People, Plastic and Food

[Aseries]

It never ceased to amaze me how people dont care about how there food is stored in plastic. Firstly, it leaches chemicals, you should never microwave anything in it, and its like a plague. Its in everything.

A friend last week was questioning my GF about my use of plastic and how I take everything out of the plastic and put most things in glass containers. Hence owning mass amounts of Mason Jars allows me to do that, and saving old jars.

I find it odd that someone would think I'm weird cause I put everything I get into glass containers. They think its weird I take the spices and put them in glass spice Jars, juice in glass containers, I look for anything that isnt made in plastic containers. I'm even working on buying giant glass containers for my vinegar I buy. I just hate plastic...

Dont we have enough crap in our food already, that mainstream media has brainwashed everyone to thinking, sure its safe. Just dont ask why your neighbors kids have 1000 allergies, or cancer is so wide spread. Never mind why we cant drink water from wells anymore... But its ok use plastic, we will never run out of oil. I know so many people who believe this its not funny...

I cleaned out more Jars this week and transfered more stuff from plastic containers and it was amazing to see all the Junk. All the garbage it makes, and half of it will probably end up in land fill. I think at least if they sold it in Mason Jars, people could still use it, not to mention bring them back for reuse... I think reuse should be todays motto, more than recycle..

Just my rant, whats your thoughts...

[kaijafon]

definitely a rant worthy of reading! Now I'm going to go shudder, cause I am in the middle of transferring my food storage into plastic containers! lol!

On a side note, it is hard to find any glass containers here! Even mayo is being packaged in plastic jars! SIGH! Even yard sales and flea markets are in short supply here!

I'm using BPA free containers (or so they say!)! so maybe they will last until I find the appropiate glass containers. :)

thanks for the reminder!

[Aseries]

I use Mason Jars for everything, and when I run out check this place out:

http://www.fillmorecontainer.com/

they got every size known to man... they sell extra lids should you find glass Jars without no lids, they are great for replacing Jar lids, for Lug lids on most commerical Jars...

The only problem I have is Mason Jars all look the same, so I use a black marker to write on the Jar. I also bought the Vacume sealer Jar and I vacume seal the dry goods in glass Jars. I reuse the used lids for that purpose....

Enjoy

[MotherCharlotte]

I agree, plastic touches our food much more than I would like. Have you ever taken a piece of plastic wrap and had a good whiff? The chemical smell is quite strong with certain brands. So, if those chemicals can waft up to your nose so easily, they are also leaching into your food. Not a pleasant thought.

Over the past few years I have been trying to use glass more. I bought some glass "tupperware" type of containers for leftovers (although they still have plastic lids, but at least they don't touch the food), I bought some stainless steel canteens for drinking out of when we go for walks or hikes, and I store most dry goods in glass or metal canisters, or mason jars.

As an aside, mason jars also make great drinking glasses, I have found. I loathe drinking water out of a plastic cup--I can always taste the plastic.

[NCLee]

The more it takes over my life the more I HATE plastic! And it's not only food related.

Shop tools with plastic gears that fail.
Plastic gas tanks on yard/garden equipment that leak.
Tools with cheap plastic handles.
Plastic trim on everything from houses to cars that discolors and cracks.

I sorely miss the days when cider vinegar came in glass jugs. Mayo, mustard, catsup, and so much more came in re-usable glass jars. Clorox came in beautiful brown jugs and bottles. Alka-Seltzer (if memory serves) and Vic's Vapor Rub came in beautiful blue glass containers.

Especially dispise bubble wrap packages that take a chain saw to open. Then all that packaging that has to go to the landfill, instead of starting a fire in the woodstove with it. Additionally, sometimes I'm sure the product I'm buying costs twice as much, as it should, because of all that plastic surrounding it.

Another "hate" are all those cheap plastic toys for kids. A few minutes of play and they become junk that litters lawns and living rooms. No wonder metal toys are so prized by collectors. Even the rusty ones bring top dollar. FWIW, when I was a kid, toys were "real". Meaning that if I got a toy tool set, the tools could actually be used to create something. The hammer would drive a nail, pliers could remove a nut, and so on....

Now for food. :) Even if you grow your own! Plastic milk buckets. Plastic chicken feeders. Plastic bags and bottles, even for "organic" fertilizers, bug sprays and such. Plastic weed barriers. The list can go on.

Can't get away from the stuff, even when beans come in a can, instead of a plastic bag. The can is lined with plastic! If it still comes in glass (local BBQ sauce, for example), the bottle cap is plastic.

Further, just as I'm tired of paying meat prices for water (flavor enhanced), I"m tired of paying meat prices for plastic packaging, liquid absorbing liners, and such. Used to have to pay for a piece of butcher's paper when the meat was weighed. With the volume involved, there's no way to calculate how much profit is hidden in the sale of meats with all that plastic containment.

A few years ago, I send the majority of my stash of glass mayo jars, peanut butter jars, and more to recycling, because I needed the storage space for something else. Now, I'm kicking myself for every jar that went into those plastic trash bags.

In closing, if we could go back to the days before plastics began to rule our lives, especially the throw-away stuff, a big chunk of our oil supply problem would be solved. Don't forget to count the "hidden" plastics like the interior walls of your refrigerator, inside your couch, "threads" in your rugs, and the "bumpers" on your car.

Lee

[MotherCharlotte]

Great post, Lee. You're absolutely right. Plastic is in EVERYTHING now and it's well nigh impossible to avoid it.

I have a particular gripe with plastic toys. I think it's downright cruel of manufacturers to make cheap plastic toys that they know will break virtually right out of the box, because the children are so upset and disappointed when this inevitably happens. When I was a child, I opened presents on Christmas morning, had fun with them, and continued to have fun with them until those toys were passed on to my younger sisters. Now, my poor kids open gifts on Christmas morning, only to have them broken by Christmas evening. This happens every year, and it's ALWAYS with something plastic made in China.

This year, both of my sons received remote control cars which they were so excited about! My 2 year old's car stopped working about an hour after he opened it (it just spins in circles whether the controller is even used or not) and my 5 year old's car literally fell apart that evening. The wheels wouldn't even stay on it. Both boys were crushed, and I was so angry! Not at my sister for buying the cars, but at the manufacturers who I am sure knew that would happen.

We bought our son a plastic piggy bank that calculates how much money is put into it. It too, was broken on Christmas evening. Dh was able to reset it, but it doesn't calculate the money properly which causes my son (who just turned 6) stress and worry! Why can't they ever make anything that works?

We try to avoid plastic toys, and every year, the few things my kids get made of plastic are the few things that break. We took matters into our own hands though, and started making our own wooden toys, and it grew into a business too. Now we make most of our kids' toys--with NO plastic!

[OldSchool]

After throwing toys away on a regular basis, I've tried to use that to teach the kids about long term value, and not wasting our money on something that will be thrown away within the first six months. Many quality made items will last 10 or 20(or more) years if taken care of. But when you're 8 years old & really want THAT car...

I try to ask "will this be thrown away in the next six months?" when we are purchasing something. Helps put it in perspective.

[Aseries]

I think the real problem also lies in the break down of plastic, those toys, those threads, those wrappers, are all going to break down, and leach into the soil of our yards, we breathe them. Why dont we just eat motor oil and speed up the process.

When it comes to things I need for my kitchen, I try to buy stainless steel, or glass. At least glass doesnt polute the soil and air. You can smash it up to tiny particles and it will just sit there for 1000 years and become part of the soil. Plastic, it will get in the soul and destroy everything, water, air, kill us...

I went to an auction a month or two ago and surprised I got two old green glass prune juice jars. I found out through ebay they were sold as reusable refrigerator jars. Both got metal caps. I use them for water in the fridge.

The other problem with plastic for food is the shelf life is even less. I used to sell apple juice in small glass jars, now they are in plastic containers, the shelf life went from over a year, to less than 6 months. And believe me they go bad in that amount of time.

Toys, and things I try to buy metal shovels, metal tools, at least metal can be welded, parts can be made or fixed. You cant weld plastic, you can crazy glue it, but the stuff today as already stated is so garbage it wont even hold glue.

I also warn people about dollar store plastics. I give some credit to Tupperware(not much) they at least use higher grade plastic, but some of the crap they sell at dollar stores. I wouldnt store my tools in them, you can smell the chemicals as if it were dripping from it. And people are like oh look there only a dollar.

I buy anchor hocking glass with plastic lids for putting food in my fridge or microwave. Plastic lid is fine, plus its made in the USA. One of the few companies still left in USA making Glass items. I think if we went back to glass and metal on alot of things, and reused them, jobs would stay here. Wouldnt solve everything but, it would put a few jobs back where they belong..

I hate plastic

[sweetsadie]

It is nice to know that I am not the only one that hates plastic. For the last six months I have been cleaning out my house of all plastic. Everybody thinks I am nuts, but, so be it. :man_in_love:

[mozarkian]

Found a box of "junk" glass at a yard sale last summer for a buck-- had 2 of the old peanut butter jars in it that have the measuring lines on them. They are my favorite measuring cups.

[Bondo]

So I am sitting here reading this on my lunch break, eating my chili from the plastic rubber-maid container, and wondering how do I solve this, what do I use to bring my lunch in that is not plastic? So, what could be used to replace my plastic bowel with a lid that I bring my lunch in every day? It is a real dilemma.

On thing I have found that I like is the glass container used for Santa-cruz Organics juices. Good stuff, and glass bottle with a metal (plastic lined I think) lid. I bring me a quart of iced tea to work every day in one.

[aprilconnett]

Bondo,

Pack your food in a canning jar, and heat it up in a "paper" bowl. Or keep a bowl at work and wash it after you eat. Don't forget to keep a real spoon, too.

[Aamylf]

I got rid of all styrofoam cups, plastic flatware, paper plates, styrofoam bowls, etc. at work under the pretense of 'going green' -- "borrowed" a set of plates and cups which hadn't sold, from the Goodwill store part of our building as well as flatware. Honestly, it wasn't so much 'green' as it was 'health' but people would have looked at me like I was insane if I'd said that (and they look at me that way frequently as it is.)

the only thing I prefer about plastic is it isn't as heavy as really good glass and my getting-to-be-arthritic hands are pleased.

[NCLee]

So I am sitting here reading this on my lunch break, eating my chili from the plastic rubber-maid container, and wondering how do I solve this, what do I use to bring my lunch in that is not plastic? So, what could be used to replace my plastic bowel with a lid that I bring my lunch in every day? It is a real dilemma.

On thing I have found that I like is the glass container used for Santa-cruz Organics juices. Good stuff, and glass bottle with a metal (plastic lined I think) lid. I bring me a quart of iced tea to work every day in one.


How about a wide mouth glass lined Thermos bottle? Heat the contents before you leave home, so you don't have to deal with a plastic bowl. I used to carry my coffee to work, for years in one of the narrow mouth bottles. Better half carried iced tea, instead of coffee. Don't know if they still make them, but at one time there was a version that was short and designed for a bowl of soup, chili, etc.

Sometimes flea markets have the old fashioned lunch boxes with a Thermos. Stay clear of the cute ones that were made for school kids -- they're collectable and high dollar now. You'll have better luck with the more manly ones designed to be taken to work.

Wrap your bread and or sandwichs in waxed paper, freezer paper, parchment paper, or aluminum foil. Mom used to wrap our sandwiches in a paper napkin.

If you use one of those insulated lunch bags (various styles) or one of the small coolers (believe they're designe to hold a 6-pack), then take your soup/chili, etc in a canning jar. Keep it either hot or cold. If cold heat in the jar to eat. Just don't over do the heating, as heating to boiling isn't needed and can make a mess.

To help you decide how you want to get rid of plastic that's associated with brown-bagging lunch, use the kids on Little House as your inspiration. They took their lunch to school in a bucket, covered with a dish towel. You're probably be able to come up with a little more "modern" equivalent.

Hope these thoughts help.
Lee

[Aseries]

If your looking for a good lunch pail that will outlast the crappy plastic ones, do like I did I got myself a Tiffon box made of stainless, there amazing you can buy multi tier ones, and there less than $30. If your wondering what they look like check this site out as an example

http://www.lunchboxes.com/tiffin-box.html

I didnt order from here but it will give you an idea, they also make great mouse proof containers. I put other stuff on them also..

enjoy

[Aamylf]

Very cool. I immediately thought, "Ah, the British version of a Bento Box..." and there it was Mr. and Ms. Bento! I bring lunch 4 out of 5 days (and treat myself to Japenese or something I don't make at home one day) so I might actually treat myself to one of these. Really great. Thank you for posting.

[Dayzee]

If your looking for a good lunch pail that will outlast the crappy plastic ones, do like I did I got myself a Tiffon box made of stainless, there amazing you can buy multi tier ones, and there less than $30. If your wondering what they look like check this site out as an example

http://www.lunchboxes.com/tiffin-box.html

I didnt order from here but it will give you an idea, they also make great mouse proof containers. I put other stuff on them also..

enjoy

Cool! That is probably where "lunch buckets" got their name!

[Bondo]

I will definitely have to look for one of those Thermos's for soup! Great idea!

[BWHLover]

The only plastic I have left for food storage is "Folgers Coffee Cans" for opened packages, also moving to glass.

I do have to admit I have a stash of "plastic utensils & blows", however these are not used. They are being saved for SHTF Flu if I need to feed a family member and need to dispose of them.

[Aseries]

I got some things that are still plastic, but as I find glass replacements, I shift them out. I'm learning wire bale jars are the bomb lol.. I dont find many older ones but I been finding alot of newer ones, all missing the rubber gasket on them. I have about 100 replacement gaskets for them lol....

What ever happened to folgers in #10 cans, those were useful now they come in scrappy plastic. At least you knew the folgers would last longer in the tins.

[NCLee]

Yep, made me :mad: when coffee switched from cans to plastic. Same thing when mayo, and gallon jugs of vinegar made the switch. No wonder oil prices are going up, considering all the (landfill destined) plastic in use today.

Today I save #10 vegetable cans, opened with a side cutting can opener. Useful for a lot of things. And, if the need arises, the lid can be sealed with food grade silicone or taped closed with aluminum duct tape.

Like you, I latch onto every one of those wire bale (both glass and ceramic) containers that I run across at a decent price. Where did you find your gaskets? I need some replacements, as a few of mine are getting in bad shape.

Lee

[Aseries]

I get the Jar Gaskets here at Canadian Tire there like $1.89 or something per box, they are the red ones they sell online for $4.99 a pack. I looked everywhere for them online and low and behold I found them down the road cheaper. I also got the bigger white gaskets that are a little bigger from a bunch of old jars someone was using but they didnt use the lids or the gasgets. Plus I picked up a bunck of them on ebay.

If you need some of the red gaskets cheap, check out Canadian Tires website there cheap. I can always pick you some up and ship them to you. The red ones dont work on all the jars. Some of the odd size gaskets I just use gasket rubber and make my own using the red ones as a template..

They are not easy to find though gaskets, so when I get see them I buy them up...

I also forgot, I also used glass iced tea bottles for storing stuff, they have the lug lids. They are good for small items, like spices and what not. They also make good reusable water bottles.

[NCLee]

Thanks for the heads up on gaskets, including make your own.

A FWIW thought I'd had, but haven't tried. Use an existing gaskets to draw a template. Put under a piece of plastic wrap. Put clear 100% silicone caulk on it, covering the template. Top with another piece of plastic and smooth out. Let cure. Peel off plastic. Use a pair of scissors to trim to fit.

Again, thanks. I need to get looking & stop putting off this item on my to-do list.

Lee