How To Choose Safer & Greener Dishes

Choosing safe and green kitchenware and dishes is a HUGE topic. Because each type of cookware and dish comes with its own set of concerns (both safety-wise and eco-wise) watch for later posts where I’ll break each type of kitchen item down specifically.

However, for today here are some general tips about kitchenware and dish safety…

• The best green dishes are made with recycled and or sustainable materials but that doesn’t always indicate perfect safety. Make sure you look at the whole picture before buying a set of dishes.
• Glass dishes, stoneware, and ceramic dishes made in the U.S. are three of the best green choices when it comes to dishes and these also tend to top out the list for safety as well.
• Buy locally made pieces whenever possible to cut out transport energy issues.
• Buy from people and companies who maintain eco-ethics. You should be able to get this info from the company. You want to make sure they do things like recycle, use less packaging, and possibly even use things like solar energy to run their company.
• Bamboo dishes are one great green wood dish choice.
• Look for non-toxic finishes.
• There are better choices than plastic anything, but if you need/want plastic go with a company who makes recycled plastic options.
• Avoid pots and pans made with perfluorochemical (PFCs): You most likely know PFCs as “nonstick cookware.”
• Stainless steel dishes are another good choice, especially when it comes to green storage solutions. Many recycled options in stainless steel are available now too.
• If you MUST use disposable dishes, for say a party or big barbecue, choose recycled and biodegradable disposable dishes.
• Look for flatware made with recycled handles.
• The best green-minded cookware choices (like stove and oven pieces) are made of recycled glass (i.e. bake ware), cast iron, and stainless steel.

Quick safety points:

• Thrift store and antique dishes do carry a smaller footprint BUT they can be unsafe. First of all, never store food in older dishes and learn how to test your dishes for lead.
• Don’t store liquids in lead crystal glasses or bottles and if you’re pregnant, a child, or a baby, you shouldn’t drink from lead crystal bottles or cups.
• When you purchase new cookware always fill out the registration card and send it in. If there’s a recall, you’ll hear about it.

Have you gone through your kitchen lately to make sure your dishes are safe and green?

[image via stock.xchng]