5 Simple Tips For Creating A Plastic Free Kitchen

Are you on a quest to live a more sustainable, healthy and ethical lifestyle? A good way to challenge yourself is to start by going plastic free, particularly in your kitchen.

WHY ELIMINATE PLASTICS?

Plastic is not only dangerous to the environment but it is harmful to human health. Toxic chemicals exude out of plastics and are commonly found in blood and tissue in nearly all of us. This can lead to a whole range of health problems. Additionally, plastic waste takes hundredths and even thousands of years to break down, so the environmental damage is long lasting. Plastic pollution of all types harms all living creatures which can injure, poison and even kill wildlife.

A good first step is to eliminate single use plastics like cling wrap, zip lock bags, coffee cups, straws and plastic bags. Lucky for us, environmentally friendly alternatives are becoming more easily available. Metal straws, reusable coffee cups, cotton shopping bags are all available in most department stores like Kmart and Big W. Here’s some more great tips to start your plastic free journey.

CUT OUT SINGLE USE PLASTICS

Swap out your plastic zip lock bags with better alternatives like Eco Pockets. These are made from PEVA (polyethylene vinyl acetate) which is a is a non-chlorinated vinyl, often used as a healthier alternative to PVC (polyvinyl chloride). Eco Pockets are completely reusable and you can store lunch, snacks or fresh produce. After use, simply pop them in the dishwasher or hand wash them.

ALTERNATIVE TO CLING WRAP

Eliminate the need for cling wrap with Wrappa Organic Cotton Vegan Wax Wraps. Instead of using beeswax, these vegan wraps are made from cotton, plant waxes, tree resin and jojoba oil. These wraps are awesome to wrap fruit and veggies in the fridge, cover leftovers, fermented foods, wrap sandwiches or cover salad bowls. They are flexible and perfect to fit over leftovers with a slightly self-sticking material.

PLASTIC FREE STORAGE

When we all got obsessed with Tupperware, we were totally unaware of the dangers of plastic. Now it’s time to swap your plastic storage with glass containers. There’s a number of great alternatives, including the Glasslock Oven Safe Containers (only $41.95 for a 3 piece set.) While these have a BPA free plastic lid, I chose to use them without the lid and cover food with other alternatives like Wrappa or plastic free lids (I’ll get to these below)! For total plastic free food storage alternatives I love Biome’s Good To Go Glass and Bamboo Containers or the Green Essentials Leak Resistant Lunch Box for your lunches.

PLASTIC FREE LIDS

Like me, if you already have glass containers and are looking to replace the plastic lids, try the Ever Eco Reusable Silicone Food Covers! These are made from silicone and are perfect to stretch over a range of containers in different shapes and sizes. They keep food fresh with an airtight seal and come in six handy sizes. In addition, these silicone covers are suitable for use in the fridge, freezer and microwave. Plus they are oven safe up to 200°C!

PLASTIC FREE KITCHEN UTENSILS

Have you considered swapping your cutting boards to bamboo versions? Not only are they plastic free but they look more stylish and can double as serving boards. Next, swap your dish brushes for ones with plant fibre bristles – great for use as an all-round washing up tool or vegetable scrubber. Have a plastic kitchen drying rack? Swap this one for stainless steel or bamboo! How about your utensils? Instead of using spatulas, forks and spoons, swap them for bamboo versions at Biome.