7 Amazingly Simple Food Storage Alternatives to Plastic

Easy plastic-free food storage alternatives.

Discover some practical food storage alternatives to using plastic in the kitchen.

Whether you have made a commitment to going plastic-free in the kitchen for health reasons, to reduce your carbon footprint, or both, the decision can seem like a challenging one at first. Many of us are so much in the habit of grabbing those plastic containers and plastic wrap that switching to plastic alternatives can seem burdensome. Firstly, we must break the plastic habit, and then, we must fill our kitchens with healthy and sustainable alternatives.

But what should home cooks, lunch packers, and leftover lovers rely on? If you are new to plastic-free food storage, you might not realize the dearth of food storage solutions that exist outside of the world of plastic. There’s a plethora of old-school and more modern food solutions out there, and you just need a little knowledge and inspiration to get started.

Here are some of the easiest and practical food storage solutions to keep you plastic-free.

7 Plastic-Free Food Storage Solutions

  1. Mason Jars – Whether you choose Ball, Kerr, or Golden Harvest brand jars, mason jars are the workhorses of the kitchen. Not only are they are a must for canning and preserving food, but they also work perfectly for storing food in the fridge and the freezer. When freezing food in mason jars, do make sure to leave at least one inch of headroom to keep the jars from shattering as the food expands through the freezing process.
  2. Disposable Wax Paper Wrap – Wax paper is what our great-grandparents used to wrap leftovers and lunches in. Disposable wax paper is a paper wrap that has been made moisture-proof by the addition of wax.
  3. Reusable Bee’s Wrap – Bee’s Wrap is a reusable alternative to disposable wax paper. It is made by infusing organic cotton with beeswax, organic jojoba oil, and tree resin, to create a washable, reusable, and compostable alternative to plastic wrap.
  4. DIY Fabric Bowl Covers – You can make your own DIY reusable fabric bowl covers. They are perfect to store a salad in the fridge or to take a covered dish to a potluck. Here’s a tutorial to get you started.
  5. Weck Glass Jars – Weck jars are an alternative to mason jars. They are from Germany and offer a lot more variety in the sizes and types of jars. They are perfect for storing everything from homemade dressing and jams to kimchi and sauerkraut. They feature glass lids with rubber rings and metal clamps.
  6. Cloth Bags – Reusable cloth bags can be useful for storing bulk dry food items and for packing sandwiches, nuts, crackers, and other items in lunches.
  7. Stainless Steel Containers –  From stacking metal tiffins and bento boxes to larger containers and bowls, stainless steel is a great temporary alternative to plastic in the kitchen. It’s perfect for packing lunches!

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Image: Pasta Jars on the Shelf via Shutterstock

Jen Wallace

Jen Wallace shares her indie life by writing about making, creating, cooking, learning, playing, decorating, and pretty much anything else that strikes her fancy from indie biz tips to the modern history of the American hemline.