Why we generally don’t recommend reusing takeout containers

Before we get into some of the thornier issues, one of my biggest annoyances about takeout storage containers — like the ones with the black plastic bottoms and clear plastic tops, or the taller plastic deli containers — is that they don’t have standardized manufacturing specifications. That means you end up sorting through a scattered pile of lids and bottoms that don’t quite fit together.

Beyond that, the discourse around plastic can be a bit scary and confusing. Though the risk of exposure to harmful chemicals from black plastic kitchenware is likely lower than initial panic suggested, there are many reasons people are looking to reduce their use of plastic and microplastics — and there is good reason to reduce it with leftovers in particular.

“While reusing plastic to cut back on waste is admirable, Wirecutter doesn’t recommend reusing plastic takeout containers for food,” says editor Katie Okamoto, who covers sustainability for Wirecutter.

That’s because their materials aren’t made for repeat use and may be particularly prone to shedding microplastics and related chemicals, especially when heated up. Just what microplastic exposure means for our health is still being studied, but if you’re trying to lower your potential exposure to microplastics and plastic chemicals, we don’t recommend using plastic for long-term food storage or heating food in plastic.

For food safety reasons, leftovers should be consumed within three or four days, and they can be frozen if you need an extension on that timeline. So if you’re going to use those plastic containers, we’d suggest that your friends take them home and then decant the food into another container for use during the leftover storage window.

If you feel guilty about the stacks of takeout containers piling up, we highly endorse finding other ways to reuse them around the home that don’t involve food, like organizing craft supplies. You can also check with your local recycling system to see if they are accepted.

The food storage we recommend for longer-term use

Food storage is pretty much the equivalent of Gollum’s ring for me, and I would absolutely never suggest you lend out your good stuff. But for other people, maybe that’s less of a big deal. So whether you hold onto it for yourself or let your loved ones borrow it, we have some recommendations for good-quality food storage you can use long-term in our guide to food storage containers.

Our guide contains mostly glass containers. We do have one plastic option, the Snapware Total Solution 20-Piece Plastic Food Storage Container Set, if having a lightweight set is important to you. (Just avoid heating them in the microwave.)

Our top picks — the Pyrex Freshlock 10-piece Glass Storage Set and the Snapware Total Solution Pyrex Glass 10-piece Food Storage Container Set — are identical, and both come with Pyrex tempered-glass containers and airtight, locking Snapware lids.

Top pick

You might also want to consider a reusable produce bag, such as a Stasher Reusable Silicone Bag, to help keep leftovers fresh.

You didn’t ask, but the best thing I do to keep my fridge organized is use FrogTape Multi-Surface Painter’s Tape and a Sharpie to label and date our leftovers, just like real and fictional chefs. I also do that for food I’m giving away, so my recipient knows when it was made and what’s in it. I haven’t had to pull a green fuzzy mystery object from the back of my fridge in years.

Encourage your guests to bring their own containers

It might feel a little presumptuous to bring your own food storage container when you haven’t been explicitly told to (this is, ahem, why I keep some clean ones in the car just in case some goodies are offered).

But as the host, you have the ability to breezily say, “We’re so looking forward to having you over on Friday. I’d love to give you some of the extra lasagna afterwards because I always make too much. If you bring a container with you, I can pack it up for you!”

I’ve also taken to BYOing at restaurants, which makes my husband die inside, but it takes less than 15 seconds to pull a clean container out of my purse, scoop the extra from my plate into it, snap it closed, and shove it back into my purse. The restaurant staff likely won’t let you provide them containers for regular takeout due to sanitation and kitchen-flow concerns, but no one has stopped me yet from packing up my own doggy bag.

Reuse your glass and tins instead

Some of us are afflicted with a jar-saving hobby, and it’s time to put that glassware to good use. A cleaned-out glass jar with a metal lid is the perfect container for many leftovers, and collectors like myself are eager to find those vessels good homes.

Proceed with caution around secondhand food storage containers, bowls, and plates. Some older serveware might contain lead, which makes for a terrible side dish.

If you want to get thrifted options, consider clear glass pie plates, which I will purchase to use as cookie platters. Then I’ll give my host the option to keep it, pass it on, or give it back to me.

Food-safe cookie tins are also a good bet (avoid anything corroded or damaged). Just the other day, one of my most stylish friends sent me on my way with a heavenly slice of cake held in a perfectly sized Trader Joe’s peppermint bark tin lined with parchment.

This will perhaps scratch your itch of saving things from the landfill (which we wholeheartedly don’t think is silly!) and allow your friends to continue enjoying the bounty of your delicious meal.

This article was edited by Catherine Kast and Maxine Builder.

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