The freezer is plastic’s final frontier. It’s difficult to keep food free of nasty freezer burn and icicle-growth without somehow bringing in the saran wrap and plastic bag combo! Never fear, Force of Nature is here with our top tips on how to make your freezer plastic-free without sacrificing your food.
Our Top 3 Tips For a Plastic-Free Freezer
1. Rethink Freezer Storage Timelines
One way to keep food from developing freezer burn is to actually defrost and eat it!
We are totally guilty of this but remember: your freezer is not a food time machine that can preserve food for millennia. Think of it as a good place to keep your broccoli and tots frozen for 3 months and then it’s probably time to toss it. Here’s a great guide from the FDA on how long different food types will keep in the fridge and freezer. So start by tossing all the wrinkled old peas your kids don’t eat anyway and organize it by types of food so you can clearly see your ground beef, soup, and french fries when you get a hankering. It’s easier to keep your freezer plastic-free if you’re not trying to keep the dry, cold air off those rib-eyes until 2050.
2. Choose Plastic-Free Freezer Storage
Plastic is not the only game in town! Here are some materials you might not have thought of that can help you keep your freezer plastic-free and without sacrificing your food.
- Glass: glass containers like mason jars are a great way to freeze soup, sauces, and stews; just leave an inch or so at the top to save room for the food to expand. You can freeze them with the lids off at first and then add ½ inch of water on top of the frozen food to further seal the contents, just rinse that water seal layer off with warm water before defrosting.
- Metal: Did you know you can throw open cans of food in the freezer to freeze the contents? It’ll keep it for longer than it would in the fridge (where you inevitably toss that last ½ can of tomato sauce away)! These containers are airtight and watertight and can be used for freezing as well.
- Aluminum Foil: Aluminum foil can be reused and is a great way to preserve food in the freezer! Just make sure to wrap it tightly to avoid holes for air to get in and you can also seal up with freezer tape to keep things extra-secure!
- Paper: For 2-3 weeks, paper will do the trick. Butcher paper is a great first layer and waxed paper is even better. Throw a little freezer tape on there to keep it extra-air tight.
- Nothing! For whole fruits and berries, just lay them on a baking sheet and freeze for a taste of summer whenever you crave it (just remember tip #1…). Once frozen, you can keep in a silicone, glass or metal container. This is a great way to save those almost-rotten bananas that are so perfect for banana bread, plus the peel slides right off once defrosted!
3. Remind Yourself Of The Truth About Plastic
It’s easier to stay motivated to resist plastic’s ease by remembering just how bad it is. Plastic is a serious issue for our environment. It kills our wildlife, it doesn’t biodegrade, and it has turned into a floating island. If that’s not bad enough, it’s also a serious health hazard. Plastic containers and bags leach chemicals into the food that’s being stored in it (even in the freezer) exposing you and your family to health risks. BPA-free plastic may be just as dangerous.
Learn More About Force of Nature
We love researching and learning about great ways to help our customers keep toxin-free homes (like reading this post on 10 Plastic-Free Freezer Storage Containers To Detox Your Kitchen!). Our passion for educating our customers comes from the fact that we’re parents ourselves, trying to do the right thing for our families and our planet. It’s also why we created our revolutionary cleaning system Force of Nature, a natural and toxin-free solution to cleaning and disinfecting your home without harmful chemicals. Learn more about the science behind our ingenious little device.
