Plastic Free July Day 10: Food Storage

reusable bowl cover plastic free

(Picture credit: Ambatalia)

(Back to the challenge summary)

Madison, from Zero Waste California, wrote this blog post: there's everything you need to know about food storage!

Globally, we have become very wrapped up in our addiction with plastic wrap, AKA saran wrap. From food storage to shipping packages, plastic wrap has become a quick convenience that is suffocating the planet.

plastic wrap pollution

The Facts about Plastic Wrap

Plastic wrap contains both BPA and phthalates, chemicals that are endocrine disruptors that have been banned from children’s toys. Plastic wrap also contains Diethylhydroxylamine or DEHA, a toxin that causes liver tumors in laboratory mice.  According to the National Center for Health Research, “Consumers Union tested plastic-wrapped foods and found DEHA levels higher than what is recommended and even permitted by European advisory committees and regulatory agencies.” (Source:http://www.center4research.org/)

Even BPA and phthalates-free plastic wrap contains toxins which are laches into your food, especially fatty foods like cheese, or foods microwaved in plastic wrap.

Here’s a deeper look on chemical exposure from plastic wrap

 What about "Multi-Use" plastic containers?

 ikea plastic food storage

While still better than single-use plastics, these flimsy microwave and freezer "safe" containers are cheap, made of harmful plastic, and often only get used once. It's unlikely someone will take the time to wash these containers versus throwing them away. While considered recyclable, these plastics will break down over time and leach chemicals into the food they store. Just because something is labeled as microwave safe only means it is not expected to melt in the microwave. Freezer safe only implies that the plastic is not expected to break when frozen.

Unfortunately, even washing these containers on the top rack of the dishwasher causes them to degrade over time.

Tin, Aluminum Foil

aluminum foil disposable 

This lightweight foil has been a storage staple for decades. Even though used tin foil is recyclable by Recology in the Bay Area, metals manufacturing requires lots of water and energy. Even recycling requires water and energy. That's why we recommend you Reduce, Refuse, Rot and Reuse before you Recycle!

Reusable Plastic Free Alternatives 

Make your own beeswax wrap!

Also, many companies are selling their own styles of sustainable food covers and wraps, like Ambatalia who designs and makes ecological textile products to help you live a more sustainable life.

Here's is a beeswax wraps brand I have been using

 beeswax wrap plastic free

(Picture credit: Beeswrap)

However, the best methods of plastic-free food storage starts at the store, by avoiding plastic packaging from the very beginning!

The best way to do this is by shopping in the bulk aisle of your grocery store. Don't worry Fillgood.co and I have an entire day dedicated to Bulk Food coming up this week!. Many whole foods and co-ops have a bulk section, it looks like this:

bulk food store plastic free zero waste

More tips on bulk food shopping coming up THIS WEEK!

But the key is to avoid using their plastic bags AT ALL COSTS! Bring your own reusable totes, mason jars or other containers. Simply weigh the container or bag on the provided scale prior to filling it, and have the cashier TARE that weight at the cash register.

plastic free kitchen food storage

For storage at home, I prefer glass jars. Mason jars, pickle jars, they all work great. Thrift stores are gold mines for finding awesome glass jar storage. As you can see, I haven't completely worked my plastic out of my pantry yet. There are still some plastic spice jars over there. But that's part of the zero waste process. It takes time, but if you are persistent it is doable. Before you know it, you house will be completely free of single-use plastic!

Now for zero waste food storage hacks!

1.) Storing produce is a mix of science and art in this household. Here are some tips I've found to work: Storing Produce

2.) When you have a good amount of vegetables to use up at the end of the week, soup is a great way to avoid wasting any produce. The best thing is, you don't have to eat the soup right away. Sunday soup is a nice guy, he's always there when you need him!

Cool the soup or stew to room temperature and freeze in a air tight container. Soup can be kept frozen for several months. What a great way to reduce your food waste! And you'll always have a nice warm bowl of soup on a rainy day! 

Check out my Sunday Soup Recipe for specifics. This also works for sauces!

soup leftover veggies zero waste

 3.) Did you know you can freeze herbs in you favorite cooking oil to use later? Either for greasing up pans, to flavoring fried potatoes, soups, stews, and so many other uses!

Simply chop them up, separate (or be extra fancy and mix some herb combinations) into an old ice cube tray, add the oil, and freeze. *NOTE* I just filled the oil enough to cover the herbs, which was less than half way full!

**This idea was inspired by Eco Granny, who has some seriously awesome zero waste recipes and ideas on her site!

zero waste oils herbs recipe 

 

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