Glass Containers Are Non-Toxic. Plastic, Is It Safe Or Is It Out? Organize Containers.
Plastic Creeps Into Our Lives.
It’s so hard to keep up with the things that are bad for us now days. It seems there’s something new everyday. Have you heard all the reports that plastic is bad and we shouldn't use it in the microwave? They say plastic containers and plastic wrap is toxic with BPA in them and leaks into our food. We've all received the emails about how bad plastic is for us.
I don’t know how true this is but if I had children I wouldn't t be using plastic. This is just my opinion and it is so easy now days to change over to the glass containers, just to be on the safe side. I think it’s too late for us old folks.If you use any plastic use number 5 it is supposed to be safe for the microwave. There are food safe plastics but I still don't like plastic and don't trust it when heated in the microwave. You should be sure not to put 3 6 or 7 in the microwave such as foam cups. Glass will always be your safest choice.
I do love glass containers. Plastic is not only bad for us but it creeps into our lives and takes up huge spaces in our cupboards. Places where we could put important items, like food. You open the door and it all falls out on your head. Lids, now that’s another story trying to find the right lid for the right container. Each manufacture has a different lid and tries to figure which one fits which container can some times take more time out of your life than you need to lose. I use to say to my kids bring my container back. I remember Oprah making sure people would bring back her plastic containers. I now say “Please Don’t Bring It Back.”
Ridding the Kitchen of Plastic
Now I have started changing my kitchen. This is just one of my cupboards with plastic in it. I’m trying to get rid of plastic containers, but it seems like they just keep growing! It's time to get organized and get rid of all that plastic. They fall and pop out of the cabinet every time I open the door.
I’m not buying any more because I have so many here I don’t need to and I don't want to add more to my kitchen. We all know we have to have some for taking home leftovers with our kids but very few. When anyone takes anything home I tell them to please don't bring the plastic back.
Changing to Glass
I'm changing over to glass containers with plastic lids. They're great and pretty and better for the environment. Work good in the refrigerator for holding leftover food. I take them right out and pop them into the microwave. I don’t use the plastic lids in the microwave. I put either a paper towel, wax paper over the top of the food. When you first purchase them they are expensive but then that’s the last of the expense. You only need a few for leftover food. They're heavy they cook nicely in the microwave and they can go into the oven. They can also go in the freezer. They look good enough to go right to your table.
Changing to glass will mean less plastic in the landfills. Now if they would just get rid of those awful plastic bags for good.
You can use leftover jars or mason canning jars. I use canning jars often for more than just canning. They can be used in the microwave, put soup in them and reheat in microwave for home or take in your lunch to work. Do not put the lids in the microwave. You can reheat anything in the new mason jars. You can also bake in mason jars. I would no do this with vintage jars.
You can use cleaned out jelly jars or whatever kind of jar you have, I would only use for storage and not use in microwave. They're always so pretty I hate throwing them away. Some the glass jars can be used for measuring they have measurements on the side of the jar.
Where To Buy
There are many different brands now of glass containers. My favorites are Ziploc. I like the way they look and the lids are so much better. The colors are also nice.
Anchor Hocking is my least favorite nothing wrong with the glass but the flat red lids are terrible. I have problems getting them back on. You can see in the picture below the bottom lid is not on I just couldn't get it on. When my husband got home he has more strength to stretch the lid and got it on.
Anchor Hocking has a glass container that looks like vintage containers that were used in the 40's very nice with glass lids. They also have a nice plastic lid called TrueSeal that's different from the red ones and they work great.
I also have Pyrex and they're ok, but the lids aren't as nice but do go on easy compared to Anchor. Pyrex is now starting to make glass containers with a plastic lid and with a glass lid for baking called Pyrex Bake, Serve 'N Store 12-pc set, good idea I think. Pyrex does have some of their glass containers with stronger different plastic lids more like Ziploc lids.
You can see what they have on all their websites and check out the different types of containers they have.
The glass is now available in all the stores from Target to Wal-Mart.
That's my story about changing from plastic to glass and trying to get my kitchen a little more organized so the plastic isn't falling out of the cupboards.
Rubbermaid
The two pictures below show the Rubbermaid's new glass bowls with easy find lids, that's good, lids can get away from you real fast. I saw these at Sam's Club last week. They were $19.99 for the box.
Rubbermaid Easy Find Lids
Are You Changing to Glass?
- https://www.facebook.com/stewartlonkymd
Dr. Stewart Lonky on Toxins.
- How I Organized My Closet, Cheap.
The way I organized my closet. May work for you. - Homemaker, Housewife, Mother, How To Fixes.
Fixes around the home and garden. Fixes you can easily do.

Comments
Moonlake, For some time now I've been saving glass containers that food comes in and now I finally have a use for them. Thanks for the heads up on plastic.
Isn't it funny how we return to things? I well remember glass as being the only storage containers and then came plastic! Sure it lasts a while but don't put tomato sauce in it or you have a permanently stained container. That alone should tell us something.
This was a great idea for a hub moonlake, not only evergreen but a good warning. Lots of great tips on what kinds of new glass containers to buy as well.
Voted up, useful, and interesting.
Thank you for writing this hub, I have been thinking of switching over to glass for a while and your hub now made me even more motivated. Voted up and helpful.
I wrote an article on another site on this subject. Plastic is not safe and in addition to all the other problems, it can make you fat. Adding heat to plastic, even if only from leaving it in the sun makes it even more toxic. Did you know the cans containing fruits and vegetables, etc., metal cans, are line in plastic? Yup.
If you want to read my article on this subject you can find it by putting "C.E. Clark on Wikinut" in the Google search box. I wrote about bottled water and canned foods, etc. Plastic is definitely a health issue and I'm glad you're helping to raise questions about it in this hub.
Voted this article up and useful/interesting. Sharing it again, too.
I have never though this way. We do have lots of plastic jars as they are easy to keep, light weight and if they fall they do not break in to pieces. I always use food grade plastic but for microwave i would always use glass. Very interesting hub. Sharing it on hubpages and voting up and interesting.
Definitely want to stay away from BPA in plastic. You can get bpa free plastic, but glass is the way to go. Voted up and great article Moonlake.
Costco has a nice set of glass lidded bowls at about half the price of regular retail pricing. I think that the next time we go there we will start switching over to using more glass. Amazing what we keep learning about what is healthy & what is not. Will share again + tweet.
I have also switched to glass, just to be safe. It is a pricey initial investment, but they are so nice and pretty, too. I'm embarrassed to admit that I never considered heating with Mason jars in the microwave, but it does make sense that they would be heat proof. Will definitely try it! Thanks!
I have been thinking about switching to glass, and your Hub has made me realize how important it would be.
Plastic can be dangerous when used improperly and many of the plastic containers food items come in should not be reused no matter how tempting it might be. Plastic contains chemicals that mimic estrogen and can cause cancer when they break down either from simple washing/cleaning or placing in the microwave too many times or when never intended to be in the microwave at all. When they break down they get into your food or drink. Don't even reuse the bottles water comes in by putting more water from the faucet into them.
Interesting hub. Good advice to use glass.
moonlake, after reading this I am now more convinced than ever to stop using the plastic. It's one of those things that you know is not good for you, but it's convenient. Thank you for sharing your hub.
I never use plastic to microwave foods in. I discovered Mason jars a long time ago, and I use them for storage and preserving foods, too.
Great Hub, voted UP, etc. and will share.
Sharing this information with others. There may be some young mothers out there who are still using plastic baby bottles, etc. and they should be made aware of the potential dangers involved.
I changed to glass storage containers three years ago and have not microwaved in plastic for longer than that. My coffee cups also have been glass or vintage Pyrex style mugs, never any made outside of the U.S.A which most are. Maybe they are safe but, who knows, and I'd prefer things made in our country anyway. I appreciate your writing on this topic. I think many products have gotten to be a source of concern for children and their future.
Glass is certainly the safest. and plastic the worst. Thumbs up to this hub.
moonlake - Yes I do agree with you. Most plastics are not supposed to be used in a microwave. I would never cook anything in a microwave with plastic. Not even if it claims to be microwave safe. You're right. Any plastic will melt when it gets hot enough and get into the food.
Interesting article. Personally, I decide which plastic containers to use for food and which to toss out, based on the plastic recycle number. That code tells you what kind of plastic it's made of and if it's safe for food. It's the number you see in the little triangle under the container. You can find a list of all those codes by doing a Google search for "plastic recycle numbers."
We still have old Tupperware and I use it for freezing soups, etc. but never heat foods or needless to say, cook with it. I think that is the danger. When we grew up, they only had glass baby bottles. I think that plastic ones came along a bit later. Interesting hub.
Strange that so many years ago my dad would not let my mom use plastic, and a couple decades later look at what we find out. I don't trust any of it either, in any form. I will use left over whipped cream bowls when sending food out and to close up scraps in, so it is of some benefit but not to be trusted I am sure for most anything else to me, no matter the number. Important info!
I have never been a fan of plastic. We never had plastic cups, glasses, bowls, etc. Like you, I keep a few pieces to send food home with people but never microwave with it.
Thanks for a most enlightening Hub.
Hi, this is a good idea, I prefer glass anyway, and if plastic is dangerous then I am definitely going to change to glass, thanks for the info, nell
I hate plastic, I only use them because they are more economical for me but if I could afford it, I wound use only glass. I love the glass containers with the plastic lid.
You know, I think that is a good idea. Plastic sucks. I can't match any lids to anything any more, and I embrace a better way. I will look for the glass containers. Thanks for great ideas!
My sentiments entirely. I dislike plastic so much, it must be one of the worst inventions man has put forth. Glass is clean, does not mix eith what is kept in it. I never use the stuff in the microwave, in fact, I think there's going to be a frightening revelation about these nukers soon.
Plastic is so ugly, too, whereas glass is lovely and elegant.
My guts are all screwed up anyway
Bob
I have been using glass for at least four years now ever since the BPA issue in baby bottles. If any reader is skeptical please read the book called Death By Rubber Duck it will change your life. You will never care how heavy the grocery bags are again and you will never use plastic for anything, ever!!! Voted up.
Very good hub, I'll start to change to glass as the plastic containers to break down.
Voted up, useful and interesting, Joyce.
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