Best Eco Food Storage

If you are looking for eco-friendly food storage, then you know there are many options available. It is important to know which are the best options.

With so many products available, it is worthwhile to know which ones are truly eco-friendly and offer environmental as well as health benefits.

We have ranked the top nine eco-friendly food storage options based on sustainability, ease of use, and durability. Each of these options will be easy to clean, long-lasting, free of harmful chemicals, and environmentally friendly.

The best eco-friendly storage options for food will last long enough to not only be environmentally friendly, but cost-effective as well. They will be easy to clean, which will ensure that it is not more work to utilize reusable products.

Storing your food in eco-friendly containers is not only beneficial to the environment, but also beneficial to your overall health. Each of the options below has been tested, reviewed, and found to be one of the best products available on the market.

‍Best Eco Food Storage

1. Stasher Bags

One of the top eco-friendly food storage options available is the Stasher bag. They are a silicone reusable food storage bag that can easily and quickly take the place of a plastic bag. The Stasher bags do not contain any BPA, PVC, or latex, which makes them a safe option for storing food.

They are safe to be used in the freezer, microwave, dishwasher, oven, and even in boiling water. Because of this, they are able to be used for almost any food without risk of damaging the bag itself.

By using one Stasher bag, you can replace up to 500 single use plastic bags. This makes a huge difference in plastic consumption. Stasher bags can also be used up to 1,000 times before needing to be replaced. If you are wondering what to do once your Stasher bag is worn out or damaged, Stasher actually has their own recycling program so you do not have to worry about your used Stasher bag ending up in a landfill.

Stasher bags are easy to clean by hand or they can be placed in the dishwasher. In the event of a stain from something such as tomato sauce, you can create a paste with baking soda and either vinegar or water. Let the paste sit on the stain for 20-30 minutes then rinse and wash the bag as normal.

2. Glasslock Storage Containers

Using glass storage containers is a great eco-friendly option for storing food in place of tupperware. The Glasslock storage containers are made of silica, soda ash, limestone, and other natural materials, which makes them BPA free and they are FDA approved.

The Glasslock storage containers come in an 18-piece set so you will have a large variety of sizes and shapes of containers to utilize as well as nested design to take up minimal space while being stored. If you are limited on storage space, they can even be stored with the smaller containers inside of the larger ones with the lids on to save space. They are also safe to be used in the microwave, freezer, dishwasher, and oven so you can use them to not only store food, but also cook food in them if desired.

These glass containers are airtight and leak proof making them an excellent choice for storing soups and liquids if needed. An area of concern with storage containers can be stains and odors, but the Glasslock containers are odor free and stain proof, which enables you to easily store any food without concern for stains and odors.

Since they are dishwasher safe, they can be easily cleaned when needed without worrying about any damage to the container itself.

3. Glass Canisters to Store Dry Food

In addition to storing food in eco-friendly containers for the fridge and freezer, you will most likely also want containers to store dry food in your pantry such as pasta, oats, cereals, and beans.

These glass canisters come in a set of 5 with a variety of sizes within the set. This allows flexibility in storing different types of items. You also have the option of a square or round set as well depending on what you want to store and how you would like for it to look in your cabinet or pantry.

The glass is food-grade glass and 100% BPA free. Each canister comes with a bamboo lid that has a silicone sealing ring to keep the food inside fresh. These canisters are easy to hand wash and reuse as needed.

4. Bees Wrap Reusable Food Wrap

Plastic wrap is perhaps one of the most used kitchen items. If you are looking for a great eco-friendly option then Bees Wrap is the perfect option.

Bees Wrap is made from organic cotton, beeswax, organic plant oil, and tree resin. There is also a vegan option that is slightly different. It is made with candelilla wax, soy wax, organic coconut oil, and tree resin. Both options work just as well as the other.

The Bees wrap will have a slight scent when first opened as you will smell the bees wax. This will go away with a few uses and washes. It is easy to use and can last a year or longer.

The Bees wrap comes in several different sizes so you can use it for a variety of containers and dishware. You can purchase a small, medium or large wrap that is a standard square and you can purchase bowl covers in multiple sizes as well. If you are wanting to wrap a sandwich or loaf of bread, there are specific options for that as well. If you do not see an option that is exactly what you are looking for, you can always purchase a standard roll of the wrap and cut it yourself.

You will simply use the warmth of your hands to mold the wrap around the dish or food you are covering and it will stick to itself. If you need to clean the Bees wrap, you can simply either rinse it off, or if you need to, you can use a mild dish soap and water to clean it. Lay it on your counter or a drying rack to dry. It can then be folded and stored in a kitchen drawer.

The Bees Wrap will melt in higher temperatures so it is important to not use the Bees Wrap in the microwave, oven, boiling water, or over extremely hot food. It can be used in any cold temperatures or at room temperature without any issue.

Once the Bees Wrap is no longer sticky, it is biodegradable and compostable. You can cut it into smaller pieces to compost in your garden.

5. Food Huggers

When it comes to eco-friendly containers, you will probably want something to store partially cut up fruits or vegetables. Food Huggers are a great way to store things that have been partially cut such as avocados, onions, tomatoes, bell peppers, and citrus fruits.

They are made from the highest quality FDA grade silicone and are BPA as well as Phthalate free. The Food Huggers are freezer, microwave, and oven safe up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. The Food Huggers all fold flat and nest so they take up limited space when being stored.

To use, you just simply press your fruit or vegetable into the hugger and it will fold around your food and create a seal to keep it fresh. The Food Huggers come in a variety of shapes and sizes to be used with a wide range of foods. With food being one of the most commonly found items in a landfill, Food Huggers allow you to keep partially cut food fresh long enough to reuse it within a few days.

If for any reason, your Food Hugger is damaged or gets worn out, you can contact the company to recycle the product. They will send you a prepaid label so you can continue on your sustainability journey.

6. ECOlunchbox Stainless Steel Lunchbox

Although glass containers can work great for food storage purposes, they can be delicate to transport. Having an eco-friendly option to transport meals to and from school and work can be helpful.

The ECOlunchbox stainless steel lunchbox is made from Stainless Steel 201 and is also BPA,, BPS, and Phthalate free. It features three different layers that clip together, which makes it easy to store a meal and snacks if needed. It can be easily cleaned by hand, but is also dishwasher and freezer safe. The stainless steel lunchbox also comes in a larger size and round shape. If you are looking for a lunchbox that you can transport wet food items, there is a wet option available that is leakproof and secure for things such as pastas and soups.

If you are also looking for eco-friendly utensils, then Earth Hero also has a bamboo utensil set that you can easily take on the go.

7. Frego Food Storage

If you have small kids in the house, then glass can be a tricky option due to the risk of being dropped. Frego food storage containers offer a great alternative to glass in the event that you want to still have an eco-friendly option, but not worry about small children potentially getting hurt.

Frego products are made from glass and silicone. They are BPA, PVC, Polystyrene, and lead free. These products are made kid safe by using a glass container that is wrapped in a silicone sleeve along with a silicone lid.

The containers are freezer, refrigerator, microwave, oven, and dishwasher safe. The glass containers can be heated up to 500 degrees fahrenheit. If you need to heat food up, you will want to do so without the silicone sleeve. The silicone sleeve can then be used to transfer food without burning your hands. With the silicone sleeve on, the container is spill-proof and very break resistant making it an excellent choice for houses with small children.

The containers come in 2 cup and 4 cup sizes and multiple colors so you can find something that will suit your needs. You can also use a dry erase marker on the silicone lid to label the food as needed. When you want to remove the label, you can simply use a wet cloth to wipe away the marker and relabel.

8. Porter Seal Tight Bowl

Storing liquids such as pastas with sauce or soups can be challenging at times. The Porter Seal Tight Bowl is an excellent eco-friendly solution.

It is made of glass and high grade silicone as well as being BPA free, FDA complaint, and Cal Prop 65 compliant. The bowls come in two sizes with a screw top lid that has a leak-proof seal. The silicone exterior makes it easy to grip and less slippery than a standard glass container.

The bowl is dishwasher safe making it easy to clean as well as microwave safe. This allows it to be an easy option to store leftover soups and easily reheat in the same container.

They come in multiple colors and two sizes so you can store an individual portion or a larger amount.

9. U Konserve Stainless Steel Containers

If you are wanting an eco-friendly food storage option, but want to avoid glass then the U Konserve stainless steel containers are a great choice.

The stainless steel containers are made from BPA-free stainless steel and a plastic-free silicone lid. They have been tested by independent labs and also found to be completely lead-free. The containers are easy to clean as they are dishwasher safe and will last for years. You can use these for storage in the fridge or freezer if needed.

The containers come in square and round shapes and multiple sizes to fit any of your needs.

Benefits of Eco-Friendly Food Storage

Utilizing eco-friendly storage containers may be something you are barely starting or something you have been doing for a long time. There are many benefits to using sustainable products.

• Reduce Plastic Waste- By simply utilizing food storage containers that are more eco-friendly, you are making a positive impact on the environment. According to an article by EarthDay.org, 5 trillion plastic bags will be used this year. This equates to 160,000 plastic bags being used per second. Using reusable bags and reusable plastic wrap for food storage can immensely help with these numbers.
• Overall Health Benefits- Using eco-friendly food storage can be beneficial to your own health. Most products that are considered eco-friendly are plastic-free and do not contain things such as BPA and Phthalate. This means that food can be stored safely in them without potentially absorbing harmful chemicals. You are then keeping yourself and your loved ones healthy and safe.
• Potential to Save Money- Many eco-friendly products are reusable. This means that over time, you are potentially saving a good amount of money because instead of throwing the product away and purchasing again, you are able to wash and reuse it. This alone can be a great incentive to use eco-friendly products.
• Impact the Environment- Reusable and eco-friendly food storage containers will help the environment. You are fighting waste, pollution, and energy consumption that are all used when new materials have to be produced.

What Is BPA and Phthalate?

BPA stands for Bisphenol A and is a chemical that has been used for many years to make certain plastics. It is mainly found in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. The concern that some people have had is the ability of BPA to seep out of containers into the foods and beverages that people consume.

This is why many eco-friendly food containers and storage will be labeled as BPA free. Research studies have found that BPA mimics the hormone estrogen and therefore can cause health concerns for some. It has been found to influence growth, cell repair, fetal development, energy levels, and reproduction.

Phthalate is a group of chemicals that are used to make plastics more durable. Phthalates are located in hundreds of products, which also includes plastic packaging.

People are exposed to phthalates by consuming food and drinks that have been in contact with products containing phthalates. Most of the time, humans metabolize small amounts of phthalates and it is removed from the body. The long-term effects of exposure to phthalates in humans is not known, but it has shown some health consequences in animals.