Green Up Your Kitchen Challenge Tip 4: Tackle Your Plastic Container Collection

Toxins get into our bodies through more than just food. We are exposed to them through our carpets, lawn chemicals—even our clothing. Each day this week, we will post a new, easy tip to help you detox your kitchen and your diet.

Here’s today’s tip:

Tip 4: Tackle Your Plastic Container Collection

Many plastic containers contain BPA (bisphenol A), a chemical that’s a known endocrine disruptor, which could be linked to prostate and breast cancer, infertility, heart disease and diabetes. Set aside containers marked with recycling code “7” and not labeled BPA-free and retire them from food-storage duty. And when it’s time to clean them, take the time to hand-wash any plastic food-storage containers. A 2003 study found that plastic bottles released more BPA after they were cleaned in the dishwasher. (Find out 9 green must-have items for your kitchen.)

More tips to say bye-bye to BPA:

• Save glass jars from jam, tomato sauce and peanut butter and use them to store food. Glass is a great alternative to plastic storage containers.
• Transfer your home-packed lunch to a ceramic bowl or plate before reheating in the microwave. (Heating BPA-containing plastics leaches the BPA.)
• Look for BPA-free packaged foods. BPA is used to make the resins that line some food cans and it leaches into food, particularly acidic items like tomatoes. But you can find tuna, beans, broth and diced tomatoes in BPA-free packaging (cans, cardboard boxes or glass labeled BPA-free). Or go fresh—cook a big batch of beans or broth and freeze it for quick meals later on.

For more Green Up Your Kitchen Challenge tips, visit the Green Up Your Kitchen Challenge landing page.

TAGS: Kerri-Ann Jennings, Food News Blog, Food & health news, Health, Healthy Kitchen Makeover Challenge