With Earth Day right around the corner, there’s never been a better time to start thinking of small, sustainable lifestyle changes you can make that will have a big impact on your environmental footprint and your health. One of these simple changes can be found in the kitchen. This year, consider getting rid of all those plastic containers and bottles and make the switch to glass. Here are some of the best reasons to use glass bottles and containers over plastic, as well as some tips for choosing the right glass for every use.
Glass is environmentally friendly
Plastic bottles are difficult to recycle, clutter up landfills, and leach toxins into the soil. They also have a brief lifespan that is made shorter by extended use or temperature fluctuations. In contrast, glass can be used forever. If the glass happens to break, you can recycle it with ease.
- Up to 80 percent of all recycled glass can be reclaimed.
- Recycled glass uses 40 percent less energy than manufacturing new glass.
- Recycling doesn’t compromise glass’ quality or structure and no toxins are produced in its recycling.
- Glass is made from naturally abundant materials and won’t degrade over time.
You can reheat, rewash, reuse, and recycle glass containers infinitely – definitely a green, sustainable practice that saves you a little green while preserving the environment.
Glass is Safe
Plastics leach chemicals when they undergo temperature fluctuations, causing toxins to migrate from the container to the food when you reheat a dish in the microwave. In contrast, glass is non-porous, so its surface can’t absorb food particles or germs, nor can it leach chemicals to food. By nature, glass is free from BPA and other hazardous chemicals found in plastic containers.
Tempered glass can be moved between the fridge and stove without fear of shattering. You have to be careful with non-tempered glass, as it can shatter with extreme temperature changes, but it is still a viable option for storing food or beverages at stable temperatures. Most glass bottles and containers are safe for the dishwasher and microwave, plus can be stored just as easily as plastic containers.
Glass just makes everything taste better.
If you’re like most people, you may find that food and beverages simply taste better in glass. This is because glass is non-permeable and won’t absorb color, odor or taste. Glass is the natural choice for better tasting beverages.
What to look for when switching to glass:
This is going to depend on how you intend to use the glass. If you want to store leftovers or use it to cook, look for oven-proof, freezer-safe tempered glass. You can use re-purposed glass jars to hold dried goods, spices, snacks, salads, and more. We find that mason canning jars make wonderful containers for beans, rice, pastas, granola, and other pantry staples.
Most glass storage containers come with plastic or silicone lids. Look for options don’t contain BPA or PVC, and be sure to remove these kinds of lids before heating up the container. It’s also a good idea to invest in air-tight jars with locking lids to keep leftovers from going bad.
If you want to store beverages, the options for glass water bottles are plentiful. We, of course, recommend Glasstic Shatterproof bottles, as these can be taken anywhere (and we have an awesome sale going on right now for Earth Day). Using a reusable glass bottle also benefits the environment. Bottled water creates enormous quantities of waste. You’ll save money and the planet’s resources when you stop drinking bottled water.
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