My occasional "I don't buy it" postings are not meant to be all high-n-mighty, just my musings over stuff we often buy, but might be able to make ourselves or find an alternative that is easier on the wallet and earth.
Which makes me wonder why we buy containers like Gladware. With all the packaging foods come in at the grocery store, there's probably a jar, bottle, or plastic container just screaming to be reused instead of tossed. Look in your pantry and fridge and see if you see some container you could reuse.
A while back when I talked about cutting the cord on plastics, I mentioned that I have a jar fetish. They make great left over containers, are microwaveable, and can go in the dishwasher. They don't leach carcinogens into your food either. Those plastic store bought containers say they're microwaveable, but I don't buy it. The FDA relies on the manufacturers to do the testing for approval to be called microwave safe. Under FDA rules plastic containers can leach small amounts of chemicals per use into your food and still pass inspection. But repeated exposure doesn't sound like a good idea to me, so why risk it. Plus with all my canning buddies, I have tons of jars around!
I think Portland has some of the tastiest water in the world, so I don't drink bottled water. But my husband has worked on job sites with no water on hand so he reuses glass juice jars. They do break though. I keep eyeing these LifeFactory Glass Water Bottles that are wrapped in silicone sleeve at New Seasons Market.
If you buy prepared meals in to-go containers they often can be used again. Same goes for those bulk-item containers from the olive bar and deli counters.
Anyway, just thinking about it and thought I'd share. Do you take a lunch to work? How do you pack it up?
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