A reader emailed me a question recently about how to get rid of plastic containers for food storage. I was happy to share with her what I use in my home. I hate using plastic to store food in because it can leach chemicals into the food and the production and disposal of plastic causes a lot of environmental problems. Plastic just doesn’t last either.
So in my home I use a lot of glass. For leftovers and food storage in the fridge I use pyrex containers. There are a lot of sleek modern pyrex bowls and containers you can pick up at virtually any store but personally I like to use vintage pyrex that has been well used. It is more attractive and I like to reuse items before I buy new. Also the new pyrex containers have plastic lids. The older versions have glass lids. Some of my pyrex collection is easily 50 years old and they look like new. Vintage pyrex also has resale value.
For loose items like crackers, cereal, dried beans, trail mix, and pasta that come wrapped in plastic I put 
those in glass jars with glass lids that I got from Ikea. I have had them for many years now and they are still going strong. They sit on a cupboard shelf or on on my kitchen counter. Storing items like these in this way makes it more likely for me to buy from the bulk containers at the health food store so I don’t even have to buy products with excess packaging.
During yard sale season you will always see me make a beeline for the vintage pyrex. :)
