Six Easy Ideas For a Plastic-Free Kitchen

 

6 Easy Ideas For A Plastic-Free Kitchen

In today's world, the dire need for reducing plastic pollution has become increasingly apparent. Plastic waste poses a significant threat to our environment, oceans, and wildlife – millions of marine animals die from plastic every year. In fact, it is even estimated 56% of marine mammals have consumed plastic, and that by 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish.

Reducing plastic in our daily lives can seem overwhelming, as people often don't know where to begin. With so much plastic around us, it can be hard to figure out the best place to start to reduce our plastic consumption.

One area where we can make a substantial impact is our kitchen. By adopting sustainable practices and swapping out key plastic items, we can substantially reduce the amount of plastic waste we produce. Join us on this journey as we explore practical tips to achieve a plastic-free kitchen without a hassle. Here are 6 simple and convenient steps you can follow.

 

1. Ditch the Take-Away Plastic:

A study showed that take-away containers and single-use cutlery are now among the top four polluters in our oceans. With restaurants and consumers going back to plastic takeout containers and cutlery during the Covid Pandemic, many previous initiatives that tried to get rid of these items were pushed back.

One of the first steps towards a plastic-free kitchen can be bidding farewell to single-use plastic containers and cutlery. Instead, invest in reusable alternatives such as glass jars, stainless steel containers. These options not only reduce plastic waste but also keep your food fresh and minimize the risk of harmful chemicals leaching into your meals.

Admittedly, if you’re planning a big party, throwaway tableware can make life a lot easier. But luckily there are many sustainable alternatives to plastic. Plates, containers, and cutlery made of bamboo or unbleached paper are compostable and just as convenient.

2. Embrace Reusable Shopping Bags:

While you may be tired of reading about the impact of plastic bags, they are still a key concern. Even though many countries have banned plastic bags for shopping, Americans still use an estimated 100 billion plastic bags every year.

Make a conscious effort to bring your own reusable shopping bags and produce bags whenever you head out for groceries. Keep a stash of reusable bags in your car or by the front door, so you're always prepared for your next shopping trip. By doing so, you'll significantly reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in landfills or finds its way into our ecosystems.

3. Go for Natural Brushes and Sponges:

Many kitchens still use synthetic sponges and plastic brushes. These are often made from polyurethane, polypropylene, or polyethylene (rule of thumb: if it says “poly”, it’s plastic). These are plastics known to release toxins and microplastics while being used.

As soon as they are discarded, they take hundreds of years to break down at the landfill or release harmful CO2 when incinerated. It’s easy to see that ditching your plastic sponges and brushes is a good idea for the environment and for your health.

Luckily, there are great alternatives. Replace your plastic brushes with sustainable brushes and scrubbers made from natural materials like bamboo, coconut fibers, or plant-based bristles. If you’re more of a “Sponge Person”, sponges made from natural cellulose or loofah are a fantastic alternative to plastic sponges.

These eco-friendly options are not only biodegradable but also highly effective at keeping your kitchen sparkling clean.

4. Banish Plastic Wrap:

Every year, Americans buy 268k square miles of plastic wrap – enough to shrink wrap the whole state of Texas. The wrap is hard to recycle and barely accepted by local recycling programs. Hence, bidding farewell to cling film and plastic wrap will significantly reduce your plastic footprint.

Instead of using plastic wrap, you can opt for beeswax wraps or reusable silicone food covers. Beeswax wraps, which are reusable, biodegradable, and provide a natural way to preserve your food. These wraps mold easily with the warmth of your hands, creating a breathable seal that keeps your fruits, vegetables, and leftovers fresh for longer.

If you’re looking for an option that goes into the freezer, silicone dish covers are a great alternative. They fit on various containers and keep your food fresh. Silicone is known to be heat and cold resistant, which means you can use the covers for freezing and even heating your meals.

5. Invest in a water filter:

22 billion plastic bottles are thrown away in the US every year. A significant fraction of this huge number comes from bottled water. That does not only pollute the environment, but it is also costly for the average consumer. Americans spend $16 billion on bottled water every year, which sometimes even comes from their local water supply, where they could get it at a fraction of the price.

Investing in a water filter provides you with an almost endless supply of delicious drinking water and liberates you from the need to rely on bottled water. You can also save money in the long run and as a great side-effect, water filters can reduce the amount of microplastic contained in drinking water.

6. Replace Cleaners in Plastic Bottles:

Besides bottled water, cleaning supplies are another big source of plastic bottles in the average household waste. If you think about the regular grocery store, this is understandable, as most cleaning supplies are hard to find not packaged in plastic.

If you look for sustainable options, you can luckily find sustainable alternatives without the need for compromise. The easiest place to start is dishwashing detergent. Instead of buying liquid detergent in a plastic bottle, a solid dishwashing brick will do the job just as effectively, while it eliminates the need of plastic packaging.

At the same time, natural cleaning tablets can replace most all-purpose cleaners that usually come in plastic bottles.

If you want to take it a step further, you can a DIY recipe to tackle the tough dirt. You can easily make effective scrubbing paste yourself, by mixing ¾ cup of baking soda with ¼ cup of castile soap and a tablespoon of water. Mixing it all together will create a powerful paste. Spread it on the surface and let it to its magic for 15 minutes before you wipe it off.

 

Creating a plastic-free kitchen is a powerful step towards a more sustainable lifestyle. By implementing these simple yet impactful changes, you can significantly reduce your plastic consumption and contribute to a cleaner, healthier planet. If you’re still overwhelmed, always keep in mind that you don’t have to aim for perfection. Every plastic item you replace is a step in the right direction and will bring you closer to a more sustainable life.

If we all work together, we can really make a difference. So, let's embark on this journey and clean our kitchens of all that plastic waste.

 

Author bio: Lars is the Co-Owner of SWOP – shop without plastic, a zero-waste online shop and blog. He is passionate about protecting the environment and educating about plastic pollution.