To-Go Ware Food Tin

Anchor Hocking Bake n’ Keep Glass Food Storage Containers

Stainless Steel Food Storage Container

Stainless-Steel Third Pan

Japanese Bento Box made of Cedar and Coated with Urushi – not microwave or dishwasher safe, but they are perfectly safe for food storage.

Food storage containers are fairly green in of themselves because they massively cut down on things like foil and plastic wrap use. Food storage containers; even super cheap, not so cool containers tend to last a long time. That said, there are some greener options than the traditional old school plastic containers most of us grew up with.

Of course you want to avoid containers made of PVC (3), polycarbonate (7), or polystyrene (6). It’s nice when you have a recyclable food container you know. Not to mention you don’t want chemicals leaching into your food. For example, plastic #7 has been shown to leach Bisphenol A (BPA), which in turn has been shown to disrupt hormones. Plastics made from petroleum and natural gas release their chemicals when overheated or melted; which can accidentally happen in a microwave. There are far better choices than plastic anyhow. If you do decide to go with some plastic containers, choose ones with the recycling symbols 1, 2, 4, or 5 and avoid heating them in the microwave (NEVER in the oven).

Best food storage options:

Glass and stainless steel are good food container choices. If you’re going to microwave an item make sure you use glass or lead-free microwave safe ceramic containers. If your glass container comes with a plastic lid, don’t microwave food with the lid on.

Later I’ll post some good green food container choices.

This week we’re looking at green kitchen dishes and cookware. Yesterday we learned about Eco-Friendly Pots & Pans. Today we’ll look at basic dishes – plate, bowls, etc.

Avoid lead: Toxic lead in the human body is very dangerous, and especially so to small children and babies. The FDA does regulate things like lead and cadmium levels in dishes here in the U.S. but they don’t catch everything. To avoid lead dangers in your dishes do the following:

• When you purchase new dishes, see if there’s a registration card offered and use it to sign up for safety notices.
• Never store food in antique dishes.
• Avoid imported ceramic dishes.
• If you like to purchase dishes from thrift stores, or have old dishes around your house, then learn how to test your current dishes for lead.
• Never store liquids in lead crystal glasses or bottles
• Pregnant women, children, and babies should not drink from lead crystal bottles or cups.

Best safe and green dishes to choose:

• Recycled glass dishes, plain old glass dishes, stoneware, and ceramic dishes made in the U.S.
• Buy local.
• Buy from handcrafters and companies who have eco-ethics.
• Bamboo dishes.
• Sustainable wood dishes with non-toxic finishes.
• Stainless steel dishes – extra points for recycled.
• If you MUST use disposable dishes, choose recycled and biodegradable disposable dishes.

Today, let’s look at some eco-dishes and serving items that go on top of your table…

Clear Glass Wine Decanter and Set of 4 Goblets – lovely recycled glass decanter with 4 recycled goblets.

Oceana Wave Plate – Pearl (set of 4) or Oceana Square Plate – Pewter (set of 4) – great place settings in recycled seaglass. Perfect as a set for formal holiday meals.

Serene Sol Dinnerware (12 pieces) is another place setting option. In recycled glass, but unlike the seaglass set above this one has small bowls available – nice for salads or soups.

Pachamama /Bamboo Large Salad Bowl – beautiful and big serving bowls.

Recycled Glass Live Edge Servers -extra cute little recycled serving dishes for olives, small snacks, or nuts. You could even use these for dips.

Rockstar drink charms – great for when people leave the table to mingle. Perfect for all holiday parties and made from old vinyl records with stainless steel charm hoops. Very cool.

Bird Cheese Markers – I actually hate cheese. However, being that for most folks, cheese is a holiday must, these adorable hand cast lead free pewter bird markers will make cheese identification super fun at your party. Comes with labels as well.