Frugal People Stopped Buying This Kitchen Item A Long Time Ago

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Glass, stainless steel, and ceramic containers may cost more upfront than their plastic counterparts, but they tend to last for years without warping, staining, or picking up odors, meaning you'll replace them less often — saving you money. Plus, unlike plastic, these containers can go from fridge to oven to dishwasher without breaking down or releasing anything harmful into your food. While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not deemed microplastics worthy of regulatory action yet, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry are both working to study the short and long term effects of microplastic exposure. With that said, plastic containers sometimes contain chemicals — and not just microplastics – that can leach into your food, especially when used in the kitchen. 

This is why more and more smart, and frugal, kitchen shoppers are shying away from plastic containers, and choosing other alternatives. Plus, with inflation and grocery distributor fees pushing up grocery prices, keeping your food fresher for longer is another easy way to save money. Airtight glass containers, for example, often have better seals than flimsy plastic lids, which can help prevent spoilage and expensive food waste.

With some sharp-eyed shopping you can find good deals on glass container sets. For instance, a 10-pack Komuee glass container set is just $30, while a 16-piece Moss & Stone plastic set costs about $24. While the glass is more expensive, eagle-eyed shoppers will notice that the 10 glass containers have a combined storage of 267 fluid ounces while the 16 plastic containers only total 169 fluid ounces. That means you are getting more storage with the glass set, not to mention a longer lasting product.

A polypropylene (PP) plastic container, which is the cheapest and most widespread type of plastic storage, will last anywhere from six months to one year before it needs to be replaced, per Southern Living. On the other hand, glass containers can last years, if not decades, as long as they aren't dropped or broken. Even accounting for glass containers' plastic lids — which you might need to replace after a few years (for under $10) — glass still costs significantly less than buying a whole new set of containers on a yearly basis. A set of 16 plastic containers, at $24 every year, would total $240 over 10 years. Whereas you can pay a little more upfront for glass and forget about replacements for years. By sticking with glass containers, and using money-saving grocery-shopping strategies, you can continue to save in the kitchen.