The 5 Best Non Toxic Food Storage Options: The Essentials

Most plastic and other conventional food storage options can contain harmful chemicals that can leach into your food—especially when heated or exposed to acidic foods. 

Plastic containers can contain BPA, phthalates, and other endocrine disruptors that have been linked to hormonal imbalances, reproductive issues, and even certain cancers. 

Making these switches for our own kitchen has been a game changer. We’ve got the perfect list here of non-toxic food storage alternatives that protects your families health and reduces environmental waste. 

Not only that, these materials and options will save you money in the long run as they are much more sustainable options.

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5 Eco-Friendly Options for Storing Food

1. Glass Containers for Storage and Lunch

Glass is one of the safest materials for food storage as it doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals can handle both hot and cold temperatures. 

We use glass containers for almost all our food storage, including for lunch containers. 

Unlike plastic, glass doesn’t absorb food odors or stains either (hello, last years spaghetti), making it perfect for meal prep, leftovers, and pantry organization.

These can replace:

• Plastic food storage containers (Tupperware, etc.)
• Plastic meal prep containers
• Plastic microwave-safe dishes
• Plastic lunch boxes
• Styrofoam containers

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2. Beeswax Wraps

Beeswax wraps are the bees knees! 

These wraps are made from cotton fabric coated with beeswax, jojoba oil, and tree resin. 

We use them as an aluminum foil replacement, to wrap food items in when packing lunch, as food covers, and other various uses where you might use plastic wrap. 

They can be washed and reused for up to a year before composting!

These can replace:

• Plastic cling wrap/plastic wrap
• Aluminum foil (for some uses)
• Plastic bags for wrapping produce
• Plastic sandwich bags
• Disposable food covers
• Plastic wrap for covering bowls and dishes

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3. Mason Jars

These food storage classics are a must have in our home. 

They aren’t just for canning either! We use them for everything from overnight oats to homemade sauces. We have them in all sorts and sizes to fit all our needs

These can replace:

• Plastic food storage containers
• Plastic cereal containers
• Store-bought sauce jars
• Disposable drinking cups

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4. Silicone Reusable Bags (Ziploc Alternatives)

Our silicone ziploc bags have saved us a ton of money on all those plastic ones we used to use.

These flexible, BPA-free, leakproof bags are perfect for snacks, sandwiches, and anything else you might put in those plastic ones.

Unlike plastic, high-quality silicone can withstand high temperatures (dishwasher and freezer safe) without degrading or releasing harmful chemicals. 

We’ve found the stasher brand to be the most durable and long lasting out of other silicone ziploc brands. Its a little on the pricier side though.

These can replace:

• Disposable plastic sandwich bags
• Plastic produce bags
• Travel toiletry bags (for non-food uses)

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5. Stainless Steel Containers 

Stainless steel is another staple when it comes to food storage, especially for packing lunch. We love our mini stainless steel containers with silicone lids that can be used for sauces or dressings.

Stainless steel doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals, is dishwasher safe, virtually indestructible and won’t break like glass or degrade like plastic.

These can replace:

• Plastic lunch containers
• Plastic containers for salad dressings and sauces
• Disposable portion cups for serving

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Bonus Swap: Repurposing Store-Bought Containers

Not only does buying food packaged in glass limit plastic waste, it gives you an extra storage container! 

From left over maple syrup, olives, and jams, we have all sorts of various glass containers we use for the most random things, including food storage.

These can replace:

• New storage containers (reusing instead of buying)
• Plastic food storage containers
• Disposable gift containers
• Plastic pantry organization containers
• Disposable craft supply storage
• Disposable desk organizers
• New glass jars (when you can reuse existing ones)
• Plastic bathroom storage containers

Let us know if you know of any other eco friendly food storage staples in your home!

Thanks for reading!