This morning we looked at what kind of food storage is the best green choice. Now, as promised, I’ve rounded up some green food storage options for you.
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This week we started looking at earth friendly kitchenware options. So far we talked about Eco-Friendly Pots and Pans and Eco-Friendly Basic Dishes. Today we’re going to take a peek at what makes a food container eco-friendly.
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.