In relation to storing meals, there are various eco-friendly options to plastic. However that are finest for the planet – to not point out your well being?
From cling wrap, to zip-lock luggage, meals packaging and the huge assortment of plastic containers cluttering kitchen drawers and nook cabinets, there may be scarcely a job plastic can’t accommodate.
However some research have discovered sure chemical substances in plastics can leach out and into meals and drinks, and have been linked to well being issues starting from metabolic issues to diminished fertility.
Plastic also can have a devastating impression on the setting. As much as 130,000 tonnes results in the ocean every year and far plastic is shipped to landfill, the place it could take lots of of years to interrupt down.
However good meals storage is a vital step in chopping the 7.3 million tonnes of meals wasted every year – that’s round $3800 of groceries within the bin for the common family.
Storing meals so it lasts not solely helps your hip pocket, but it surely’s an essential cog within the sustainable life-style wheel because it reduces methane emissions from landfill and conserves vitality and assets within the manufacturing of meals.
- In the reduction of: 3 methods to go plastic-free at dwelling
So what can you employ as an alternative of plastic?
1. Bamboo
Bamboo is quick rising, requires no chemical substances and little water, might be present in abundance in massive elements of the world, and is 100 per cent biodegradable.
Nonetheless, word that bamboo containers aren’t really useful for microwaving.
2. Glass
Glass containers are freezer, fridge and microwave pleasant, made out of pure supplies resembling sand, and might usually be recycled (warmth resistant glass can’t).
Roughly 56 per cent of glass packaging is recycled in Australia.
Nonetheless, solely a specific sort of sand can be utilized to fabricate glass, which comes largely from riverbeds and seabeds and might disrupt the ecosystem.
Glass can be heavier than plastic so it’s costlier to move.
“Generally, we think about glass a stable selection as a result of it may be fully recycled many instances over,” says Catie Payne, of Sustainable Desk.
3. Chrome steel
Chrome steel is non-toxic, sturdy, and 100 per cent recyclable. Greater than half of recent chrome steel produced has been one other chrome steel product prior to now.
“Chrome steel lasts perpetually, is made out of a excessive proportion of reclaimed supplies, and might be recycled on the finish of its life,” says Catie.
4. Beeswax wraps
These are cloths coated with beeswax to allow them to cling to meals or containers.
They’re capable of be washed (not with scorching water) and reused for as much as 12 months.
Nonetheless, beeswax just isn’t really useful for uncooked meat, and whereas it’s flexible, it may be tough to get a agency “cling”.
5. Silicone luggage or meals huggers
Silicone merchandise might be very versatile and stand up to excessive temperatures, in addition to being non-toxic, sturdy and reusable.
Constructed from silicon, a naturally occurring aspect that may be present in sand and quartz, silicone just isn’t biodegradable.
“Silicone and ceramics are made out of pure supplies and are non-reactive,” says Catie.
So what’s the finest meals storage possibility?
If changing previous plastic containers, your first go-to must be no matter you have already got at dwelling, says Catie.
“There’s no manufactured answer that’s nearly as good as reusing one thing readily available – even when that one thing is plastic,” she says.
Sustainability Victoria chief government Claire Ferres Miles says: “Begin by storing meals in reusable containers that you’ve got at dwelling – be certain that they’re clear and don’t have any cracks.”
Opposite to widespread customized, not every thing must be saved in an hermetic container to increase its longevity, says Catie.
“Figuring out what you possibly can retailer in ambient temperatures – like leafy greens in a glass of water on the bench high, onions in a canvas bag and pumpkins within the backside of the pantry – saves vitality by minimising pointless refrigeration,” she says.
Extra sustainable dwelling suggestions:
- 6 methods to banish plastic out of your lavatory
- 5 habits which are good for you and the planet
- How one can begin your individual veggie backyard
Written by Claire Burke.
