5 Simple Plastic-Free Kitchen Swaps

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We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.

– Anne-Marie Bonneau

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It’s Plastic Free July! If you’ve never heard of it, Plastic Free July is a movement that helps people become more aware of single-use plastic (hint: it’s everywhere) and take steps – big or small – to reduce single-use plastic in their everyday lives.

Every minute, the equivalent of one garbage truck full of plastic is dumped into our oceans. 😳And plastic is toxic to our health. So… reducing our plastic use is pretty important.

The kitchen is one area of the home where single-use plastic easily sneaks in (hi, condiment containers, Ziplocs, take-out containers, plastic grocery bags, and on and on). But luckily, there are many easy ways we can reduce single-use plastic, especially in the kitchen. It’s all about the simple swaps.

I’m by no means perfect (aka plastic-free), but I’ve been slowly transitioning to more sustainable plastic alternatives since interviewing Shannon of Mama Eco last summer. Here are just a few easy ways to ditch some plastic in the kitchen.

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Cook At Home

This one is obvious, but easy to forget. Cooking simple meals at home = less takeout = less plastic use. Simple as that.

If you decide to get takeout here are two ways to use less plastic:

1. Call the restaurant ahead of time and ask if they will allow you to bring your own containers (note: this is unlikely during the pandemic, but good to note for later!).
2. Let the restaurant know that you don’t need cutlery! If ordering online, there is usually a place to add a note within the delivery service app.

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Ditch the Ziplocs

This might be my favorite plastic-free swap because it couldn’t be easier. Ditch Ziplocs and opt for Stasher Bags instead. I used to use Ziplocs for everything (storing half an onion, packing snacks, freezing cooked beans, etc.) but I switched to Stasher Bags and haven’t looked back. They do everything Ziplocs do but… better. And, they’re dishwasher-safe.

Say Goodbye to Plastic Wrap

Another super simple swap: trade in plastic wrap for Bee’s Wrap! Bee’s Wrap is a reusable plastic wrap alternative made of organic cotton and coated with sustainably sourced beeswax. You can use Bee’s Wrap just as you would plastic wrap: wrapping cheese, sandwiches, produce, etc. Just remember to wash with cold water since washing with warm water will make the natural wax a bit too sticky.

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Buy Package-Free Groceries

Try to find a bulk section where you can get nuts, grains, beans, pasta, and more – completely package-free!

And this goes without saying: opt for produce that isn’t wrapped or packaged in plastic.

I love these cotton produce bags and these cotton bulk bin bags for plastic-free grocery shopping.

Swap Your Sponges

Did you know that most commercial sponges are made of plastic? I didn’t. This means that small plastic particles wash down the drain and old sponges get thrown into landfills. It took me a long time to find an eco-friendly sponge alternative that I actually like, but I finally did! I use a combination of these two products:

1. Scrub brush made with natural bristles for pots and pans.
2. Pop-up sponges made with natural vegetable cellulose (they’re compostable!) for everything else.

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And there you have it! Five easy, sustainable swaps to use less plastic in the kitchen. Remember: small changes add up and perfection is not required. 😉

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Do you have any plastic-free kitchen alternatives you love? Let me know in the comments!

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