How to Find Food Containers

Look at the plastic containers in your refrigerator and pantry. Any container that has a No. 3 on the bottom should not be reused; it may leach phthalates into your food. Fortunately this kind of plastic is usually not used for food containers. However, plastics labeled No. 7 are often used for food and drinks. These are polycarbonate plastics, and they may be contaminated with Bisphenol-A. Do not reuse No. 7 plastics.

Look to see if you have containers labeled Nos. 1 ,2, 4 or 5. These are the relatively benign plastics, according to the Environmental Working Group. However, plastic labeled No. 1 should only be used once: this is the type of plastic frequently used in water bottles. The Gaiam website says it's safe to reuse high-density polyethylene and low-density polyethylene containers -- plastics labeled No. 2 or No. 4. Polypropylene containers, featuring plastic No. 5, are also relatively safe. Gaiam adds that most Tupperware containers are No. 4 or No. 5, although a few are No. 7.

Use some caution even when reusing safer plastics. The Environmental Working Group recommends washing them on the top rack of the dishwasher to avoid extreme abrasion, which may cause plastics to leach from containers. Avoid reheating food in the microwave in plastic containers; instead, transfer food to a ceramic or glass bowl for microwaving. Also, avoid pouring hot liquids into plastic containers. Cool leftovers before pouring into plastic containers for storage.

Get out your old mason jars and consider them as alternatives to plastic containers. These jars are fairly sturdy and hold up surprisingly well. Glass Pyrex dishes are still an excellent food storage option and are easy to find in the housewares sections of discount and big box stores. The glass is thick and rarely breaks.

Look for stainless steel food storage containers. One option is the Indian-style tiffin box, where tiers of food dishes are stacked and latched down tightly, with a handle on top. Happy Tiffin sells modern versions of these "lunch pails" as well as Bento-style stainless steel lunch boxes. These should last a lifetime. Amazon also sells LunchBots and Kids Konserve stainless steel food containers.

Look for Little Bites silicone food jars. These are free of toxic chemicals, resistant to bacterial contamination, and can be microwaved. Food can be frozen in these little jars as well. You can sew small cotton sandwich bags that will hold a sandwich just as well as a plastic bag, and it can be washed and reused safely.