by Alexa Hotz - June 28, 2019

Food Storage Revisited: The Plastic-Free Kitchen Kit

Plastic-Free Kitchen Kit Photo by Matthew Williams Styling by Alexa Hotz

Ditch the plastic. Not only is plastic an environmental scourge but, in the kitchen, it can negatively impact your health as well. Our advice? Pull out the plastic wrap, plastic zip baggies, and Tupperware-style containers and swap them for a food storage kit made up of durable glass, enamel, linen, cotton, and paper. Bonus: 80-percent of the goods are one-time purchase—an investment!

Here’s our list of reliable goods. Shop your own kitchen for items you may already have on hand and improvise as needed.

Plastic-Free Kitchen Kit Photo by Matthew Williams Styling by Alexa Hotz — Above: The kit laid out on the counter. Photograph by Matthew Williams; styling by Alexa Hotz for The Organized Home.

Plastic-Free Kitchen Kit Photo by Matthew Williams Styling by Alexa Hotz — Above: All elements here can be used in the refrigerator just as much as in the pantry. Photograph by Matthew Williams; styling by Alexa Hotz for The Organized Home.

1. Reusable Containers

Weck Mold Jars from The Organized Home — Above: Our jars of choice are from German brand Weck. You can source them at Schoolhouse Electric & Supply Co., Williams-Sonoma, and on Amazon. Other options are Ikea’s Korken Jars ($1.99 to $4.99 each) and Anchor Hocking Jars. Photograph from The Organized Home.

Kaico Enamel Canisters White — Above: Kaico Enamel Canisters have a silicon gasket for freshness; $45 to $55 depending on size at Greener Grass Design.

2. Linen Wrap

Ambatalia Linen Bowl Covers as part of the Remodelista Storage 75 Series — Above: The Ambatalia Linen Bowl Covers offer an alternative to single-use plastic bags for storing leftovers; $62 for a set of 5 at Ambatalia.

Ambatalia Linen Bowl Covers as part of the Remodelista Storage 75 Series — Above: The Ambatalia Medium Furoshiki Kitchen Cloth is $28 at Ambatalia.

3. Cotton Bags

Dans le Sac Bulk Bags — Above: From Quebec-based company Dans le Sac, Reusable Bulk Bags made of cotton can be used to store flour and nuts (good if you refrigerate nuts or freeze your flour) as well as some vegetables. A pack of three sizes is $10 at June Home Supply. For more on the company, see Kitchen Storage: Simple Cotton Bread and Dry Good Bags from Quebec. You can also source something similar like the Simple Ecology Cotton Muslin Produce Bag 3 pack for $12 on Amazon.

Eco Bags Large Cotton Net Market Produce Sack — Above: The Eco Bags Cotton Net Market and Produce Sack works well for storing fruit and vegetables in the refrigerator; $6.25 for the large size at the Package Free Shop. You can also find them at Wild Minimalist, the Cotton Mesh Produce Bags ($29.99 for a set of 5).

4. Clips

French Steel Clips — Above: The Aluminum Pegs (upper left) are £8 for a bag of 24 at Labour and Wait.

Ellepi White Enamel Bull Clip — Above: The Ellepi White Enamel Bull Clip is about 2-inches wide and covered in enamel, is resistant to moisture in the refrigerator; $4 each at Of a Kind.

5. Waxed Paper and Cheesecloth

If You Care All Natural Waxed Paper — Above: The If You Care All Natural Unbleached Waxed Paper is $8.54 at Amazon.

If You Care Sub/Mini Baguette Sandwich Bags — Above: The If You Care Sub/Mini Baguette Sandwich Bags are $6.63 for a pack of 48 on Amazon.

Regency Cheesecloth Cotton — Above: The Regency Cheese Cloth made of cotton can be used to wrap actual cheese in and for storing other sundries and produce; $5.99 on Amazon.

6. Tape (for Labeling)

MT Washi Tape Pale Yellow — Above: We like MT Washi Tape for labeling containers in the refrigerator or pantry. The Pastel Yellow Washi Tape seen here is £2.75 at Fox + Star.

For more ideas on organizing your kitchen, see:

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