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We all know the kitchen is one area in our house that can accumulate a lot of plastic waste.
When I started living sustainably a few years ago, I realized that my efforts wouldn’t make much sense without making my kitchen plastic-free.
In our kitchens, we mostly use single-use plastics for food storage, grocery shopping, utensils, and dishwashing.
I don’t think I need to explain how these single-use plastics can damage our environment; we all know.
The simple way to avoid this is to create a plastic-free kitchen. In this post, I’ve included some easy tips to help you achieve a plastic-free kitchen.
Check Your Current Plastic Usage
When you plan to make your kitchen plastic-free, first you need to observe your current plastic usage. When I decided to make my kitchen plastic-free, I conducted a “plastic audit” of my kitchen. Here’s what you can do:
- Take a day to go through your drawers, pantry, and refrigerator.
- Identify which items are single-use plastics (think plastic wraps, disposable utensils, and food containers).
- Separate them into two piles: recyclable and non-recyclable.
This exercise helped me understand how much unnecessary plastic I had accumulated in my kitchen. This was my first step towards a plastic-free kitchen.
Switch to Reusable Alternatives
After the first step, you now know what are the unnecessary plastic items you have in your kitchen. So, start replacing these items with reusable alternatives. Here are a few easy swaps that worked for me:
- Beeswax wraps: I replaced plastic wraps with these natural, reusable alternatives. Beeswax wraps are perfect for covering bowls or wrapping sandwiches.
- Glass containers: I spent a few bucks on durable glass containers for leftovers. They’re better for your health and the planet.
- Stainless steel utensils: These utensils are sturdy and long-lasting. The plastic utensils we normally use end up in landfills.
- I use Mason jars for dry goods. They look beautiful on open shelving.
As per a report, Americans throw away 40 billion plastic utensils annually. So, replacing them with reusable ones like glass and stainless steel can make a real impact.
Shop Smarter for a Plastic-Free Kitchen
I also realized that our shopping habits play a huge role in reducing kitchen waste. When I started shopping more consciously, I noticed some genuine changes.
Here’s how you can shop smarter:
- Buy in bulk: Bring your own containers to bulk food stores to avoid excess packaging. I have written a detailed blog about how buying in bulk can help in reducing wastage.
- Use reusable cotton produce bags and mesh bags for grocery buying.
- Choose recyclable packaging: Always use glass jars, cardboard, or aluminum for packaging over plastic.
- Visit farmers’ markets: You’ll find fresh produce without the unnecessary plastic wrap.
Local farmers’ markets in New Jersey often have amazing plastic-free options, and shopping there feels great because you’re supporting the community, too.
Adopt Sustainable Dishwashing Practices
When we think about plastic-free kitchens, it should not be limited to just food storage. Even our dishwashing routine should also be part of our sustainable changes:
- Biodegradable sponges: For dishwashing, I have replaced traditional sponges with compostable ones made from natural fibers.
- Refillable dish soap: Here in New Jersey we have refill stations. If refill stations aren’t available where you live, choose brands that offer package-free options
- DIY cleaning solutions: Mix baking soda and vinegar to create an effective, eco-friendly cleaner. I have written a detailed blog about making our own homemade natural cleaning solutions.
When I switched to these options, I noticed my kitchen smelled fresher and more natural, and I wasn’t throwing away sponges every few weeks.
Eco-Friendly Kitchen Tools and Utensils
There are many eco-friendly options available for the kitchen tools and utensils. Recently, I found fantastic wooden spoons at my local farmers’ market in Princeton for just $5 each. They’ve outlasted any plastic utensil I’ve ever owned.
You can also consider these eco-friendly swaps:
- Bamboo cutting boards (they’re naturally antimicrobial)
- Wooden cooking utensils
- Stainless steel measuring cups and spoons
- Silicon spatulas (the only non-plastic alternative that works well for baking)
Repurpose Existing Plastic
A plastic-free kitchen does not mean you have to toss out all the plastic items you currently own. You can be creative with those plastic items and repurpose them:
- Use old containers to store non-food items like buttons or screws.
- Turn plastic jars into mini planters for herbs.
- Donate usable items to community centers or schools.
When I repurposed my old containers into herb planters, it was a fun project, and now I have fresh basil and cilantro growing in my kitchen.
Involve Your Family in the Process
Going plastic-free is easier when everyone in the household is on board. You can encourage your family to participate in the process:
- Educate them: Share facts, like how plastic waste contributes to pollution. For example, the U.S. generated 35.7 million tons of plastic waste in a single year, according to the EPA.
- Make it fun: Create challenges like a “no plastic week” or track how much waste you’re reducing.
- Celebrate milestones: When my family achieved our first plastic-free month, we treated ourselves to a home-cooked, zero-waste meal.
Start your plastic-free kitchen task with easier changes like switching to reusable containers made of glass and stainless steel.
Later, you can gradually adopt more changes that can help you reduce plastic usage. Repurposing the existing plastic items and involving your family in the process makes this task smoother and more fun.
I hope the simple changes I have mentioned in this post will help you start your plastic-free journey.
If you think I have missed out on any important method, that already works for you, then let me know in the comment box.
