14 products that help avoid single-use plastic in the kitchen

Here’s all the stuff I use to store food at home—and take it on the go.

I always say that you don’t need to buy anything new to optimize your home. But you guys also want to know what works, so I periodically share the housekeeping tools, décor, and more that I have come to rely upon as themed installments that I call the “Living Small 100.” Today I’m talking about my favorite reusable food storage and on-the-go containers—and how I use them. These tools help me avoid so much single-use plastic and food waste. I hope you’ll find something on my list that makes your life easier and more sustainable.

Earlier editions of the Living Small 100 tackled cleaning, organizing, and bathroom essentials:

10 organizing tools I swear by

9 products that make a small bathroom bearable

Also: In case you missed last week’s post, I shared 10 fun things that I am loving right now—from a cool fundraiser idea to a clever decorating tip. There’s been a lively discussion of puzzles and bed sheets in the comments all week (thank you to everyone who weighed in!).

Before I dive into my favorite sustainable products to store pantry staples, keep food in the fridge, and pack drinks and meals to eat elsewhere, I need to tell you that I am on Team Decant. 

With limited pantry space, I believe that decanting almost all of my pantry items into glass jars makes my cabinets hold more. (Some of you will find this fussy.) However, it was only last year that I finally bought a wide mouth funnel. I encourage you not to wait so long! Not only will it make decanting things like nuts, cereal, and grains much easier, I also use mine to more neatly transfer food into my son’s lunchbox container (which I’ll tell you about below). Fellow decanters, get thee a funnel!

Okay, onto the onto my favorite items to replace disposable food storage: