The amount of money I have invested in food storage over the years is staggering.
I usually gape at the price of the really good stuff and end up buying shitty plastic containers that are good for maybe two or three years before splitting so they end up in landfill – and that’s not good enough!
So I’m slowly replacing my shitty containers with eco-friendly and sustainable food storage containers.
Sure, it is a long term project – but one that I’m really happy to be doing. But what eco-friendly and sustainable options are there for food storage containers?
Well – I’ve done the research so you don’t have to!? Read on!
1. Glass Containers or Mason Jars
There is no other more eco-friendly way to store food in the kitchen than storing food in glass containers.
Glass containers are non-toxic. It checks all three R’s for reduce, reuse and recycle. The only downside is, since it is glass and accidents happen in the kitchen, you might break them!
Just be a little careful in handling these babies since they’re also more expensive than if you use plastic (which is generally not eco-friendly too).
Mason Jars are made of glass too so this is technically under that category. They are perfect for storing fruit such as grapes and raspberries – it makes them last and last and last!
2. Vacuum Bags
Have you tried vacuum bags to store your food?
Vacuum bags are specially designed plastic bags that allow you to remove air before sealing. By creating an airtight seal around your food, vacuum sealing significantly slows down the spoilage process. It’s like giving your food an extended holiday – it stays fresher for longer because oxygen, which causes mould and bacteria to thrive, is kept at bay.
While they may seem simple, these little bags can have a big impact on how you store, preserve, and even prepare food at home.
Some Tips for Using Vacuum Bags
- Label Everything: Vacuum bags can look very similar once they’re sealed. Always label the contents and date of sealing so you can keep track of how long food has been stored.
- Seal Dry Foods: While vacuum bags are ideal for meats and vegetables, they’re also fantastic for dry goods like pasta, rice, and coffee beans. Sealing these can keep them fresh and free from pantry pests.
- Marinate Faster: Want to speed up the marinating process for meats and veggies? Vacuum-sealing your ingredients with your favourite marinade will help the flavours penetrate more quickly – saving you time without compromising on taste.
The Kleva Vac Seal & Save Food Saver Vacuum Sealer is a clever gadget removes air from specially designed bags, extending the shelf life of everything from fresh produce to leftovers.
Perfect for reducing food waste, preventing freezer burn, and saving space in your fridge or pantry, the Kleva Vac helps you stay organised while being kinder to the environment.
Plus, it’s compatible with reusable vacuum bags, making it a fantastic choice for eco-conscious households looking to cut down on single-use plastics.
3. Stainless Steel Food Storage Canisters
Restaurants often use stainless steel to store food because they’re more durable and they last a long time. Who says you can’t use the same for your kitchen?
For an eco-friendly way of storing food, you can opt to use stainless steel, there are several online stores selling stainless steel containers.
The only downside is that compared to glass, you can’t see what’s inside of the stainless steel containers.
We love the U Konserve Square To-Go Stainless Steel Container from Biome Eco Store.
4. Bees Wax Wraps
Bees Wax Wraps are an eco-friendly replacement for plastic wrap. The wraps are made from organic cotton that is infused w ith beeswax – the wraps are naturally anti-bacterial and are reusable. Perfect for the school lunch box or fridge storage.
Beeswax wraps can be used to:
- Cover salad bowls in the fridge
- Wrap cheeses in the fridge
- Sandwiches for School Lunches
- Wrap around plates of leftovers
We love these Honeybee Beeswax Food Wraps from Biome.
5. Ceramic Canisters
First, make sure your ceramic container is lead-free. Much like glass and steel containers, ceramic containers are also eco-friendly since you can wash and reuse them.
Ceramic containers can also serve as pretty display pieces depending on their style. Marie Kondo (the organisation Queen) has a range of ceramic canisters that are so pretty!
6. Silicone Storage Bags
A simple eco-friendly way to store food in the kitchen is by using Silicon Storage Bags. You can store fruits, vegetables, crackers, nuts, anything really! The best part is, it doesn’t take up much space.
We highly recommend the Stasher Silicone Storage Bag.
Made from food-grade silicone, this bag is not only great for storing sandwiches and snacks but can also handle sous vide cooking, freezing, and even microwave use. It’s airtight and leak-proof, keeping your food fresh while cutting down on plastic waste.
Whether you’re storing leftovers, marinating food, or packing lunch, the Stasher bag is durable, dishwasher-safe, and perfect for reducing your household’s environmental footprint in style.
7. Produce Saver
There’s nothing better for breakfast than a good ol’ avo toast. You take half of the avo, what do you do with the other half when you want to save it for the next day? How about onions, what to do when using the entire onion is too much?
Try using a produce saver as an eco-friendly way to store food in your kitchen. This will also prevent its spoilage.
8. Produce Bags
We like our produce fresh. From the market to our kitchen, one eco-friendly way of storing it is by using produce bags. Make sure you have this ready during grocery shopping.
The Biome Organic Cotton Diamond Weave Mesh Produce Bag (Small – 3pk) is a must-have for anyone looking to shop sustainably and reduce plastic waste!
These reusable produce bags are made from 100% organic cotton and are perfect for carrying fresh fruits and vegetables from the market without relying on single-use plastic. The breathable mesh design keeps your produce fresh and is sturdy enough to handle repeated use.
Plus, they’re machine washable, making them a practical and eco-friendly option for grocery shopping.
Say goodbye to plastic bags and embrace a more sustainable way to shop with these durable and stylish bags!
9. Silicone Lids as Food Covers
Silicone lids are a fantastic, eco-friendly alternative to plastic wrap for covering food. These reusable, stretchy lids create an airtight seal over bowls, jars, and even cut fruit, keeping your food fresh for longer.
Made from durable, food-safe silicone, they’re versatile, easy to clean, and come in a range of sizes to fit various containers. The Ever Eco Reusable Silicone Food Covers are the perfect eco-friendly solution for keeping your food fresh without the need for plastic wrap.
These stretchy covers fit snugly over bowls, jars, and even cut fruit, creating an airtight seal to preserve freshness.
These covers are a fantastic way to reduce single-use plastic in your kitchen while keeping leftovers and ingredients fresh for longer!
10. Plastic Bowls
Yes, yes. We hate the word plastic! When we hear plastic, eco-friendly is the last thing on our minds.
BUT, hear us out. Plastic containers, as long as it’s recycled plastic or recyclable plastic (they do make one), you can still use it to store food in the kitchen. Plastic is cheap, it doesn’t take up space and it doesn’t break.
But these ones from Biome are an exception.
The Re-Play Bowl (Single) is an eco-friendly, durable, and vibrant bowl made from recycled milk jugs, perfect for everyday use.
Designed to be strong and long-lasting, these BPA-free bowls are safe for both kids and adults. They’re ideal for serving everything from snacks to soups, and are dishwasher-safe, making cleanup a breeze. By choosing Re-Play, you’re not only opting for high-quality, functional tableware but also supporting sustainability by reducing plastic waste.
It’s a smart, eco-conscious choice for any household looking to reduce its environmental footprint.
Unless it’s recycled – plastic should be your last resort.
Those are ideas we would like for you to try! But if you already have it in your kitchen, good on ya!
Ask yourself when you start using eco-friendly ways to store food in the kitchen, “Does it spark joy?” You can Marie Kondo your kitchen the eco-friendly way!
I get what you’re saying, and yeah, those cases where people meet as adults can explain why the attraction happens.…