Goodbye Plastic, Hello Glass!
Over the last few years, I have been gradually culling all the plastic storage containers around our kitchen and replacing them with glass. Not just for health reasons, but for environmentally-friendly reasons.
Did you know that plastic can contain small molecules that can tranfer into food it is in contact with? Some plastics are endocrine disruptors, meaning they can mimic the body’s natural hormones and cause a range of health problems.
The Choice website advises against two particular types of plastics – polycarbonate (BPA – shown as number 7 on the bottom of plastic containers) and PVC (shown as number 3 on the bottom of plastic containers). They should be avoided at all costs, particularly for babies and children.
Have you ever noticed that food stored in plastic can take on a plasticy taste and smell? That’s a warning sign to me!
We are also avoiding plastic as much as we can for environmentally-friendly reasons. Put simply:
* Plastic will be hanging around in landfills for a very long time.
* Recycling plastic is expensive and inefficient.
* Manufacturing of plastic makes a huge, negative impact on our environment.
* Plastic can end up as litter or in our sea harming sealife or in our waterways, leaching out toxins.
How we store in glass:
* I’ve sourced glass storage jars from the op shop and Ikea to store our dry food in. I also like Maxwell and Williams brand of glass jars as they are also well priced (like the bamboo and glass ones pictured). You can get them in most good kitchen shops or online here.
* Glass storage containers like Glass Lock (this brand is air tight) are great for storing food in the fridge or freezer. I have some Pyrex but I don’t recommend as the plastic lids break and crack over time.
* A glass dish or bowl with a plate on top (instead of cling wrap) to stop the food drying out in the fridge.
* Recyling glass jars. I put anything and everything in glass jars, from vege sticks to jam to bircher muesli to leftover casserole!
Here is some pumpkin soup I made and stored in glass jars. I freeze in these jars as well. To do it safely, don’t fill all the way to the top, allow some room for expansion and don’t screw the lids on all the way until the soup is fully frozen. You could put any food in these jars.
This is how I defrost food in glass jars (if you have forgotten to defrost overnight in the fridge!). Put the jar straight from the freezer into a saucepan of cold water and put the heat on a the lowest setting. It doesn’t take long for the food to defrost enough to get out of the jar and pop it into the saucepan to heat up!
It’s also important to never, ever heat up food in plastic or use plastic wrap in the microwave. Heating causes the toxins to leach out. Cooking safely and without toxins is a whole other blog post, so I will talk about that soon!
Stainless steel and ceramic are also safe storage options for food, but I prefer to use mostly glass as it is the cheapest option!
What to do with all those plastic containers?
Some of them went to the charity shop, some went downstairs to the man area for storing man things, some went into the kids’ rooms for storing pens, craft items, bits and bobs, some are in the bathroom for storage. Be creative. Just use them for things other than food!
Do something fantastic, ditch the plastic!
Do you have any more healthy, environmentally friendly storage tips for us?
You might also like to read:
I not long ago passed my glass jars to my cousin for her own honey, replaced them with Tupperware storage thingys to fit more into my cupboard, and for the freezer in making life easier and organized. Did I just make a big mistake?!
Well, Lea I would check out Tupperware to see if it contains any of the ‘bad’ plastics. Just make sure you never heat anything in it!
Tupperware have stated that some of their products do contain BPA, but they won’t disclose which ones.
I agree totally with this post ! there are some plastic containers that do not leak ( as much??). Check the triangle and the number on the bottom of them, and compare with the posted list – still I do not trust them !!. I would never use plastic containers for any heated/hot/still warm foods! Also do not leave plastic water bottles in your car in th e heat they certainly leak toxins. I also always collect the jam/marmalade glasses and reuse them!
I agree – never use plastic water bottles – stainless steel all the way!
We re-use our glass peanut butter jars for just about everything. They’re a great size for portioning leftovers, and make nice drinking glasses as well.
Once you start recycling and upcycling, the possibilities are endless ! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Are you concerned about the BPA lining the glass jar lids at all? It stops me buying many products in glass jars, in the first place.
It’s crazy, once you start looking, the toxic trail never ends!
I know! It’s pretty hard to avoid everything isn’t it? We don’t eat a lot of processed foods, including jars as this seems to be the only way to avoid it!
Hate plastic..always have!
Great read 🙂 .Most of the ones I have for kids lunch boxes are a number 5 however still going to try find an alternative for kids lunch bix snacks (any ideas ?)
The other thing I would like to look into is chemicals they use on fabrics.I have two nice soft cuddly blankets on the kids bed and they still smell a wee bit of chemical kinda like diesel ,even after airing outside for a week and washing twice :0 I prob should just throw away but I cant bring myself too 🙁
Oh that’s no good!! I had a kids underlay thing like that and once I got rid of it my daughter was much better at sleeping! Try http://www.kiddieconcepts.com.au for some stainless and BPA free plastic lunchboxes
Hi,I tried to click on pyrex containers to see what they were but it says item no longer available. Im wanting to find a container to freeze food in.
Will try to update the link – also take a look at the stainless containers at https://t.cfjump.com/8750/t/14846
Whats your suggestion on getting the food smells out of glass jars, eg a tomato/passata sauce jar?! I’ve started keeping them but find I can still smell the original food in them – a little bit off putting ;P
I use hot water a generous glug of white vinegar and a few dish-washing liquid squirts for mine, works with some things but not enough with things that store really pungent things like garlic. just let it soak, lid on, upside down for a few days; then wash as normal. it’s quite good at removing dried gunk like milk. 🙂
bicarb and water overnight usually does the trick!
I am worried the about s/s lunchboxes not returning from school.
I saw the earth wraps but same deal , it not lost they would be taken I bet.
So are BPA lunchboxes ok for sandwiches & snacks.
Hey Trish, yes you make a good point! My kids are a bit older and more posessive of their things! Well some say yes and some say no, it’s still up in the air, but BPA free is better than the ones with BPA! Just don’t heat it them, whatever you do!
My kids have the wraps and s/s containers and we always get them home…just label with their name and you can’t go wrong :0)
I have been selling my Tupperware as I replace it with glass. The extra money is a bonus!
brilliant idea – and it sells well!
Could you do a link on aluminium in pans please. My daughter asked me if the sparkly bits in her new pans was aluminium. She spent a fortune on them. I think it is, do you?
I don’t know Katrina – the best thing to do would be to contact the manufacturer and ask them. 🙂