How food containers factor into fighting food waste
Food waste is a big issue given the negative consequences it has on the environment. It is something we have written about before and in this article, we’d like to provide practical tips on what households can do about it with the help of Bonson food containers, a bit of knowledge and good planning.
Not only does saving and storing food combat food wastage, but it also helps save money. You can buy in bulk at cheaper prices and portion out food into containers for the fridge or freezer.
If you have consumed takeaways from clear containers, eaten ice cream from tubs or dipped into olives from a deli container purchased from your supermarket; there is a good chance that they were Bonson containers.
As you’ll discover on our website, Bonson manufactures and supplies a huge range of food packaging; from deli containers and polypropylene bowls, through to chef-friendly food prep storage and freezer grade ice cream pails – you can find a solution to store a variety of food safely. All packaging has been designed to be accepted by kerbside recycling service, however, one way of prolonging the original use of containers is to utilise them to store other food contents once the initial contents has been consumed.
Before we cover tips on the use of polypropylene containers, let’s dive into some frequently asked questions that will help get you off to a great start…
Can I use any Bonson containers to store food in the freezer?
Only certain containers can be safely used to store food in the freezer, and this is because different materials react differently to changes in temperature. Only the containers that have been identified as freezer safe can be used this way. They have been tested under the right conditions to ensure they will not split. If you store containers that are designed only to be chilled at refrigerator temperatures in the freezer, you run the risk of bits of packaging material breaking off into the food contents because they are not designed for extremely cold temperatures. For your safety, we recommend following the specifications for container use – you will find these icons at the bottom of each product page on our website under the ‘suitable for’ heading.
What about using Bonson containers in the microwave to reheat food?
As mentioned above, all the product pages on our website feature information about the proper application for each container. If it is not convenient to take the food contents out of the container before reheating it, then make sure the product information says that it is suitable for microwave use (most of our polypropylene containers are).
Where can I find information about how long to store food in the fridge/ freezer or general food safety?
Bonson specialises in food packaging and works with many great food producers to customise food packaging solutions to suit their requirements, but we are not food experts. We encourage you to check out these official sources of guidance around food health and safety or to seek out qualified advisors.
Tips on food storage with polypropylene containers
- Always choose food-safe storage for storing food because it is made from appropriate materials (e.g. BPA free)
- Always follow the packaging manufacturer’s instructions around proper use of the packaging (including whether it is freezer or microwave safe)
- Make sure you close the lids on your containers firmly to help keep food more secure and fresh for longer
- Choose the most appropriate food storage – your food packaging needs to be fit for purpose. For example, you may want to use a two compartment food container to separate certain foods or if food is being transported in a way where it could easily topple over, you might consider wide base containers. These deli containers are perfect for smaller portions
- Plastic containers have the advantage of handling greasy food contents particularly well, like these polypropylene takeaway food containers. This aspect needs to be weighed up when considering other food storage containers such as Bonson Enviro ranges that are made from natural or recycled materials. Whilst some of the Enviro ranges perform well with challenging food contents (e.g. extremely hot, cold, wet or greasy), others have limitations you should be aware of. This brings us nicely to our final important tip…
- If you are a foodservice business or food manufacturer, remember to consult a knowledgeable packaging representative to provide you with expert advice on the best food packaging to suit your unique requirements
Get in touch today if you would like to discuss your food packaging needs, we’d love to help or if appropriate, put you in touch with one of our distributors.
About Bonson. Bonson is a leading manufacturer and supplier of world-class food packaging solutions for the foodservice & FMCG industries in New Zealand and Australia. Not only are they well known for their takeaway containers and food preparation storage solutions, they customise food packaging solutions for some of Australasia’s most reputable food brands using state-of-the-art technology, including thermoforming to turn food grade post-consumer recycled PET material into versatile RPET packaging. Bonson has a deep commitment to sustainability and works with clients to support their sustainability goals.
