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

09.06.2007

Submitted by tmeronek on Thu, 09/06/2007 - 1:01am.
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.

Cocktail Fact

In 1954, Tupperware Party originator Brownie Wise was the first woman to grace the cover of Business Week.

Bang For The Bite

Longer-lasting and healthier for you, alternatives to plastic are the better Biter option, but you gotta be a little more careful since they're breakable.

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Anonymous  on August 02, 2009 at 08:02 PM 1
The Environmental Working Group has said that standard canning jars typically have BPA in the lining of the metal covers, so I plan to phase out my use of canning jars for liquid storage. I found glass jars with cork covers at Greenfeet.com. One has a 16 ounce capacity. If you want something larger for pasta, flour, etc, they have a glass jar that has a 6 liter capacity. See Greenfeet’s Glass Food Storage section. I also found some freezable, stackable glass storage containers at Greenfeet (brand: Frigoverre). There are 3 in a set and the largest one in the set is much larger than the largest one in the Pyrex glass food storage set. The containers I got were square, which I think is more space-efficient than the round ones; I really need every inch of space in my fridge and freezer. The covers are # 4 plastic.
WilliamSmith  on August 12, 2009 at 01:52 AM 2
Reduce your daily polymer intake by storing lunches and leftovers in safer materials. PhD finance | Online Education degree | Online Bachelor degrees
Smith  on August 12, 2009 at 01:52 AM 3
Thanks for sharing this great article! Affordable degree | Information Technology degree
zz  on November 12, 2009 at 09:28 AM 4
Jen's pilfered half of her mom's Pyrex collection over the years, and uses the dishes for both baking and storing. adventure games games

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