FOOD NEWS
Why David Chang Says You Should Never Purchase Food Storage Containers
BY STEPHANIE FRIEDMAN
It's common for home cooks to buy food storage containers just for storing leftovers and other foods, but celebrity chef David Chang says there's no need.
Chang suggests you reuse the plastic containers you get from takeout food or restaurant leftovers, an excellent recommendation to save money and plastic waste.
Over 10 million tons of plastic are wasted yearly, says Plastic Oceans International. Reusing plastic containers helps the planet and eliminates the need to pay for new ones.
Food scientist Bryan Quoc Le, Ph.D., says most food-safe containers can be used for short-term storage, and it's easy to find out if your containers are good to use.
Look for a number on the bottom of your container. Numbers 2, 4, and 5 mean the containers are safe to reuse for food, and you might even be able to reuse them up to 25 times.
Clean your recycled containers well with soap and water, or put them in the dishwasher with a plastic booster. To remove stains, leave a container in the sun for an hour or two.
After some time in the sun, you can clean the box with baking soda and water. If the containers have lots of scratches or constantly feel greasy, it's time to toss them.