We're finally seeing New Zealand start to take positive steps towards sustainability. Plastic bags, cutlery, straws, wraps and bottles are becoming a thing of the past, so if you haven't made the switch to a more sustainable alternative, our lovely staff at A Good Store have put together this guide to the best possible stainless steel food storage solutions.
If there is just one top zero-waste living tip I can give, it has to be changing your plastic storage containers to sustainable, durable stainless steel ones.
I make sure that the food storage containers and water bottles that the kids take to school (and that I use at home and take to work) are waste-free. For our family, the best sustainable storage solution is stainless steel. From stainless steel water bottles to lunch boxes, I have swapped out all of our old plastics for eco-friendly metal options. They are more durable, last longer and resistant to mould and rust, which is a must to best the humidity in New Zealand.
Why stainless steel?
We choose stainless steel food storage lunchboxes and water bottles rather than plastics for a number of reasons.
Good for the environment
Most single-use plastics, like the ones used for water bottles, takeaway food containes, and plastic zip lock snack bags, can take hundreds or even thousands of years to break down in landfill. Stainless steel, on the other hand, is reusable and durable, meaning you can use it again and again without contributing to our growing landfill problem in New Zealand.
Do you also know that stainless steel can be fully recycled at the end of its life? Without any degradation. Even rusted stainless steel (happens on low-grade stainless steel) can be recycled without a problem. Just take them to your local scrap metal dealers or metal fabricators. You might even get a few dollars back!
If looked after properly, a stainless steel container bought from A Good Store can last you a lifetime!
Toxin-free
We also choose stainless steel food storage containers, bento lunchboxes and water bottles for their toxin-free benefits.
It's been widely reported that plastics containing BPA (Bisphenol A) or Phthalates may have negative effects on our health, so choosing a food-grade or 304 grade stainless steel food storage solution can help to give you and your family peace of mind about what you're putting your food in.
Stainless steel water bottles
A Good Store Stainless Steel Insulated Drink Bottle holds 350ml or 750ml of water and come with a beautiful minimalist design! These lightweight yet durable bottles are made from food-grade 304 stainless steel, will never leach or retain flavours, are ergonomically designed and are completely BPA-free.
Stainless steel bento lunch boxes
We also have sturdy, food-grade, stainless steel lunch boxes with easy-to-use, flip-up side clips. Best of all, they all come with a leak proof lid, which means no mess in your bag anymore!
The Stainless Steel Bento Styled Lunch Box with 3 Compartments is perfect for every day lunches and sandwiches, while the 1.3 Litre Lunch Box - Double Decker Regular 2 Tier Tiffin Lunchbox is perfect for keeping dry food fresh and separate from fruit and salads. There's also a 1.9 Litre Double Decker Large 2 Tier Tiffin Lunchbox for when you have a huge shared lunch or are headed to a family picnic! The Stainless Steel lunchbox 2 Compartments with Removable Divider is your perfect BYO container for takeaway food! The divider can be easily positioned wherever needed to suit your food for the day.
Stainless steel meal prep food storage containers
The stainless steel food storage containers from our A Good Store is a must-have in your kitchen. The "Travelling Trio" - Nesting stainless steel food storage container set (set of 3) contains a set of 3 containers: small (1/4 cup), medium (1/3 cup) and large (1 cup). They come in two colours: orange and blue. Handy for packing dipping sauce, salad dressing, soup, frozen fruits.
The “Suitcase” - Stainless Steel Leakproof Food Container {rectangle} is a rectangle size leakproof container that can store left over meat or salad. It will never leach or retain flavours and is completely BPA-free. The silicone leak-proof, non-porous lid will make sure foods stay fresh longer inside.