Contributed by RubbingNickels.com

Did you know that when you store, freeze and/or microwave food in your kitchen, you may be releasing toxic chemicals into your food?  There are a lot of food storage products available but the best are recyclable, reusable and non-toxic when you use them in the microwave.  When an item saves you money in the long run AND is good for the environment, I give it the label “eco-thrifty.”

For everyday storage in the refrigerator, I have transitioned my kitchen from plastic zip bags to old-fashioned Ball jars with metal lids and glass storage containers made of Pyrex that have lids and are safe to use in the microwave.  In the freezer, I use plastic containers with lids so that they can be popped in the dishwasher.  If you insist on using the zipper bags, there is an interesting product on the market that allows you to wash the bags in the dishwasher and reuse them.

Here is a list of some options that Sierra Club magazine deems eco-friendly and food safe:

Food Prep

OXO Folding Cutting Board

Material:  #5 Polypropylene – Safe and recyclable.  Check with your local recycling program.

Price:  $14.99

Resource:  oxo.com

Farberware 9-cup Marinade Dish

Material:  #5 Polypropylene – Safe and recyclable.  Check with your local recycling program.

Price:  $5.99

Resource:  fryeintl.com

Fridge and Freezer

Tupperware Fridge Stackables Set

Material:  #5 Polypropylene – Safe and recyclable.  Check with your local recycling program.

Price:  $16.00

Resource:  Tupperware.com

Tupperware Prep Essentials Cold Cut Keeper

Material:  #5 Polypropylene – Safe and recyclable.  Check with your local recycling program.

Price:  $23.00

Resource:  Tupperware.com

Farberware 10-piece Mini Fridge Kit

Material:  #5 Polypropylene – Safe and recyclable.  Check with your local recycling program.

Price:  $17.99

Resource:  fryeintnl.com

Bag-E-Wash

Material:  Nylon.  Use this tool to wash and reuse your Ziplock bags.  Bags can be washed and re-used up to 50 times before the plastic starts to break down!

Price:  $9.99

Resource:  bag-e-wash.com

Microwave

Farberware 23-piece Azure Blue Set

Material:  #5 Polypropylene – Safe and recyclable.  Check with your local recycling program.

Price:  $16.00

Resource:  Tupperware.com

Gladware Containers with Interlocking Lids

Material:  #5 Polypropylene – Safe and recyclable.  Check with your local recycling program.

Price:  $4.03/5-pack, entrée size

Resource:    drugstore.com

Gladware Small 4-cup Bowls

Material:P  #5 Polypropylene – Safe and recyclable.  Check with your local recycling program.

Price:  $3.69/4-pack

Resource:  drupstore.com

Food Wraps

Ziploc Sandwich Bags

Material:  #4 Low-density Polythylene.  Safe and recycled at Whole Foods Market, Walmart and plastic bag recycling centers.

Price:  $3.29/100

Resource:  drugstore.com

Saran Cling Plus

Material:  #4 Low –density polyethylene.  Safe and recycled at Whole Foods Market, Walmart and plastic bag recycling centers.

Price:  $2.69/200 ft.

Resource:  drugstore.com

Glad Press-n-Sealing Wrap

Material:  $4 Low-density polyethylene.  Safe and recycled at Whole Foods Market, Walmart and plastic bag recycling centers.

Price:  $5.99

Resource:  drugstore.com

References:  1)  Masterson, Danielle.  “Cracking the Code” in Green Guide from National Geographic. Spring 2008:  Pages 48-51.  2)  Hattam, Jennifer.  “Trendsetter” in Sierra Magazine.  Jan/Feb 2008.  Page 11.