I like to think I’m relatively sustainability-minded in most areas of my life, but historically, that hasn’t exactly been the case when it comes to my kitchen habits. My roommate and I tear through Costco-sized packs of paper towels at a rate that can only be described as alarming; I am never without boxes of plastic bags and cling film in my kitchen drawer; and I’ve got an ungodly number of deli containers piled into one of my cupboards.
I’m all about utility and efficiency in the kitchen, which is why I’ve justified my single-use habits in the past—I want things like food storage and clean-up to be no-brainers so I can dedicate my attention to the actual cooking process. But with so many products on the market today geared towards replacing both plastics and single-use items, I decided to try some of the most popular eco-friendly kitchen swaps to see if any would actually stick. After over a month of testing, here are the products that have become part of my everyday routine—and the ones I quickly abandoned.
Anyday Silicone Delis
One of my first assignments when I started this job was a story for our sister site Epicurious about whether you should be reusing plastic takeout containers. Despite speaking with multiple scientists who cautioned against dishwashing and microwaving deli containers for fear of microplastics leaching into food, I’ve continued to do so in the years since purely because I’ve never been able to find a non-plastic food storage container that’s quite as convenient for stashing leftovers and taking on the go—that is, until I tried Anyday’s new line of silicone delis.
These containers ditch the plastic in favor of silicone while retaining the same look and benefits of classic deli containers—namely, the stackability, one-size-fits-all lid, and lightweight feel. They’re available in all of the standard deli sizes (8-, 16-, and 32-ounce), each of which are dishwasher-, microwave-, and freezer-safe and have stainless steel-reinforced rims to help mitigate warping, sealable vents for steam release, and cup and milliliter markings on the sides for easy measuring.
I’ve been on a Sunday meal prep kick lately, and these containers have proved ideal for storing a week’s worth of food in the fridge. I’ve successfully transported containers full of saucy curries and berry-laden yogurt to the office without any leakage (a true feat!), and I love that I can microwave my food without the need to transfer it to another bowl. Dare I say I’ve officially retired my plastic takeout containers? I never thought the day would come.
