Skip to main content

Glass vs. plastic containers: Which food storage option should you choose?

Are glass containers for food the best storage choice?

While it can come as a shock to some, plastic and glass storage containers are not wholly interchangeable. Each material provides unique benefits when it comes to organizing the kitchen. Whether you’re choosing materials based on aesthetics, longevity, accessibility, or functionality, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the pros and cons of your food storage containers. If you’re unsure which container makes sense for you and your home, it might be time to draw up some conclusions on why these two materials outperform one another in different ways.

Below are our comparisons between glass vs. plastic containers to help you decide which is truly a better option for your kitchen.

bulk food Glass Containers
casanisaphoto/Getty Images

Glass is better for the environment

When it comes to durability, longevity, and its ability to be recycled, glass outperforms plastic on environmental impact. If properly cared for, glass can outlast the lifespan of plastic in the kitchen. Where plastic is prone to melting or discoloration, glass remains a durable and long-lasting solution for food storage.

Additionally, glass is one-hundred percent recyclable, and so long as it is properly disposed of, you can recycle glass at a designated facility. Unfortunately, due to the wide variety of plastic products available, many recycling plants only offer recycling to a few types of plastic. Anything non-recyclable is tossed into a landfill, where it remains for many years.

Therefore, glass wins the argument for most environmentally friendly.

glass food storage containers
Angelina Zinovieva/Shutterstock

Glass provides a healthier alternative

When it comes to health benefits and safety in the kitchen, glass is a better material. But, unfortunately, even BPA-free plastics are prone to releasing toxic chemicals if heated. This makes washing, microwaving, and heating plastic containers a threat to your health. Plastic containers are also prone to warping and melting, creating a challenge when placing them in the dishwasher.

Luckily, glass is heat-tolerant and can be microwaved, heated in the oven, or placed into the dishwasher. Since it is non-porous, glass materials do not absorb or release any toxic chemicals or microscopic particles when used.

If you are looking for a food-safe and family-safe storage solution, glass is the better choice.

woman packing container into lunch bag
Pixel-Shot

Plastic is better for packed lunches

For packed lunches, it’s a no-brainer that plastic is better for transporting food. Plastic storage containers are light and easy to carry. You don’t have to worry about the glass shattering or the efforts of lugging around a heavy lunch box. They are especially great for kids who need a lightweight lunch box for school and are prone to accidental spills and drops.

Additionally, plastic containers often come in sets of different sizes, so you can section off sandwiches, snacks, dip, and other treats to create a more effective lunch organization.

Whether you’re taking lunch to work or packing snacks for the kids, plastic is a favorable solution.

Home Canning, Preserving, Pickling Food Stored on Wooden Storage Shelves
YinYang/iStockphoto

If you’re storing leftovers, choose glass

Plastic containers can release chemicals when frozen just as they can when heated. For better food safety, opt for glass.

The right glass containers are freezer and refrigerator safe, meaning they won’t release any harsh chemicals or break if frozen. Some glass storage containers are also leakproof, which offers a tight seal to prevent spills or food from going bad. This quality also makes glass a perfect choice for homeowners looking for long-term storage solutions such as canning or pickling.

If you want a storage container that makes freezer and refrigerator storage easier, choose glass.

food in plastic storage containers
Maria Medvedeva/Shutterstock

When it comes to saving space, opt for plastic

While you can stack and store glassware on top of one another, you run the risk of damaging or breaking the containers. Glass containers also take up a lot of space since you have to lay them on the shelf with care to prevent ruining them.

On the other hand, plastic containers are perfect for stacking. You can also store all of your plastic lids inside one container for more efficient storage. There’s no worry about items falling over or breaking because plastic is a durable material.

Some plastic containers are also retractable, meaning they are built to shrink down into a more compact form for more accessible storage. If you want to save space, plastic is the better alternative.

woman standing in front of refrigerator filled with storage containers of food
Group4 Studio/Getty Images

Choose glass for the aesthetic

If you have an open-style pantry, glass containers and storage solutions are a sophisticated choice. Aesthetically speaking, storing items in glass looks far more put together than storing food in plastic. Furthermore, if you are serving food in a glass dish, it looks much more elegant than doing so with plastic. You also avoid the risk of discoloration or strange smells that plastic containers often absorb.

If you want your kitchen to have an aesthetic appeal, glass is a great option. It’s transparent so that you can see all of your food items without confusion, and it retains its stunning appearance indefinitely.

When it comes down to choosing between glass and plastic, we prefer glass containers for food. They are an aesthetic component of any pantry and are perfect for storing items in the fridge or freezer. We also value glass containers for their non-toxic, non-porous material as stains, discoloration, and toxic chemicals are not something we want to have in the kitchen. Glass is a fantastic material for food storage, and we prefer it over plastic.

Editors' Recommendations

Amelia Wilson
Amelia Wilson (pen name Amelia J. Wilson) is a content writer in Greenwood, IN. She enjoys topics on productivity…
5 delicious Thanksgiving desserts to make if you kind of hate pie
Not a fan of pie? Try these holiday dessert alternatives this Thanksgiving
Autumn spices, pumpkin, and cinnamon

We admit it: We're big fans of fall flavors. And come Thanksgiving, many of those fall flavors are the highlight of the dessert table — whether you prefer apple or pumpkin, there's probably a pie to your liking. Of course, if you're not the biggest fan of pies (we don't judge), it can be disappointing to see this dessert dominate the Thanksgiving holiday.

The good news is, there is a variety of delectable, non-pie, fall-flavored desserts that you can integrate into your Thanksgiving holiday meal. Whether you enjoy pumpkin but not the pie, or if you prefer something different altogether, you don't need to miss out on a delicious Thanksgiving dessert just because of your unique preferences! Here are some amazing Thanksgiving dessert dishes that you can top off your meal with this year.

Read more
10 delicious, healthy chicken recipes you can make in 30 minutes or less
Sick of the same old chicken dishes? Check out these healthy and exciting alternatives
Raw chicken and other ingredients on a cutting board

Chicken is a dinnertime staple for a reason — it's healthy, it's delicious, and there are so many ways you can prepare it. It can also be used in so many dishes and can take on a wide range of flavors, from Indian and Chinese to Italian and more. While we love having a whole roasted chicken fresh from the oven, paired with a side of veggies and warm, crusty dinner rolls, some weeknights we don’t have time to devote to that kind of meal.

Luckily, there are plenty of healthy chicken recipes that have a super quick turnaround time. In less than half an hour, you can have these 10 healthy chicken recipes on the table and ready to serve. Who doesn't want something delicious in under 30 minutes that the whole family can enjoy any night of the week? If you're stuck in a chicken recipe rut and need some inspiration for meals, check out these ideas and see what you think!

Read more
6 easy Halloween party food ideas to spook and delight guests
Try these Halloween recipes and ideas for a successful spooky party
Halloween burger

As "Halloweekend" draws near, and you might be planning to throw a Halloween party for family and friends. Your guests will be expecting a festive evening, so ordinary party appetizers and entrees won’t suffice. Get more creative this season and come up with Halloween party food ideas that fit the theme of the event.

Halloween is the one holiday when you can have fun making the food look creepy, unappealing, and maybe even downright gross. If you have guests that aren't too squeamish, this plays well with the spookiness of the season. To inspire your menu, here are some Halloween party food recipes that can make your celebration a success.
Monster wraps
For finger foods with a Halloween theme, these monster wraps are perfect. Load sandwich wraps with meat, cheese, and other fillings, then use sliced cheese, olives, and pickles to decorate them like Frankenstein. They only take 10 minutes to make and can be completely customized according to your taste.

Read more