It is a known fact that plastic food containers pose a threat to both human life and the survival of the planet. Plastics are harmful to us, and the upcoming generations are also susceptible to physical and hormonal disorders.
You may want to consider alternate options to eliminate the plastic in your kitchen. Since 2011, when the reality of plastic was revealed, scientists have been working on finding other efficient solutions to use instead of plastic food packaging.
Why Is Plastic Harmful?
Plastic containers are made by using compounds like Bisphenol A and S that are found in the coating of the plastic. They seep into the food from the surface, and a significant amount of microplastic molecules have been discovered in the urine samples of people.
BPA and BPS cause estrogen-mimicking, which leads to hormonal disorders. They are also responsible for difficulties in pregnancy or conception, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes.
It is a pre-established phenomenon that plastics are non-biodegradable materials that can only be recycled and reused. However, not every company is working toward this concept, and landfill sites are increasing, with plastics being the critical element.
What Alternatives Are Available for Us?
To provide you with alternatives to plastic containers for your kitchen, we have listed some popular non-plastic containers these days.
Silicone Bags
The silicon bags are at the top of this list; they are synthesized using silica found in sand. It does not convert into smaller particles like microplastics. The silicone bags are heat resistant and also be used to boil stuff in them. You can use them to freeze food or make space for extra stuff inside a freezer.
The silicone food bags are also leak-proof with zip locks to ensure maximum safety, so you can use them for more than just containing stuff. These bags are reusable, so they can easily be a replacement for traditional plastic lunch boxes.
Glass Containers
Next are the glass containers for keeping cooked food and raw ingredients. They are aesthetically pleasing and give an elegant look to your kitchen. The glass containers in any form, such as typical air-tight jars, lunch boxes, simple containers, or bottles, are viable options that are for sure better than any plastic form food container.
Similarly, many products are available in both plastic cans and glass jars; we suggest that opting for glass jars is the better option. Considering factors such as price, it is evident that glass will cost you more; however, it is a one-time investment because glass jars can be reused. They have a safe-shelf life longer than plastic without shedding any micro molecules.
In earlier years, glass containers were heavy and pricey, making them unpopular. However, now there are new lightweight glass containers at affordable prices that you can add to your kitchen accessories.
Glass containers are one of the best alternatives to plastic containers; they are microwave-safe, reusable, and have no harmful side effects on health. The only disadvantage we can think of is handling glassware; one has to be precautious while using them, so they don’t break and keep them out of children’s reach.
Stainless Steel Containers
Another material for containers that is not precisely new is stainless steel. These containers are better than plastic ones because they are made of safe materials for storing food. In some regard, stainless steel is even better than glass containers. We have listed down the advantages and disadvantages of using steel containers.
Advantages
- A stainless steel container is much more lightweight than glass containers.
- They are user-friendly for all ages; children can use them as lunch boxes or water bottles without any tension of breaking them.
- They are unbreakable; yes, they can deform after regular use of insanely high-flame, but the steel containers do not break if they fall off your hands, so they can be used anywhere to bring food.
- Stove and oven-friendly material. Since stainless steel containers are fire-resistant, you can store food in them and reheat it in the same container. No extra clean utensils are wasted.
- The containers are cleaned after a single wash in the dishwasher and dry quickly. You don’t need extra effort after the dishwasher to scrub off the grease as you would for plastic containers.
Disadvantages
- The stainless steel containers aren’t microwave-friendly.
- They are more expensive than other options on the list.
- They are not transparent or even translucent for a fact. So you have to open the container to check what is stored inside or label it.
Organic Mesh Bags
The last ones on the list are organic mesh bags. These are shopping bags and containers for dry groceries such as vegetables, fruits, bread, and other things. They are better than plastic ones because they do not degrade into microplastics that are harmful to us. The bags can be washed and dried to reuse and are also durable. You can sew them back in case they are torn from somewhere. They are great alternatives to plastic containers.
Wrapping It Up
We can get rid of plastic containers when we have so many other fantastic and safe options to contain our food. You can choose any of the above options according to your feasibility.
