5 Storage Container Materials to Consider for Sustainability
These earth-friendly materials can help you get organized
As a professional home organizer, a big (and fun) part of my job is finding the right storage solutions for my clients. Storage must be convenient and appropriate, so that items are accessible as well as easy to keep tidy and organized.
Often, the function of the items and the way in which the owner uses them dictate which type of storage container makes the most sense. The right option can vary from transparent to opaque, and may be lidded or open, shallow or deep. And of course, containers must fit in with the clients’ tastes and decor.
Often, the function of the items and the way in which the owner uses them dictate which type of storage container makes the most sense. The right option can vary from transparent to opaque, and may be lidded or open, shallow or deep. And of course, containers must fit in with the clients’ tastes and decor.
Plastic containers are a popular choice and come with many benefits. They are lightweight, transparent, available in a multitude of sizes, and are relatively sturdy and durable. They also stack well and can typically be arranged to minimize wasted space. In some situations, plastic may be the best solution. For example, when storing seasonal decorations, a large, pest-impenetrable, plastic lidded tub may be ideal.
However, plastic isn’t the most environmentally friendly option. Even when we responsibly dispose of our plastic products in the recycling bin, many of those plastics may not actually end up being recycled, because of facility incapability. They may in fact end up in our landfills and oceans, endangering humans and wildlife.
Fortunately, in most cases there are more earth-friendly alternatives. Here are a few options I like.
However, plastic isn’t the most environmentally friendly option. Even when we responsibly dispose of our plastic products in the recycling bin, many of those plastics may not actually end up being recycled, because of facility incapability. They may in fact end up in our landfills and oceans, endangering humans and wildlife.
Fortunately, in most cases there are more earth-friendly alternatives. Here are a few options I like.
1. Glass
Glass isn’t biodegradable and if tossed in the trash may never decompose. However, when recycled properly, glass can be manufactured into new products over and over again, making it a great sustainable choice.
Glass is particularly good for food storage and pantry items. It’s a food-safe material and won’t leach toxic chemicals. It won’t absorb food odors or colors. Plus, you can safely heat food in a glass container in the microwave.
That said, if your containers need to tolerate heat — perhaps in the oven for baking, or if you load very hot food directly into them — you’ll need tempered glass containers to prevent the glass from cracking or shattering. I also recommend stackable glass food storage to save space.
If typical glass feels too heavy for you, consider borosilicate glass. Borosilicate glass is lighter in weight, thinner, more heat-resistant and stronger than the more common soda-lime glass. The only disadvantage is that it costs more because it’s more expensive to manufacture.
Mason or canning jars are an inexpensive soda-lime glass option. I use the wide-mouthed versions for leftover stews and soups or for pantry items such as nuts and dried fruit. Some store-bought foods and sauces are sold in mason jars that can be reused. And if, like me, you don’t appreciate the fussiness of two-piece canning lids or branded lids, you can replace them with simple one-piece lids. These lids are available in different colors or materials that can give your jars a uniform, intentional appearance.
Glass isn’t biodegradable and if tossed in the trash may never decompose. However, when recycled properly, glass can be manufactured into new products over and over again, making it a great sustainable choice.
Glass is particularly good for food storage and pantry items. It’s a food-safe material and won’t leach toxic chemicals. It won’t absorb food odors or colors. Plus, you can safely heat food in a glass container in the microwave.
That said, if your containers need to tolerate heat — perhaps in the oven for baking, or if you load very hot food directly into them — you’ll need tempered glass containers to prevent the glass from cracking or shattering. I also recommend stackable glass food storage to save space.
If typical glass feels too heavy for you, consider borosilicate glass. Borosilicate glass is lighter in weight, thinner, more heat-resistant and stronger than the more common soda-lime glass. The only disadvantage is that it costs more because it’s more expensive to manufacture.
Mason or canning jars are an inexpensive soda-lime glass option. I use the wide-mouthed versions for leftover stews and soups or for pantry items such as nuts and dried fruit. Some store-bought foods and sauces are sold in mason jars that can be reused. And if, like me, you don’t appreciate the fussiness of two-piece canning lids or branded lids, you can replace them with simple one-piece lids. These lids are available in different colors or materials that can give your jars a uniform, intentional appearance.
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2. Stainless Steel
Like glass, stainless steel isn’t biodegradable but is 100% recyclable. It’s lightweight, resistant to corrosion and nonreactive. (This last quality means that the material won’t react to acids in foods stored or cooked in it — for example, the acidity of tomatoes.)
There are many stainless steel options for canisters (like this one), lunch containers, cookware, straws and more. One disadvantage is that the opaque nature of the metal can make it hard to keep track of what’s inside. However, the material can also provide a clean, simple look without the distraction of the container’s contents.
For food prep or storage, be sure to select a high-quality, food-grade stainless steel such as Type 316, or Type 304, which may also be labeled 18/8 or 18/10.
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Like glass, stainless steel isn’t biodegradable but is 100% recyclable. It’s lightweight, resistant to corrosion and nonreactive. (This last quality means that the material won’t react to acids in foods stored or cooked in it — for example, the acidity of tomatoes.)
There are many stainless steel options for canisters (like this one), lunch containers, cookware, straws and more. One disadvantage is that the opaque nature of the metal can make it hard to keep track of what’s inside. However, the material can also provide a clean, simple look without the distraction of the container’s contents.
For food prep or storage, be sure to select a high-quality, food-grade stainless steel such as Type 316, or Type 304, which may also be labeled 18/8 or 18/10.
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3. Bamboo and Natural Fibers
Bamboo has become a popular sustainable option across home and fashion products, from storage bins to utensils, cutting boards to flooring, furniture to clothing. Bamboo is sustainable and renewable due to its fast growth. It’s also sturdy, durable, biodegradable and compostable.
Small bamboo trays and bins work well to organize vanity, desk and kitchen drawers.
Bamboo has become a popular sustainable option across home and fashion products, from storage bins to utensils, cutting boards to flooring, furniture to clothing. Bamboo is sustainable and renewable due to its fast growth. It’s also sturdy, durable, biodegradable and compostable.
Small bamboo trays and bins work well to organize vanity, desk and kitchen drawers.
Baskets made from natural fibers such as bamboo, rattan, sisal and seagrass are great sustainable and renewable options to store large and loose items such as stuffed animals, sports balls, rolled-up artwork or throw blankets.
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4. Fiberboard or Cardboard
Organizing with fiberboard or cardboard boxes can be a lot of fun since these containers come in many different colors, sizes and patterns. This storage container material works very well for organizing home offices. In fact, many companies make office-specific fiberboard and cardboard products (like this fiberboard box), including magazine files, photo boxes, file boxes and letter trays. Typically, these products are made with recycled materials, and they may also be recyclable. For photos and sentimental papers, archival boxes made with acid- and lignin-free materials would be best.
Organizing with fiberboard or cardboard boxes can be a lot of fun since these containers come in many different colors, sizes and patterns. This storage container material works very well for organizing home offices. In fact, many companies make office-specific fiberboard and cardboard products (like this fiberboard box), including magazine files, photo boxes, file boxes and letter trays. Typically, these products are made with recycled materials, and they may also be recyclable. For photos and sentimental papers, archival boxes made with acid- and lignin-free materials would be best.
5. Silicone
While I don’t consider silicone to be entirely earth-friendly — it’s not biodegradable or easily recycled — it’s durable, washable and reusable and may therefore help you replace other products that end up in the trash. For instance, one silicone bag can potentially do the work of hundreds or thousands of single-use plastic zipper storage bags. Personally, I’ve replaced my disposable plastic straws with silicone ones and love having only a few straws to store and never thinking about restocking. (For parties, I purchase compostable sugar cane straws, which hold up just as well as plastic straws, unlike their soggy paper counterparts.)
Silicone is highly heat-resistant and can be molded into any shape during manufacturing, which means there are a lot of applications for this material in the kitchen. I find silicone bowl covers useful and convenient and a great substitute for plastic wrap. Do keep in mind that not all silicone is created equal, and only food-safe silicone products should be purchased for food storage.
Silicone products last a long time. When they need to be retired, they can be recycled but most likely will need to be sent to a specialized recycling company. Silicone is rarely acceptable in your residential recycling bin.
While I don’t consider silicone to be entirely earth-friendly — it’s not biodegradable or easily recycled — it’s durable, washable and reusable and may therefore help you replace other products that end up in the trash. For instance, one silicone bag can potentially do the work of hundreds or thousands of single-use plastic zipper storage bags. Personally, I’ve replaced my disposable plastic straws with silicone ones and love having only a few straws to store and never thinking about restocking. (For parties, I purchase compostable sugar cane straws, which hold up just as well as plastic straws, unlike their soggy paper counterparts.)
Silicone is highly heat-resistant and can be molded into any shape during manufacturing, which means there are a lot of applications for this material in the kitchen. I find silicone bowl covers useful and convenient and a great substitute for plastic wrap. Do keep in mind that not all silicone is created equal, and only food-safe silicone products should be purchased for food storage.
Silicone products last a long time. When they need to be retired, they can be recycled but most likely will need to be sent to a specialized recycling company. Silicone is rarely acceptable in your residential recycling bin.
As always, a good rule to follow when considering your carbon footprint is to reduce, reuse and recycle. For any effective recycling to occur, items must be properly sorted according to your local facility, so be sure to do your due diligence and learn about your local recycling regulations.
I confess that I do have my fair share of plastic storage in my home. Most of these products were purchased many years before I understood the impact of plastics on the planet, and some of them were purchased because it was the best solution for my needs. I am now conscious when selecting replacements or new storage, and where possible I will opt for a nonplastic product. I balance the environmental impact, function, aesthetic and planned longevity to end up with the most appropriate and responsible option.
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I confess that I do have my fair share of plastic storage in my home. Most of these products were purchased many years before I understood the impact of plastics on the planet, and some of them were purchased because it was the best solution for my needs. I am now conscious when selecting replacements or new storage, and where possible I will opt for a nonplastic product. I balance the environmental impact, function, aesthetic and planned longevity to end up with the most appropriate and responsible option.
More on Houzz
Read more organizing stories
Browse millions of photos for inspiration
Work with a professional organizer
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Judy StJohn