Good habits are formed early in life, and as an environmentally conscious parent, you’re probably always looking for ways to educate your kids about the need to “reduce, reuse, and recycle.” One of the easiest ways to accomplish this is to plan litter-free lunches and snacks that produce no more trash than, say, an apple core that can be taken home and composted. Food containers are also taken home, washed and reused for the next day, leaving no waste for your school or workplace.

While your first thought may be to turn to your stash of plastic containers that got passed from your mom’s kitchen to yours, think again. Plastic containers can work well to replace the litter created by plastic wrap and sandwich bags, but stainless steel is a much better, greener alternative with several important advantages over plastic or even glass, especially when deals with food storage and food safety. .

• Plastics can leach harmful chemicals into food. Stainless steel is safe, non-toxic and non-reactive even with acidic foods (such as tomatoes). Your family’s safety and health may be the most important reason you switch to stainless steel food storage.
• Stainless steel is, well, stainless. Your plastic containers will discolor and stain with use. Although steel can be scratched, it will always look clean if it is cleaned well.
• Steel does not break. Your stainless steel container may dent if dropped on a hard surface, but it won’t shatter or chip like glass, or crack like plastic would.
• Steel is a very hygienic material. Steel is not a hospital environment to harbor or encourage the growth of bacteria. It also won’t transfer odors, which is a common complaint about plastic containers.
• Stainless steel food containers can be airtight and leak proof. Featuring locking clips and silicone seals similar to those found on plastic or glass containers, some stainless steel containers are also airtight and leak-proof, perfect for transporting yogurt, sauce or dip.
• Steel is strong and durable. While steel bins can cost two to three times as much as comparable plastic bins, given how stain-resistant, hygienic, and unbreakable they are, they will easily outlast your plastic bins, proving that the initial investment was well worth it. pain. And as a bonus, you know they will be safe to pass on to your kids!
• Steel is highly recyclable. Steel is a very sustainable material and the products you buy will most likely contain at least 75% recycled steel scrap. And if for any reason you decide you don’t want the product anymore, you can recycle it endlessly. In contrast, most plastic food storage containers are not accepted in municipal recycling programs.

So start replacing your old plastic containers with stainless steel food storage containers. You’ll feel better about helping keep our planet healthy if you’re also helping keep your family healthy.