When it comes to storing veggies and keeping greens fresh, single-use plastics are certainly convenient, but there’s no question of the harm they cause to the environment and our health. According to the EPA, around 14.5 million tons of plastic containers and packaging are generated annually, with only 8.7 percent of those being recycled. The rest end up in landfills where they take over 500 years to break down.
There are also concerns about certain chemicals in plastic leaching into our food resulting in serious health problems. Most of our food containers are made using polycarbonate plastics, some of which have endocrine-disrupting chemicals or EDCs like bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates which interfere with our hormone system and lead to fertility problems.
If you’re keen on protecting your health and doing your bit for the planet, then storing your food without plastic should be a priority. The biggest concern for people ditching plastic is whether their veggies and leafy greens will go bad quicker – the good news is that there are good plastic-free alternatives that can do just as well, if not better.
Here’s how to store veggies and keep leafy greens fresh without the use of plastic products.
1. Beeswax Wrap
Clingfilm wrap is great for covering leftovers or wrapping awkwardly shaped foods. Unfortunately, the material is hardly recycled and winds up in oceans poisoning marine life.
Beeswax wrap is a fantastic eco-friendly alternative. It’s made from organic cotton fabric that has been coated in a food-grade blend of beeswax, coconut oil, jojoba oil, and rosin. Unlike cling film, beeswax wrap is breathable, washable, reusable, as well as biodegradable, and compostable. It comes in different sizes that can work for almost anything and has a variety of beautiful prints and colors to boot. With proper care, it can last up to a year, saving you 24 rolls of plastic cling film a year.
2. Mason Jars
Mason jars are a mainstay in zero-waste households for good reason. They’re extremely versatile, aesthetically pleasing, non-toxic, affordable, and freezer and refrigerator safe. Since mason jars are airtight, they can keep your veggies fresher for longer. You can store chopped veggies you’ve prepped for the week.
3. Glass Storage Containers
If you’re worried that mason jars will take up too much vertical space in your refrigerator, go for bento box-style glass storage containers. They are stackable and perform safely at a variety of different temperatures, from the freezer to the microwave.
Glass is 100% recyclable and can be recycled endlessly without loss in quality or purity, which makes it a clear winner for the environment.
4. Stainless Steel
The durability of stainless steel food containers is simply unmatched. They’re not only lightweight, eco-friendly alternatives for storing food, they’re shatter-proof and guaranteed to last you for many years.
Stainless steel is highly sustainable as it is recycled perpetually without loss in quality or purity. The only downside is that stainless steel items can’t be used in a microwave.
5. Mesh Bags
Mesh bags are excellent for grocery shopping and storage. Made from natural organic fabrics, mesh bags are durable, reusable, washable, and biodegradable. They have perforated holes which allow for more air circulation and distinguishing items. You can hang full bags of potatoes, onions, and garlic for extra pantry space.
6. Tea Towels
Tea towels aren’t just for lining serving baskets and covering baked goodies, you can use them to preserve your food for longer. Wash the leafy greens, and, while still damp, spread the leave on a large tea towel, and roll them up like a jelly roll. The towel will absorb the water and keep the leaves fresh for a week.
7. Fabric Bags
While conventional plastic bags suffocate leafy greens by trapping air and ethylene gas, fabric bags are breathable and will keep them crisp and fresh for days after you put them in the refrigerator. They are typically made from organic materials such as hemp and cotton, which makes them safe, washable, and reusable.
To prolong the life of your leafy greens, keep a spray bottle of water on hand to mist the fabric bag every day or two – they should last up to seven days.
8. Reusable Silicone Bags
Food grade silicone bags are not the most sustainable option on the list, but they are a lot better than plastic bags for storing veggies. They’re reusable and safer, with no estrogen-mimicking toxins like BPA to be wary of. They’re also easy to clean and safe for the freezer, microwave, and dishwasher. Plus, they come in a variety of sizes, styles, and color options to cater to your storage needs.
9. Brown Paper Bags
Brown paper bags are making a come-back and it’s easy to see why. They’re made from recycled paper which saves trees and is compostable at the end of life.
While not as durable or waterproof, they do well at keeping dry and light vegetables like mushrooms, potatoes, shallots, and onions fresh in the pantry.
10. Wax Paper
Another environmentally friendly alternative to plastic wrap is wax paper. It has a food-grade wax coating that retains moisture and maintains the freshness of food. Consumers prefer wax paper with soybean rather than paraffin wax because they are more sustainable, biodegradable, and compostable.
Wax paper can be used safely in the microwave or freezer, but not in the oven since the material is not heat-resistant.
Tips for Storing Vegetables and Greens
Now that you know how to store your veggies and keep greens fresh without plastic, here are a few tips to help you reduce waste.
- Don’t buy vegetables in bulk. They’ll go bad after a few days no matter how well you keep them. Skip the discount and purchase only what you would need.
- Shop locally for seasonal produce. It’s good for the environment and tastes a lot better too.
- Always remove any bands or twist-ties around your veggies when you get home to allow them to breathe.
- Check up on your produce regularly. Even the slightest changes in humidity and temperature can cause wilting.
- Some vegetables don’t need refrigerating. Tomatoes do well in the pantry while sweet potatoes, garlic, onion, and potatoes will stay fresh in a dark cupboard.
- If possible, keep your crisper at least two-thirds full of your favorite leafy greens to maintain the right humidity levels.
- Store vegetables in a different part of the fridge than fruit. Fruits produce more ethylene gas (also known as the ‘ripening’ hormone), which can cause your veggies to spoil. If you can’t separate them, use airtight bags and containers.
- Revive limp vegetables and greens by soaking them in fresh water with ice cubes for a few minutes.
- Cut off the greens attached to root veggies (turnips, carrots, beets, fennels, etc.) to conserve moisture.
- Pull out the core of sturdy greens (iceberg lettuce, romaine, etc.) to keep the leaves perky.
Although plastic appears to be the most convenient way to store veggies and keep greens fresh, it comes at a major health and environmental cost. Fortunately, there are many eco-friendly alternatives within our reach that can promote a healthier lifestyle for us and the planet.
We hope this article will make your plastic-free journey a little easier.
