Read This First (Important)
Not all plastic is equally concerning.
The biggest issues come from:
Heat + plastic
Fatty or acidic foods + plastic
Repeated wear and breakdown
It may not be necessary to eliminate plastic completely.
Strategically remove it where it matters most.
Where Plastic Actually Matters Most
Focus your greatest effort here (high impact):
Reheating food
Storing hot food
Long-term food storage
Fatty foods (meat, sauces, oils)
Less important (don’t stress as much about these):
Brief contact (dry foods, produce)
Occasional use
Outer packaging
The goal is reducing repeated exposures
Everyday Storage (Little or No Plastic Where It Matters)
Leftovers
Meal prep
Daily storage
Ingredients / Tools
Glass containers -primary
Silicone lids or beeswax wraps (secondary)
How to Use
Store leftovers in glass whenever possible
Allow hot food to cool slightly before sealing
Use wraps/lids for bowls and produce
Why This Matters
Food sits here the longest
This is your highest-impact swap
Reheating Food (Most Important Area)
Uses
Microwave
Oven reheating
How to Use
Always reheat food in:
glass
ceramic
Do not microwave in plastic containers
Use With Care
Heat increases chemical transfer from plastic into food
Especially true with fatty foods
If you only change ONE thing
Don’t reheat foods in plastic
Practical Alternatives for Wrapping Food
Uses
Covering bowls
Wrapping sandwiches
Storing produce
Ingredients / Tools
Beeswax wraps
Parchment paper
Silicone covers/food bags
How to Use
Wrap food or cover containers
Avoid high heat when using beeswax wraps
Avoid Using On
Raw meat
Very hot foods
Cooking + Utensils
Uses
Stirring
Cooking
Food prep
Better Options
Wood
Stainless steel
Silicone (moderate heat use)
Use With Care
Avoid:
scratched plastic utensils
melting or overheated tools
These are gradual swaps, not urgent/overnight
Bottles + Liquids
Uses
Oils
Sauces
Drinks
Better Options
Glass bottles
Stainless steel water bottles
Why This Matters
Liquids, especially:
oily
acidic
interact more with plastic over time.
Make intentional and thoughtful changes. It is not necessary to have:
All glass everything
Expensive specialty systems
Zero plastic immediately
A Simple Way to Start
Pick one:
Switch out food storage containers to glass
Don’t use plastic containers or plastic wrap in the microwave (use plates as covers instead)
Replace a few high-use items
Frequently reassess and make additional adjustments
What Works Long-Term
The homes that sustain these changes:
Make small practical swaps
Focus on high-impact habits
Continuously evaluate and adapt
Where to Go Next (Coming Soon)
Plastic wrap, aluminum foil, freezer paper…and more.
Homegrown Basics: Kitchen Storage
Homegrown Basics: DIY Beeswax Wraps
