Tag: Health & Safety

So while things like plastic containers and bags are convenient and have been commonplace for as long as I can remember, I decided that the convenience isn’t worth the possible effects on my family’s health — so here’s what I tried instead.

First, I decided to replace all of the cutting boards in my kitchen. I had a pack of cheap flexible cutting boards that had honestly been grossing me out for a while. Over time, the boards had become stained and scratched up and had visible pieces of tiny plastic coming off from knife cuts over time. 

I replaced them with a few wood cutting boards from brands like Viking and Kenmore that I knew would be high-quality and hold up over time. (I especially loved this one from Viking that has compartments to separate all of your chopped foods!).

Next on the chopping block were the plastic food storage containers I often used to store (and reheat) leftovers in. Not only were the containers potentially leaking microplastics every time they touched hot food, but they also created a huge mess of mismatched lids and containers in my cabinet. 

Next, I swapped out plastic cooking tools like spatulas and serving spoons with silicone and metal ones. While silicone may look and feel similar to plastic, it has a different molecular structure, so it doesn’t shed microplastics in the same way standard plastic does. 

I love this silicone set from Great Jones. Their cooking tools and cookware come in so many fun colors, like blueberry and bright pink. They also do fun collabs and collections for movies like Ratatouille. I found metal cooking tools from Viking, Smithey, and Piglet In Bed (which also makes really cute table linens) that I really enjoyed using every day.

I also decided to switch out some of the single-use plastic items and containers I use on a daily basis. I use olive oil in my cooking pretty often, which also means that I go through plastic bottles of it quickly. I feel bad every time I have to recycle one, so I’ve been wanting to get a reusable container for a while. This way, I could also head to a local refill store so it doesn’t come in a plastic bottle in the first place! 

I discovered ceramic artist Gina Desantis, who makes beautiful pieces in earthy tones that I knew would look great in my kitchen. Each piece is handmade so no two ever look the same, resulting in some really beautiful and unique pieces. I went with the oil cruet with a sort of brown ombré effect. The container comes with an effective metal spout and rubber cover that allows for the perfect pour every time. (You can also find some of her products on Anthropologie!). 

To replace the plastic storage bags that I often use to marinate meats in the fridge or store chopped veggies, I went with these stainless steel prep trays from Japanese brand JOC Goods. These trays truly make me feel like a professional chef whenever I use them! Not only is the presentation great, but they’re also really convenient to use and clean in the dishwasher.

If you’re worried about what to do with your old plastic kitchen items, there are plenty of places you can sell, donate, or recycle them. Look into local food banks, shelters, or animal rescues to see if they’re in need of anything you’re discarding. (As long as the plastic isn’t being used to touch food directly, it’s harder for microplastics to be ingested.)

Of course, you don’t have to get rid of them at all if you’re really after reducing your waste output. Items like plastic bags and containers can be reused again and again until the wheels fall off, so to speak. Before getting rid of your plastic kitchen items, here are some ways to reuse them around your home:

Overall, the transition from plastic to its alternatives in the kitchen was fairly easy — far less difficult than I imagined it’d be. I’m not sure if it’s because of recent studies about microplastics or consumer demand for plastic alternatives, but so many brands have tons of great nonplastic options, and they’re only getting more and more commonplace.

I don’t plan on going back to using plastic for any of the kitchen items I already replaced, even after just a month of use. Because all of them were built to last! In the first 30 days, I noticed how much less waste I had created, which meant I was taking the trash and recycling out less frequently, and it felt good to be getting a little bit closer to zero waste. 

And while the initial investment in some of these replacements might cost more than buying their plastic competitors, it’s definitely worth it in the long term. If you want to try making the change but don’t have the budget to replace your entire kitchen at once, try doing it slowly. Replace a few items here and there until you’re totally plastic-free in the kitchen. The planet and your body will thank you.