Hey there! Feeling overwhelmed by all the plastic lurking in your kitchen? You're not alone. Supermarkets love their plastic packaging, making it a challenge to buy some things plastic-free (looking at you, English cucumbers!). But fear not eco-warriors! Reducing plastic use in the kitchen is totally doable, and this guide will help you on your journey.
Take Stock of Your Plastic Arsenal
Before diving in, let's get a handle on the plastic you currently have. Are drawers overflowing with single-use bags? Lids missing from containers? This intel will help you prioritize reusable replacements.
10 Ways To Get Plastic Out Of Your Kitchen
Hey there! Feeling overwhelmed by all the plastic lurking in your kitchen? You're not alone. Supermarkets love their plastic packaging, making it a challenge to buy some things plastic-free (looking at you, English cucumbers!). But fear not eco-warriors! Reducing plastic use in the kitchen is totally doable, and this guide will help you on your journey.
Take Stock of Your Plastic Arsenal
Before diving in, let's get a handle on the plastic you currently have. Are drawers overflowing with single-use bags? Lids missing from containers? This intel will help you prioritize reusable replacements.
Top 10 Ways to Ditch Plastic and Go Green
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Banish the Bag Bulge: We've all got that drawer stuffed with plastic grocery bags. Get rid of them! Invest in some awesome reusable bags for your shopping sprees. For trash going to the landfill, opt for paper bags or biodegradable ones. Beware of labels that say compostable, as most landfills don't reach the temperatures needed for compostable items to break down efficiently, leaving us with a similar problem to plastic trash bags.
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Ditch Disposable Food Containers: Plastic containers for leftovers? Been there, done that. Glass Pyrex containers are a dream come true. They keep food fresh, help you see what's lurking in the refrigerator, and are safe to heat up in the microwave.
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Sponge Out Plastic Sponges: Those ubiquitous kitchen sponges are plastic nightmares and they harbor shockingly nasty amounts of bacteria that just get spread around each time you use it. If you're not reusing and tossing one out daily, think about what a massive amount of waste that causes, with just one sponge a day. Making the switch to scrub your dishes with a silicone brush, dish cloths or an eco-friendly scrubber that can be cleaned in the dishwasher is a major move in the right direction.
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Be Done With Frustrating Cling Wrap: We've all battled the cling wrap monster more times than we can count. Say "byeeee" to this old-fashioned ridiculousness and use glass containers with lids, tin foil (rinsed and reused!), parchment paper, or fabric bowl covers.
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Bottle Up Your Love for the Planet: Did you know that over a million plastic bottles are purchased every minute? Crazy, right? Make sure you've got a few refillable aluminum or glass bottles on hand at home and simply fill them up with filtered water for an easy, economical, and environmentally friendly solution. I like these refillable glass bottles from Amazon that come with a custom ice tray, bottle brush, and funnel. And major health bonus - you'll save yourself from ingesting tens of thousands of micro or nano plastics from just one bottle.
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Say No to Straws: I love me a good jumbo-sized milkshake straw for my morning protein shake, but let's be honest, it's not a responsible choice for the environment. Drinking something icy cold often hurts my teeth, so sometimes a straw is a must in my morning routine. If you're like me and can't get super cold things down without a straw, opt for plant-based straws like these from Hay that are compostable, or purchase a reusable option like this from Bambu. Put one or two in your bag for lunch dates or beverages on the go, as well!
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Pack Your Lunch Plastic-Free: For the love of all that is good and holy, get rid of the Ziploc bags! There are tons of reusable options. If you must wrap something up, try a little foil (to be cleaned and recycled) or wax paper. Reusable, BPA-free silicone sandwich bags are a huge hit in my house for school lunches, but they also come in a wide variety of sizes to help with leftovers or to store washed veggies, fruit, cut-up lettuce, and more.
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No More Produce Plastic: Bring cotton or mesh bags to the store to bundle up your loose fruits and veggies while shopping. Reducing what you use at the store means reducing the plastic that will end up in your home. Am I right?
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Nix the Plastic Dinnerware for Kids: Plastic dinnerware made for kiddos can actually contain harmful chemicals. Opt for plastic-free plates and bowls made from stainless steel, food-grade silicone, or melamine-free bamboo. Make sure to think about sippy cups, too!
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Eco-Friendly Dishwasher Magic: Newer dishwashers actually use less water than hand washing. But those plastic-wrapped dishwasher tablets? Not cool. Individually wrapped ones with throw-away wrappers cause more plastic waste, and those that are wrapped in dissolvable plastic may actually not be all that good for the environment, either (more microplastic pollution in our waterways). Check out plastic-free options like this from Blueland.
Conquering your kitchen plastic habit is a major win for you and the planet. Start small, swap reusables for disposables, and be amazed at how much plastic you can eliminate in just a short amount of time!
