How To Freeze Food Without Plastic

Zero waste living is now easier than ever before. There are a range of great solutions that will not only reduce plastic waste but also help you cut down on food waste too. You may already be familiar with using natural beeswax wraps instead of plastic wrap to keep food fresh in the fridge. But do you know how to freeze food without plastic? Read on for some simple solutions you could consider:

Freeze Food in Glass Jars & Containers

Plenty of food can simply be frozen in glass jars and other glass containers. Upcycle jam jars and other glass containers with metal lids, and you can use these to contain all manner of produce and leftovers. Just make sure you leave space for expansion at the top of the containers, and stack them carefully so they don't fall out when you open the freezer door. You can wash out and sterilize these containers and use them over and over again.

Make sure to leave a little headspace if you freezing liquids in jars. Here, Anne-Marie Bonneau (ZeroWasteChef) has repurposed glass jars of roasted tomatoes. Cover photo by Anne-Marie Bonneau.

Freeze Food in Stainless Steel Containers

Stainless steel containers are also great for freezing. You can use biscuit tins or other reclaimed metal containers with fitting lids, or purchase new metal containers specifically for the purpose. Some containers are metal with metal lids, some are sealable metal containers with silicone lids. Like glass containers, metal containers can also be reused over and over again. They are a great solution for those who want to freeze food without plastic.

Freeze fruit on trays before transferring to containers to avoid creating clumpy frozen blobs. By Anne-Marie Bonneau.

Freeze seasonal fruit to enjoy year-round! Stainless steel lunch boxes are sturdy and versatile. Pictured are Net Zero Munchie boxes (petite, original, hearty).

Freeze Food Using Silicone Solutions

Silicone is an incredibly useful material when it comes to freezing food. If you are one of the many who finds it a challenge to fit everything into your freezer, silicone sealer bags can come in handy. These can be used to make the most of every corner and to find the space to freeze leftovers and fresh produce.

Zero waste tip: collect your veggie scraps to make a delicious homemade vegetable broth! We love to collect our scraps and freeze them in a Large Silicone Sealer.

If you are short on freezer space – remember that there are other ways to preserve the food you grow or buy. Consider canning fresh produce, or making preserves like jams, jellies and chutneys. Or dry your produce to make it last for longer. When you use sustainable methods to preserve food, you can reduce your food waste and live more sustainably. And you definitely don't have to rely on plastic to do so.