Plastics Purge Part IV: Plastic-Free Food Storage

Greener Living’s plastics purge series continues this week with Part IV where I delve into non-disposable plastic and plastic alternatives to single-use food storage products including  Ziploc bags, plastic cling wrap, and single-use to-go containers.

Since beginning this blog nearly seven months ago, I have endeavored to eliminate and reduce the waste I’m producing in my everyday life. From the get-go, I knew that my use of plastic cling wraps, disposable Ziploc style sandwich/storage bags, and single-use to go containers was an unsustainable pattern in my life.

I subsequently sought reusable alternatives to all of these and have been using these alternatives fairly consistently and effectively since then.

Growing up in a home of avid lunch packers (cold lunch kids for life!), plastic cling wrap was a staple in my household. Everything from sandwiches to dinner leftovers were typically wrapped in a secure bundle of plastic cling wrap. It got the job done and it was convenient. However, as with the numerous other sources of single-use plastics in our lives, this convenience did not come without a cost. 

Similarly, it was exceedingly convenient to grab a plastic Ziploc bag and toss some snacks into it.

And, when we would go out to eat growing up, we’d bring our leftovers home in single-use plastic containers, the worst of which were made of Styrofoam, which under certain environmental conditions essentially never breaks down. In fact, some estimates find that Styrofoam can take up to 1 million years to break down.

As with all single-use plastics, the disposability of these products has devastating environmental impacts. Once disposed of, these products end up in landfills where they take up to 1000 years to decompose, leaching chemicals into the environment all the while. Plastic products that are improperly disposed of contribute to the ongoing plastic pollution crisis whereby they enter our natural world and are further degraded into microplastics by exposure to sunlight or wave motion. This macro and microplastic pollution accumulates toxins, contaminates our waterways, and endangers wildlife by choking animals and clogging up their digestive systems. 

In addition to their environmental impact, these single-use plastic storage options can also negatively impact human health in their ability to transfer chemicals into our food, especially when exposed to heat.

Luckily, in our planet’s growing awareness around the profound problems posed by plastic pollution (read more about the historic agreement on plastic pollution reached by over 180 countries worldwide), reusable or more sustainable alternatives to these single-use plastic products are becoming more readily available and commonplace.

US households use an estimated 24 rolls of plastic wrap per year. However, single-use, plastic cling wrap can be avoided by storing food in reusable containers with lids. Likewise, sandwiches and other commonly-wrapped foodstuffs can be stored in reusable sandwich boxes or small Tupperware containers instead.

ETEE FoodWraps via Amazon

There also exists reusable beeswax food wraps. I ordered an assorted pack of these beeswax wraps, and although it took some adjustment and practice to get used to, I found that they function just as well as plastic wrap. Unlike the wasteful plastic/cling wrap which readily clings to itself, these beeswax food wraps are “heat activated” and need to be warmed by rubbing them in your hands before they stick to themselves. However, once activated they readily adhere to themselves or to the edges of dishes you may be covering. Best of all, they can be cleaned and reused up to 150 times.

There are a variety of beeswax food wraps available such as the ETEE reusable food wraps that I ordered from Amazon. I encourage you to shop around and explore the product reviews and information for yourself to get a better idea of how these alternatives to cling wrap work. (Please note: buying local whenever possible rather than ordering and shipping from online is better for the environment!)

Similarly, I phased out my use of plastic Ziploc bags by investing in reusable alternatives. With fun patterns and a variety of styles, these sustainable alternatives met my various snacking needs. I could fit sandwiches, chips, cheese and crackers, or really whatever I was looking to snack on at work or on the go. These alternatives can be made of cloth, silicone, or PEVA / EVA non-chlorinated plastics. The average US household uses 500 Ziploc or off-brand equivalent plastic bags each year, according to Design-Life-Cycle of the University of California, Davis Department of Design. Swapping out the single-use bags for reusable alternatives can therefore significantly reduce plastic waste output while simultaneously saving you money.

If you do continue to use plastic Ziploc bags on occasion or consistently, be sure to rinse and re-use these bags as they can be cleaned out and used multiple times.

Take-out and to-go orders have also contributed an estimated 269,000 tons of plastic pollution in the form of cups, plates, cutlery, straws, and containers. Many restaurants have invested in biodegradable, compostable alternatives to plastic/Styrofoam containers and cutlery. However, these products are often only compostable at an industrial level. Therefore, even when more eco-friendly alternatives exist, it is best to forgo the conatiner altogether by bringing your own to-go container in the form of a reusable Tupperware made of plastic or glass. Also, be sure to go without straws, napkins, or plastic cutlery that may be offered in conjunction with your to-go, and choose instead to use reusable straws, cloth napkins, and non-disposable cutlery—all of which will help cut down your plastic footprint. Pro tip: keeping a reusable spoon or other cutlery and a reusable napkin in your bag, purse, or car can help you have access to sustainable alternatives while on the go.

Additionally, I keep a Tupperware or two in my car. This way, when I go out to eat and have leftovers I’d like to take home, I can grab my Tupperware from my car.

Many of these alternatives are in fact plastic. Sometimes a sturdier, PVC/BPA-free plastic alternative is the best option in terms of portability and durability. However, it is also worth noting that glass containers, jars, and Tupperware offer plastic-free storage alternatives that are definitely worth consideration.

So, this week, I urge you to work on phasing out these single-use plastics from your kitchens and from your daily lives. If you feel intimidated by the prospect of doing away with plastic Ziplocs, cling wrap, and single-use to-go containers all in one go, pick just one to start with. Your goal this week could even be as simple as putting a reusable container into your car for future use.

Whatever you decide to do, know that you are taking an important step on your continued journey toward greener living, and, as always, let us know how it goes in the comments section below.

~Sam