I like to think I’m relatively sustainability minded in most areas of my life, but historically that hasn’t exactly been the case when it comes to my kitchen habits. My roommate and I tear through Costco-size packs of paper towels at a rate that can only be described as alarming; I am never without boxes of plastic bags and cling film in my kitchen drawer; and I’ve got an ungodly number of deli containers piled into one of my cupboards.
I’m all about utility and efficiency in the kitchen, which is why I’ve justified my single-use habits in the past—I want things like food storage and cleanup to be no-brainers so I can dedicate my attention to the actual cooking process. But with so many products on the market today geared toward replacing both plastics and single-use items, I decided to try some of the most popular eco-friendly kitchen swaps to see if any would actually stick. After over a month of testing, here are the products that have become part of my everyday routine—and the ones I quickly abandoned.
Anyday Silicone Delis
One of my first assignments when I started this job was a story for our sister site, Epicurious, about whether you should be reusing plastic take-out containers. Despite speaking with multiple scientists who cautioned against dishwashing and microwaving deli containers for fear of microplastics leaching into food, I’ve continued to do so in the years since purely because I’ve never been able to find a nonplastic food storage container that’s quite as convenient for stashing leftovers and taking on the go—that is, until I tried Anyday’s new line of silicone delis.
These containers ditch the plastic in favor of silicone while retaining the same look and benefits of classic deli containers—namely, their stackability, one-size-fits-all lid, and lightweight feel. They’re available in all of the standard deli sizes (8-, 16-, and 32-ounce), each of which are dishwasher-, microwave-, and freezer-safe and have stainless-steel-reinforced rims to help mitigate warping, sealable vents for steam release, and cup and milliliter markings on the sides for easy measuring.
I’ve been on a Sunday meal prep kick lately, and these containers have proved ideal for storing a week’s worth of food in the fridge. I’ve successfully transported containers full of saucy curries and berry-laden yogurt to the office without any leakage (a true feat!), and I love that I can microwave my food without the need to transfer it to another bowl. Dare I say I’ve officially retired my plastic take-out containers? I never thought the day would come.
If you’re looking for a simple glass food storage solution, my recommendation would be Weck Mold Jars. Unlike mason jars, these are designed to stack—a big win if you, like me, have a small kitchen with limited storage space. They also have wider mouths than standard mason jars, making them easier to fill and clean.
While the Anyday containers are great for storing prepped food in the fridge or freezer, I’ve been leaning on the Weck jars for dry goods like nuts or crispy chickpeas. I like that they’re clear so I can see exactly what’s in them and how much space is left and that many of the sizes can share the same lids. I prefer not to travel with these because their glass construction makes them heavy and potentially breakable, but on the rare occasions that I have, the rubber gasket has helped protect against any spills.
Stasher Bags
Would you believe me if I told you I haven’t touched a plastic zip-top bag since receiving a set of silicone ones from Stasher? Among packed breakfasts, lunches, and snacks, I’ve been known to run through a box of Ziplocs in record time, so I’m thrilled to have found a product that fills that need while enabling me to stop spending money on a new pack every month.
There’s a lot to love about Stasher bags. They’re leakproof, durable, dishwasher-, microwave-, and even oven-safe and made entirely of food-grade platinum silicone—but my favorite thing about them is the sheer number of shapes and sizes they come in. The flat bags are great for liquids, snacks, or sandwiches, while the stand-up bags are ideal for wider items like a hunk of sourdough or a halved butternut squash. If you’re unsure where to start, I went with the Value 15-Pack, which comes with 11 bags (enough to cover all of your bases) plus a handy drying rack and a trio of Swedish dishcloths (more on those below). A a hefty price tag of $163 may feel like a lot for a food storage solution, but given that I’ll never need to buy disposable plastic bags again, they feel well worth the investment.
Stasher Lids
I use a lot of cling film day-to-day (usually over ramekins or to wrap up cut fruits or vegetables), but several things about it irk me: It tears easily, doesn’t cling to certain surfaces, and can’t be reused. While Stasher Lids can’t be used to wrap food, they can function as airtight covers for almost any vessel. Like the Stasher bags, these are made completely of silicone and can be microwaved, cleaned in a dishwasher, or put in the oven up to 425°. Combined with the bags, they’ve effectively eliminated my need for plastic wrap, which means fewer single-use plastics in my home—and fewer frustrations in my cooking routine. I’ve been gravitating toward the circle-shaped lids, but Stasher also carries rectangle and square versions perfect for casserole dishes or pans of brownies.
What didn’t work for me
- Swedish dish cloths: Given how many rolls of paper towels my household goes through in a month, I was very eager to try these as a replacement. Made of cotton and wood pulp, Swedish dish cloths are rigid when dry, flexible when wet, and highly absorbent, equally adept at drying dishes as they are at mopping up spills. While they worked as advertised, I couldn’t get past the need to wash them out after each use, especially when I was just wiping up a tiny spill. After several weeks of trying (somewhat unsuccessfully) to force myself to reach for them instead of paper towels, I eventually abandoned the pursuit altogether.
- Beeswax wrap: I tried replacing the plastic wrap I use to store produce and cheese with beeswax wrap, which is made of beeswax-infused cotton that can stick to itself or other surfaces much in the same way plastic wrap does. While it was effective at wrapping food, I hated the sticky, waxy feeling the wrap inevitably left on my fingers (especially after washing). I’d rather opt for storing food in the Stasher bags above, which have left me with little need for food wrap of any kind.