The Easiest Ways to Use Less Plastic in the Kitchen

Plastic has become a pretty hot topic lately, and for good reason. The stuff is notorious for being unrecyclable, and so most of our discarded plastic ends up in the oceans, creating serious issues for wildlife. Staples from plastic wrap to resealable bags can be found in pretty much every kitchen, so it might be hard to imagine getting rid of plastic completely, but reducing your use is definitely doable! Here are a few tips on the simple, everyday ways to turn your kitchen into a more eco-friendly space!

Consider making a switch away from your go-to plastic bags that you use when packing lunches or stowing away snacks. While they might mean no dishes to wash and easy storage, they definitely don’t bode well in the long run. Instead, try out reusable containers made from glass or stainless steel for a cost-efficient and environmentally friendly way to store your food!

One of the biggest culprits when it comes to plastic use in the kitchen is the wrap that we use to cover bowls and other containers for storage in the fridge. There are tons of alternatives to plastic wrap out there, from beeswax to cotton, that are super-effective at both preserving your food and curbing plastic use.

On your next grocery trip, remember to bring your own bags to take your produce home! Many stores offer low-cost reusable bags available for purchase at the register. This way, you can tote your goods around without the need for unsustainable, single-use plastic. When you’re shopping, you can also reduce the plastic packaging that comes with your purchases by skipping the plastic bags when you collect produce, or by shopping at local markets.

Sure, those throwaway utensils might come in handy at dinner parties, but they don’t necessarily have to be made of plastic! You can now buy disposable wooden cutlery that is totally biodegradable, so you can toss out used utensils without having to worry about the negative environmental impact. Other handy tools in your kitchen also have more sustainable alternatives, from steel ice cube trays to steel straws to replace plastic ones.

Did you know that the brushes that are often found in our kitchens to clean the sinks are usually made from plastic and other synthetic materials? Consider investing in some new, eco-friendly cleaning brushes that use natural materials and are also easy to use.