There are many options to select from when it comes to storing your home-cooked food, including tins, glass jars, metal tiffin boxes, silicone, wooden containers, and more. Although there are many options to choose from, you should make sure to choose something safe to keep the stored food fresh. 

Conventionally, food was mainly packed and stored in metal containers. However, in recent decades, people usually opt for plastic containers for food storage. If you check your cupboard, it is highly likely to be filled with plastic food containers. The versatility and low price of plastic made them famous, and since then, it has been a common household sight. However, plastics are not the best option for storing your food for many reasons, but two significant reasons that stand out the most are: plastics are considered to carrysignificant health risks by some experts and that the plastic pollution and the carbon footprint of plastics is a significant threat to our environment.  

Most of the plastic that is used today is made using unsustainable raw materials that include crude oil. To reach the desired strength and durability needed for plastic containers, producers use BPA chemical. A chemical that has been under hot debate in the recent past for its potential adverse health risks for humans. Some experts claim that BPA present in plastics can seep into consumable goods stored inside them when exposed to high temperatures and pressure, resulting in BPA being infused into our food chain. This carries a lot of health risks and is considered unsafe by experts. Furthermore, in general, plastic waste is a significant pollutant; most plastics are non-recyclable and dumped in landfills; it can take up to decades for the plastic to decompose. So overall, plastics carry a hefty environmental cost for everyone, and thus they should be avoided. 

This blog will mention the available alternatives to plastic containers: aluminum and glass made containers. Keep reading to learn more about these two packaging materials that are safe and sustainable options. 

Glass jars and containers

Glass as a storage container has been around for years. It is still popular today. Glass comes with excellent safety, design, and sustainability features. Glass is a natural product; it is free from harmful chemicals, including BPA. When sealed properly with lids, it helps to protect the stored products from air and moisture. This way, the stored product retains its original taste and freshness. It also does not react with organic acids making it an ideal choice for storing food. You can store food in glass jars and containers in the pantry or refrigerator and safely use it in microwave ovens. 

As far as sustainability is concerned, glass is recyclable, making it one of the best choices for green lifestyle enthusiasts. The flexibility of glass as a material allows companies to make food containers in various shapes and sizes, ensuring a diverse range of products to select from according to your needs. However, the brittle nature of glass makes it slightly vulnerable, and users must take caution as it can break easily on impact.

Tins and Aluminum containers 

When we think of food storage, traditional metal cans and tins come to our minds. However, with the introduction of aluminum, the industry has moved towards using safe and environmentally friendly aluminum containers. Aluminum is a naturally occurring material that does not need any chemical treatment during production, thus making for a safe food storage option. Its elegant looks ensure that your food display is eye-catching. 

Whether storing solid food in the pantry or refrigerating cooked meals, you can always rely on aluminum containers and cans to store your food safely. Additionally, it does not react with organic acids found in some food ingredients or finished meals; this means that aluminum is food-safe, and you do not have to think twice about storing food in aluminum. 

Some other aluminum features include its light weightiness, making it easy to carry around. Thinking of carrying some food with you on your hiking trips, you surely don’t want to add a lot of weight just because of containers in your bags. Its opaque and non-porous surface ensures that the food stored inside is kept away from air and moisture, guaranteeing fresh and aromatic food for an extended period of time. 

Not only is aluminum safe for food, but it is also completely recyclable. It is one of the most sustainable packaging materials out there in the market. This is a great marketing advantage for companies, especially amongst consumers that are looking for sustainable options. The abundant supply of aluminum on earth ensures a steady supply chain and economical prices for products made of aluminum. 

Conclusion
Bearing in mind the harmful health and environmental costs of plastics, an increasing number of people are avoiding old-fashioned plastic cans and plastic food packaging. The market demand is steadily increasing for safe and sustainable food containers. While these alternatives are slightly more expensive than plastic containers, considering the overall benefits mentioned in this blog, investment in such sustainable food containers isworth it.