Good habits are formed early in life, and as an environmentally conscious parent, you are probably always looking for ways to educate your children about the need to “reduce, reuse, and recycle.” One of the easiest ways to accomplish this is to plan litter-free lunches and snacks that don’t produce more trash than, say, an apple core that you can take home and compost. The food containers are also brought home, washed and reused for the next day, without producing trash for school or the workplace.
While your first thought may be to turn to your stash of plastic containers that were passed from your mother’s kitchen to yours, think again. Plastic containers can work well to replace the trash created by plastic wrap and sandwich bags, but stainless steel is a much better and greener alternative with several important advantages over plastic or even glass, especially when used. It is about food storage and food safety. .
- Plastics can leach harmful chemicals into your food. Stainless steel is safe, non-toxic and does not react even to acidic foods (such as tomatoes). The safety and health of your family may be the biggest reason you switch to stainless steel food storage.
- Stainless steel is, well, stainless. Your plastic containers will discolor and stain with use. While steel can scratch, it will always look clean if cleaned well.
- Steel does not break. Your stainless steel container may be dented if dropped on a hard surface, but it won’t shatter or chip like glass, or crack like plastic would.
- Steel is a very hygienic material. Steel is not a welcoming environment to harbor or encourage the growth of bacteria. It also won’t transfer odors, which is a common complaint about plastic packaging.
- Stainless steel food containers can be airtight and leak proof. Using locking clips and silicone seals similar to those found on plastic or glass containers, some stainless steel containers are also airtight and leak-proof, perfect for transporting yogurt, sauce, or dip.
- Steel is durable and long lasting. While steel containers can cost two to three times more than comparable plastic containers, given how stain resistant, hygienic and unbreakable they are, they will last longer than plastic containers, proving that the initial investment was worth it. . And as an added bonus, you know it will be safe to pass them on to your kids!
- Steel is highly recyclable. Steel is a very sustainable material and the products you buy are very likely to have at least 75% recycled scrap steel content. And if for some reason you decide that you no longer want the product, it can be recycled endlessly. In contrast, most plastic food storage containers are not accepted by municipal recycling programs.
So start replacing your old plastic containers with stainless steel food storage containers. You will feel better about helping to preserve the health of our planet if you are also helping to preserve the health of your family.
