| We have gotten far better at recycling and | | | | used to store food before convenience overtook |
| reusing products in an effort to save our planet. | | | | common sense. Long-lasting plastic containers got |
| But, let's face it, there are some things, such as | | | | their start back in the 1945 when Earl Tupper |
| plastic wrap, resealable bags and even aluminum | | | | recognized that the invention of a new plastic, |
| foil, that are almost impossible to reuse. Most | | | | Polyethylene, could mean the start of something |
| towns want clean aluminum foil, which means | | | | big. |
| ninety percent of the foil used in most households | | | | He started producing plastic bathroom cups in a |
| cannot be recycled. All those bags and cling wrap | | | | variety of colors and then introduced the lidded |
| go into the trash and clog our landfills. | | | | bowl. Much innovation has happened over the |
| More recently, companies have been developing | | | | years, with more and more variety and versatility |
| so-called reusable, disposable plastic containers. | | | | now included in today's container selection. You |
| They have that little "recyclable" symbol on them, | | | | name it, you can find a container that can store |
| but very few facilities are set up to recycle No. 5 | | | | it---and store it much longer than older containers. |
| plastics. So where do they end up? In landfills. | | | | Many companies have come up with their own |
| That little number on the triangle included in most | | | | lines of plastic containers to compete with the |
| plastic products is a clear indication whether a | | | | famous Tupperware, which even after more than |
| product can be recycled or not. Yes, No. 5 plastics | | | | 60 years continues to be the industry standard. |
| are considered recyclable, but most municipal | | | | Most recently came the advent of the disposable |
| recycling programs only accept No. 1 and No. 2 | | | | container. Thankfully, eco-friendly awareness is |
| products. | | | | bringing back some common sense and more and |
| Here's another thing to consider: While we're all | | | | more people are recognizing not only the |
| being good samaritans by recycling everything | | | | economic benefits of buying good food containers, |
| under the sun, the market for recyclables is | | | | but also the environmental ones. |
| nearly saturated. Instead of being recycled, | | | | In fact, one major university is urging its students |
| municipalities are stock-pilings tons of plastic and | | | | to use reusable food containers and ditch the |
| glass bottles and containers waiting for the day | | | | disposable ones that have become quite popular |
| when someone will actually want them. In the | | | | among the dorm-living set. More glass containers |
| end, the result is the same: a landfill stuffed with | | | | are popping up, but many moms worry about |
| glass and plastic. | | | | breaking glass. You're not going to send a |
| What's the answer, then? Buy something you | | | | five-year-old with a glass container filled with |
| don't have to throw away after just a few uses. | | | | carrot sticks to class. The most environmentally |
| The best way to go green with your food | | | | friendly and safe alternative is plastic storage |
| storage is to use high-quality food storage | | | | containers. |
| containers that will last for years. It's the way we | | | | |