Eco-friendly food storage is an important part of a more sustainable lifestyle because it can reduce waste in one of the most heavily used parts of the home—the kitchen. By cutting out single-use plastic and replacing it with glass containers, reusables, wax wraps, and compostable products, we can take an important step towards reducing plastic and related toxins in the home.
Here are some of our favorite eco-friendly food storage options:
Compostable Resealable Bags
Whether you’re packing snacks for kids or organizing your own lunches, resealable bags continue to be a popular food storage option. Unfortunately, the production, use, and disposal of traditional plastics is damaging to both the environment and your health. Made from biodegradable vegetable material, compostable bags offer a safer, more planet-friendly alternative to old school options.
If you decide to make the switch to compostable plastics, though, make sure you choose an option that can be composted at home. Many products that are marketed as compostable actually require industrial composting, and won’t biodegrade in the conditions possible in a home composting environment. Compostic compostable resealable bags are a great option, as are BioBag resealable bags, which we buy through Grove Collaborative.
Reusable Silicone Storage Bags
If you prefer to avoid even compostable single-use products, reusable silicone storage bags—like Stasher—will feel right at home in your kitchen. The best reusable bags are made from platinum food-grade silicone and come in a variety of sizes and colors. Plus, their structured shape makes it easier and tidier to fill the bags with everything from cereal and grains to leftover soup. The bags are widely available on Amazon and Stasher’s website, but they’re also easy to add to sustainable deliveries from Grove Collaborative and Thrive Market.
Reusable Beeswax Food Wraps
Reusable food wraps are most commonly made from fabric that has been coated with beeswax to form a water resistant but flexible coating. Available in a range of shapes and sizes, these wraps can be used to cover bowls, wrap sandwiches, and protect cut produce among other uses. When you’re done, simply wash the material with cool water and your favorite zero waste dish soap and then air dry before storing. In addition to being plastic free, this type of food wrap can typically be reused for about a year and can be composted at the end of its useful life.
We love the Bee’s Wrap brand because it’s a woman owned business and a Certified B Corporation. The wraps are available directly through Bee’s Wrap and on Amazon, but like many other household products, we prefer to order them through Grove or Thrive.
Pro Tip: Most food wraps are not appropriate for vegans because of their beeswax content. However, Bee’s Wrap also offers a totally vegan food wrap made with candelilla and soy wax.
Compostable Cling Wrap
For those who prefer the convenience of single-use cling wrap, Compostic offers a compostable alternative. Biodegradable under home composting conditions, this cling wrap is made from non-toxic materials that are free of BPA and GMOs. The company also uses compostable packaging that’s printed with soy- or water-based inks.
Compostic is based in New Zealand, but its products are available through Amazon. Shoppers who prefer to shop small can pick up another compostable cling wrap brand—Zefiro—through EarthHero.
Glass Bulk Food Storage Jars
Whether you have made the switch to buying in bulk or are just looking for a plastic free way to store dry goods, glass jars are the way to go. Because jars come in such a wide variety of shapes and sizes, it’s easy to find the perfect jar to fit your needs. If you need glass storage for things like pasta and beans, check out these Le Parfait storage and canning jars. You can also find a range of glass storage solutions at thrift stores and on sites like IKEA and Amazon.
Pro Tip: Save money and cut back on your consumption by using empty glass packaging (think tomato sauce and spice jars) instead of buying new containers.
Glass Food Storage Containers
Keeping leftovers in glass storage containers instead of plastic can cut back on waste and reduce the environmental toxins you’re exposed to each day. Glass is also more durable than plastic and can be heated without being damaged, so each piece will last longer and reduce the need to buy replacements. Where possible, avoid glass containers that come with plastic components in favor of those with bamboo lids. These bamboo and glass food storage containers are a great deal and have excellent reviews, but you can also reuse glass food jars to save money and further reduce household waste.
Stainless Steel Bento Box
If you’re ready to step up your lunch box game, a stainless steel bento box is a sustainable alternative to unsanitary plastic totes that often have a limited lifespan. There are a number of options on the market, but we love PlanetBox because it offers a range of shapes, sizes, and designs that are perfect for kids and adults. You can even customize each box with add-on magnets.
Shopping Note: Shopping intentionally is an important part of building a more sustainable lifestyle, and many of our favorite small businesses use more environmentally friendly shipping practices than big box retailers. For that reason, we aim to choose products available through independent sellers and shopping platforms we believe in.
Still, we recognize that Amazon may be the most economical or convenient option for many. To make our favorite products as accessible as possible, we link out to many items (or available equivalents) on our Amazon sustainability resources page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes kitchen storage eco-friendly?
Eco-friendly kitchen storage is made from reusable and food-safe materials like glass, silicone, bamboo, and stainless steel. The most sustainable kitchen and food storage options make it easy to eliminate plastic—and especially single-use plastic—from your kitchen without sacrificing quality. Many eco-friendly food storage and kitchen items are also compostable and come in biodegradable or otherwise plastic-free packaging.
Are bamboo lids eco-friendly?
Bamboo lids are considered eco-friendly because bamboo is a fast-growing grass that does not require fertilizer. The plants are also capable of self-generating and can be propagated with cuttings. This makes bamboo extremely sustainable. That said, bamboo is typically farmed as a monoculture, which can harm the natural environment by stripping the area of crucial biodiversity. Plus, the majority of bamboo is grown in China, meaning it has to travel a long distance to reach our kitchens. Overall, however, responsibly cultivated bamboo and bamboo lids are more eco-friendly than plastic alternatives.
Are silicone kitchen tools eco-friendly?
Silicone kitchen tools are eco-friendly compared to plastic because food-grade silicone is made from silica—a sand-based material—and not petroleum. Silicone kitchen tools are also extremely durable so they last longer than many plastic alternatives and can reduce the amount of waste going into landfills. Likewise, silicone is recyclable—though it does require a specialized facility. To ensure you’re using the healthiest, most eco-friendly silicone kitchen tools choose brands that advertise medical grade or food grade silicone.
Is glass Tupperware sustainable?
Glass Tupperware and other food storage containers are more sustainable than plastic alternatives because they are made from silica—not petroleum. What’s more, these containers last longer than plastic options, so you can cut back on your overall consumption. Some glass food storage brands take sustainability even further by using biodegradable bamboo lids instead of plastic. Not only are glass Tupperware containers more sustainable than plastic, they don’t break down and leach chemicals when reheated.
Choosing the Best Eco-Friendly Food Storage for 2021
Becoming more sustainable in 2021 is easy if you make small, incremental changes—and the kitchen is a great place to start. We chose some of the best eco-friendly food storage tools based on the products we use at home and recommend to clients.
How do you store food in your kitchen? Share your favorite eco-friendly food storage products with the community by adding them to the comments below ✨
