How to Go Plastic-free in the Kitchen?
Having a plastic-free home doesn’t happen overnight.
The truth is that it can be a long but rewarding journey. And most people would agree that the kitchen is one of the hardest rooms to get rid of plastics.
Think about all the plastics you bring home from the supermarket or the kitchen sponge you discard every week, just to name a few.
But don’t worry, it doesn’t mean it’s impossible to have a plastic-free kitchen!
In this article, you will find 4 easy steps to reduce your plastic waste in the kitchen and transform it into a plastic-free room!
Plastic has become a common material in every house, school, café, and almost any place you could think of. So, it’s not surprising that many people struggle to go plastic-free.
Even though plastics make people’s lives easier, they’re very problematic for the environment.
When you throw plastics away, they have to go somewhere.
Usually, they end up in landfills where they will take centuries to degrade.
That’s a waste of land for too much time!
Most of the time, they make their way into the oceans where they kill thousands of marine animals every year!
That’s why it’s important to find plastic-free alternatives to reduce plastic waste as much as you can.
4 Simple Steps to Go Plastic-free in the Kitchen
When you’re in your kitchen, you should only worry about preparing or eating delicious foods.
But what could be better than enjoying your foods and knowing you’re not sending plastics to the oceans?
You can make this possible with these easy steps to reduce plastic waste in your kitchen:
Step #1: Make Plastic-free Choices at the Supermarket
First of all, let’s talk about your choices at the supermarket. What you bring home can have a big impact on how much plastic waste you end up discarding.
If you want to have a plastic-free kitchen, keep in mind these tips the next time you go grocery shopping:
- Say No to Plastic Bags: Before leaving your house, remember to bring your reusable shopping bags with you. This is one of the easiest ways to reduce plastic waste, so don’t forget your bags at home!
- Buy Loose Produce: It might be tempting to buy some pre-cut veggies, but you will end up with lots of unnecessary plastic waste in your kitchen. If you want to cut down on plastic packaging, buying loose veggies and fruits is the right choice!
- Avoid Plastic Packaging: When possible, choose products that come in plastic-free packaging or buy in bulk to reduce waste.
- Prepare Your Snacks and Convenience Foods: Instead of buying pre-prepared foods, you could try cooking some of them from scratch. You can find many recipes online to prepare muffins, hummus, pancakes, corn tortillas, salad dressings, and more!
Step #2: Store Your Food without Using Plastic
Keep in mind that having a plastic-free kitchen doesn’t mean that you need to throw away your old plastic containers.
On the contrary, you should use them as much as you can to prevent waste and replace them only if they’re broken.
Before buying new plastic containers and wraps, check these plastic-free kitchen storage options:
Beeswax Food Wraps or Vegan Food Wraps
If cling film is one of your best friends in the kitchen, then you should try these eco-friendly alternatives!
Unlike plastic cling film, these options are natural, reusable, and versatile.
But more importantly, these reusable food wraps won’t affect nature once you’re done with them because they’re biodegradable!
Beeswax food wraps work as well as plastic cling film and there are many beautiful patterns you can choose from.
So, they’re a fantastic option to replace your boring and harmful plastic wrap!
Glass Jars
Glass jars are a super versatile option for zero waste enthusiasts.
You can always find ways to use them around the house. And when it comes to the kitchen, they’re a great plastic-free storage option to replace old plastic containers.
You can use them to store your dry goods, homemade sauce, leftovers, and more.
Plus, they will make your kitchen look fantastic!
Step #3: Avoid Takeaways
Takeaways are a great option for those days when you’re tired and don’t want to spend time cooking.
Unfortunately, they come with a price.
Once in a while, you could try to avoid takeaways and prepare something on your own to avoid plastic containers.
You could store meals for these days or find quick recipes to prepare.
Another great option is taking your food home in your own lunch box.
Remember that the easiest way to have a plastic-free kitchen is not bringing new plastics home!
Step #4: Wash the Dishes Plastic-free
Now let’s cover one of the most hated activities in the kitchen: washing the dishes.
Your plastic-free kitchen wouldn’t be complete if you keep using a plastic sponge and discarding plastic bottles every week! For that reason, here are some alternatives to wash your dishes without using plastics:
Biodegradable Dish Sponge
Did you know that your yellow-green sponges release tiny plastics while you use them? On top of that, they aren’t recyclable.
That’s why you should replace them with a plastic-free alternative like a biodegradable sponge.
Unlike regular kitchen sponges, these sponges are made from plants!
Coconut Dish Brush
A coconut dish brush is another plastic-free alternative to kitchen sponges, plastic dish brushes, and scouring pads.
Besides being made of natural fibres and wood, it will remove the toughest grease without scratching things!
Natural Washing-Up Soap Bar
If you want to stop discarding plastic bottles of liquid dish soap, then you should give washing-up soap bars a try.
This plastic-free alternative is free of harsh chemicals, so it won’t pollute waterways and it won’t dry your skin either.
Moreover, they will last longer than regular liquid dish soaps!
Conclusion
With these easy recommendations, you can start making some small changes to reduce your plastic waste.
And sooner than you think, you will have an eco-friendly and plastic-free kitchen!
