip

Related Blog Post: Just Because It’s There

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