Nicola Tracey

The Non-Toxic Alternative to Plastic Storage (and Why You Need to Make the Swap)

Table of Contents

Introduction: My Home Detox Moment

Years ago, I stood in my kitchen, annoyed. Not at the recipe I’d just slightly burned, or the fact that I was, once again, out of tahini. It was the drawer of mismatched plastic containers. Lids without boxes, boxes with warping edges, and that faint smell of… something chemical.

It didn’t fit. Not with the handmade ceramics I’d curated over time, or the natural linen I’d finally splurged on for curtains. Not with the way I wanted my home to feel - a lovely mix of calm, grounded, safe. It was then I began my slow, slightly obsessive shift to non-toxic storage. And it turns out, there’s a lot more to the story than pretty mason jars (millennials will know the chokehold these have on me).

The Science Behind the Shift: Health First, Always

Plastic Is Not Passive

Plastics were once seen as a design breakthrough because of its properties - lightweight, durable, and forever unbreakable. But in recent decades, we’ve come to understand their unintended legacy: leaching, microplastic pollution, endocrine disruption, and even cardiovascular risks.

Let’s start with BPA. Bisphenol A is an industrial chemical found in many plastics and resins. It mimics oestrogen and has been linked to reproductive disorders, certain cancers, and developmental issues in children. Even BPA-free products aren’t entirely safe as research shows many contain similar chemicals like BPS and BPF, which carry their own risks.

In a recent 2024 study, over 3,500 chemicals were found in food packaging alone. Many are unregulated. Others are known to interfere with hormone production, increase the risk of obesity, or alter fetal development. The worst part? These chemicals leach faster with heat, acidity, or fat. So, storing your leftover fettuccine alfredo in a plastic tub and then microwaving it in the office the next day? Not ideal.

Microplastics: From Gut to Brain

New findings show microplastics are not only in the oceans, they're inside of us. They might be found in our blood, lungs, placentas, and breast milk. Turns out these fragments are so small they bypass the body’s natural barriers.

In 2023, scientists discovered nanoplastics embedded in the carotid arteries of patients with cardiovascular disease. Another study linked prenatal microplastic exposure to developmental delays. They’re now considered a contributing factor to chronic inflammation, metabolic disorders, and even autoimmune diseases.

In short: these aren’t harmless particles. They’re silent disruptors.

The Emotional Layer: Your Home Should Be a Safe Space

As women building intentional homes, we spend time choosing the right table lamp, the exact shade of linen, the vintage find that makes the whole room come alive with your stories of interior hunting. Why compromise that attention to detail with storage that doesn’t even look good and then also threatens our health?

When I first swapped my plastics for glass, I wasn’t aiming for perfection. I just wanted to make some small changes that would eventually replace my whole home with items that aligned with my values around sustainability, wellbeing, design. My home deserves consistency. I wasn’t about to neglect any corner of it.

Removing plastics from your home shouldn’t be seen as a detox trend. It’s a lifestyle change and one I’m seeing across the world now that people are waking up to the dangers of plastic and its toxicity.

Practical Guidance: The Best Non-Toxic Storage Alternatives, Room by Room

We’re not here to throw out everything and panic. Transitioning to non-toxic storage should feel empowering, not overwhelming. Let’s walk through the materials that work room by room - visually, practically, and health-wise.

Kitchen: Where Aesthetic Meets Appetite

Storage concerns: Heat, acidity, fat, and frequent use make the kitchen the highest-risk zone for plastic leaching.

Swap in:

Glass containers for leftovers, grains, sauces, and ferments
Stainless steel canisters for coffee, tea, sugar
Beeswax wraps for herbs, bread, and sandwiches
Silicone stretch lids for covering bowls or half-cut produce (make sure it’s FDA-approved, BPA/BPS-free)
Ceramic mixing bowls with lids that double as serveware
Clear spice jars to make open shelving look intentional

Design tip: Keep containers uniform in shape and tone. Add hand-lettered labels or subtle decals for a personal, editorial finish.

Bathroom: The Self-Care Sanctuary

Storage concerns: Moisture, heat from showers, and exposure to body products mean plastic is prone to degrading and visually cluttering.

Swap in:

Glass jars for cotton pads, hair ties, bath salts
Stoneware or enamel containers for toothpaste tablets, soap bars, razors
Woven baskets lined with organic cotton for toilet rolls, towels, and washcloths
Small stainless tins for balm storage or DIY face masks

Design tip: Stick to raw materials - stone, ceramic, glass - and arrange items on a wood tray or marble slab for calm cohesion.

Bedroom: Slow Living, Layered Softly

Storage concerns: Often overlooked, but bedrooms accumulate clutter in drawers, under beds, and on surfaces.

Swap in:

Woven lidded baskets for seasonal clothing or linens
Clear glass or wooden boxes for jewellery, fragrance, bedside essentials
Ceramic bowls for keys, tech, lip balm
Underbed storage made of untreated wood or cloth

Design tip: Choose neutral, tactile textures - linen, rattan, ash wood - that blend with the natural softness of the space.

Utility & Laundry: Function That’s Still Beautiful

Storage concerns: Harsh cleaning products and detergents stored in plastic containers can emit VOCs and off-gas over time.

Swap in:

Amber glass bottles for refilled detergents and fabric softeners
Metal tins or jars for laundry powder, pegs, stain sticks
Natural-fibre baskets for clean or worn laundry
Wooden crates or cubbies for folded towels, extra supplies

Design tip: Treat even utilitarian spaces with respect. A beautiful broom hook, labelled refill bottles, and a lidded woven hamper elevate the chore.

What to Look For When You Shop (By Material)

Glass

Choose:

Borosilicate glass for its resistance to thermal shock (ideal for fridge, freezer, and oven)
Containers with airtight lids made from bamboo, sustainably sourced wood, or platinum-grade silicone
Clear or lightly tinted finishes for clean visual cohesion

Avoid:

Painted or heavily printed glass, which may contain lead-based pigments
Cheap tempered glass that cracks easily when frozen or reheated

Stainless Steel

Choose:

18/8 or 18/10 food-grade stainless steel, which resists corrosion and won’t leach
Products with silicone seals for spill-proof transport
Matte or brushed finishes that blend effortlessly into natural-toned interiors

Avoid:

Mixed-material lids that include hidden plastic inserts
Lightweight steel with a tinny sound—often lower quality and more prone to denting

Silicone

Choose:

Platinum-grade silicone or LFGB-certified food-safe options
Neutral or translucent tones that visually recede in storage
Reusable shapes like stretch lids, zip bags, and moulds

Avoid:

Silicone with added dyes, fragrances, or plastic fillers (it should feel slightly matte, not glossy)

Beeswax (and Vegan Wax Alternatives)

Choose:

Wraps made with organic cotton, beeswax, tree resin, and jojoba oil
Vegan versions using soy or candelilla wax
Subtle, natural-toned prints or solid colours for harmony in the fridge or pantry

Avoid:

Wraps with synthetic dyes or bold commercial patterns that clash with refined kitchen palettes

Ceramic & Enamel

Choose:

High-fired stoneware or porcelain, free from lead or cadmium-based glazes
Lidded containers that double as serveware
Soft, matte glazes or naturally speckled finishes that celebrate imperfection

Avoid:

Vintage enamel with chipped surfaces (may contain heavy metals)
Low-cost ceramic with overly shiny, plastic-like glazes

Natural Fibres (for Baskets, Liners, and Wraps)

Choose:

Seagrass, jute, sisal, or water hyacinth for durability and visual warmth
Baskets lined with organic cotton or untreated linen
Stitching that uses natural thread (like cotton or flax)

Avoid:

Coated or lacquered finishes that off-gas over time
Poly-blend liners disguised as “linen”

Founder’s Note: Nicola’s Perspective

"When I first started The Artisan Lab, I couldn’t find a basket I actually liked the look of. Everything felt too boho or too bland. That’s how I feel about plastic storage too. It’s ugly, mass made, lifeless, and ultimately not designed for people who care about how things feel or the stories they tell.

Choosing non-toxic materials is a choice for your health, your integrity, and beauty over pure function."

One Storage Container At A Time

Stop before you panic purge! The path to a healthier home isn’t paved with fear or guilt. It’s paved with small, intentional swaps. Choose glass over plastic. Choose ceramics over convenience. Choose design that serves you, not just the mass-produced algorithm. Choose a home that holds you, not only your things.

You don’t need to overhaul everything in a weekend, but you can start today. One container. One shelf. One corner of calm.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are all plastics equally bad?

No - but almost all carry some risk. Hard plastics (polycarbonate) often leach BPA, while softer ones release phthalates. Even so-called food-grade plastics can degrade over time, especially when scratched or heated.