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Food storage

Reheating in plastic tubs → glass containers

Heating food in plastic is the single clearest route for plastic particles into what you eat. Glass fixes it.

Glass jars filled with grains and pulses
Swap Priority
75/100
Swap first
Swap Priority 75 out of 100: Swap first
Plastic avoided
≈ 600 g a year
Typical cost
£15 – £40
Swap from
Plastic food tubs used for reheating
Last reviewed
26 September 2026

How strong is the evidence?

How the dials work
Exposure evidenceHow strong is the evidence that the plastic version exposes you to microplastics or plastic chemicals?
Moderate · 3/4
Environmental evidenceHow strong is the evidence that this swap cuts environmental harm over the product's whole life?
Moderate · 3/4
Claim verificationHow well has the alternative's plastic-free claim been verified?
No product yet

Why swap

Microwaving plastic containers releases very large numbers of micro- and nanoplastic particles into food, especially with fatty or acidic foods. Glass releases none.

What to look for

  • Borosilicate or tempered glass
  • Glass or steel lids — or reheat with a plate on top instead of the lid
  • Oven-safe glass so one dish goes fridge to oven

Watch out for

  • Most glass containers come with plastic lids and silicone seals — keep them out of the microwave
  • Never reheat in takeaway tubs

Evidence and sources

More swaps in food storage

Food storage61/100Swap Priority 61 out of 100: High priority

Cling film → lidded containers or beeswax wraps

Cling film is single-use plastic in direct contact with food. A plate on a bowl does the same job for free.

High priority · about 400 g of plastic a year

Food storage54/100Swap Priority 54 out of 100: Worth doing

Plastic lunch box → stainless steel

Steel lunch boxes last for years, go in the dishwasher and don't stain or crack.

Worth doing · about 100 g of plastic a year

Food storage52/100Swap Priority 52 out of 100: Worth doing

Freezer and sandwich bags → jars and tins

Single-use bags add up fast. Jars, tins and paper handle nearly every job.

Worth doing · about 500 g of plastic a year