Choosing glass meals storage containers over plastic variations is one easy solution to cut back your personal plastic consumption. Higher but, the decide can also additionally profit your well being (to not point out amplify your fridge shelfie objectives and even encourage you to complete your leftovers).
Forward, meals security professional Trevor Craig, company director of technical coaching and consulting at Microbac Laboratories, unpacks when and why it’s ultimate to retailer your meals in glass containers. Plus: greatest practices and recommendation on navigating plastic containers when it’s unavoidable or a extra viable answer in your funds and meals storage wants, all with out reducing corners in your well being within the course of.
3 the explanation why glass containers are optimum for (most) meals storage
1. Glass safely accommodates excessive and low temperatures
Craig explains that tumbler is usually safer for a large temperature vary. Not like plastic, glass can “get sizzling or chilly, keep its form, and keep away from any breakdown that would leach dangerous chemical substances,” he shares. For these causes, glass containers are perfect for protected, long-term meals storage in freezers. Glass also can stand up to scorching sizzling temps within the dishwasher, which leads us to the following perk.
2. Glass is extra sanitary
You understand how it is unattainable to get that marinara sauce tinge out of your plastic containers? Plastic is accountable right here, as a result of it is porous. “Glass is non-porous, so it’s simpler to wash. This implies there are much less stains but in addition much less locations for meals and micro organism to get into that may be tough to wash,” Craig explains.
Plastic, quite the opposite, presents obstacles on the cleanliness entrance. As Kate Reeder, MCN, RDN, LDN, beforehand advised Effectively+Good, plastic meals storage can turn out to be a literal breeding floor for micro organism to kind. “Plastic is a porous materials, which means that it really has tremendous tiny holes in it, which permit particles to go by way of and be absorbed,” she warned. Furthermore, Trevor provides that plastic has a better tendency to retain odors, which—to place it modestly—is way from savory.
3. Glass has an extended lifespan
Though glass meals storage containers are likely to value greater than plastic alternate options, they’re typically a greater funding in your meals high quality, well being, and cost-per-use. “Glass lasts longer and may be reused and recycled,” says Craig. “That isn’t all the time the case with plastic since it might probably lose form, inflicting cracking or flaking and must be disposed of extra usually.” After all, you’ll have to deal with your glass gently to keep away from breakage. But when you are able to do so, you’ll be able to anticipate to maximise your funding over the long term in comparison with the choice—all of the whereas doing all your half to not add extra (future) plastic waste into the ecosystem.
FYIs and security suggestions for plastic meals storage containers
Whereas glass meals storage has some clear benefits, chances are high you’ll be able to’t (and received’t) use them for any and each meals storage occasion. “Generally glass is generally safer however doesn’t work for everybody or each scenario,” says Craig. “It usually prices extra, isn’t precisely childproof, and may be broken as effectively. It may also be heavy and never simple for on-the-go use like tenting, infants and kids, or every day lunches.”
If and when it’s extra sensible to retailer and/or transport your meals in plastic containers, heed Craig’s insights to make sure you’re utilizing one of the best sort of plastic. “PET or PETE (polyethylene terephthalate), HDPE or LDPE (high and low density polyethylene), and PP (polypropylene) are all protected for meals,” he shares. “Typically, yow will discover this info on the underside of the container or on the packaging.” Furthermore, he strongly advises utilizing plasticware that’s clearly marked as BPA-free. (BPA, a chemical used to harden plastic and line meals cans, is an endocrine disruptor linked to varied well being problems together with early puberty, breast most cancers, and coronary heart and metabolic points.)
As well as, Craig warns that not all plastics are designed for reuse. This consists of many takeout and meals supply plastic containers, that are usually designed for one use solely and aren’t as sturdy because the plastic containers you’d buy for longevity. (This, too, extends to single-use plastic water bottles—the fabric of which, as Craig beforehand defined, “can break down and seep harmful chemical substances” when reused.) “Many extra are usually not microwave-, dishwasher-, or freezer-safe, and none are oven-safe,” he explains. “Total, consider meals containers as particular plastic designed for short-term storage (days or perhaps weeks)—not single-use plastic [items] like wraps, utensils, or bottles.”
On a parting notice, he advises tossing your plasticware as quickly because it’s broken—i.e., scratched, warped, discolored, smelly, and so forth. “While you’re throwing it away, look into your native recycling legal guidelines to see if it may be recycled, as many sorts of plastic can’t be,” he provides. (Glass, alternatively, may be recycled endlessly, presenting one more perk of this meals storage answer.)
