Bring Reusable Bags To The Grocery Store
Eliminating plastic grocery bags is a great first step towards a plastic-free kitchen. According to Conserving Now people consume more than 500 million plastic bags every year. That’s major source of plastic going from the grocery store to your kitchen.
Instead of bagging your groceries in plastic, why not purchase a set of reusable tote bags! Unlike single use plastic bags, you can use a sturdy set of reusable bags for hundreds of trips to the store. They’re also great to use at the pharmacy, farmers market, and any other retail stores that use plastic bags.
Get Cotton Bags For Your Produce
Produce bags used to store fruits and vegetables can add a heap of unnecessary plastic to your kitchen. Grocery stores themselves aren’t helping. Most supermarkets encourage you to get separate bags for each piece of produce you buy. Do you really need an individual bag for the apple, carrot, and cucumber you buy at the store? I don’t think so!
Reusable produce bags are a great alternative to plastic produce bags you find at the grocery store. They’re strong, and durable so you can fit a lot of produce in them. Plus they’re made from certified organic cotton, and also made entirely from solar power, which makes it a low-emission and low-waste purchase. Win-win!
Make More Homemade Food In Your Kitchen
Many common items in your kitchen come covered in plastic. Everything from sauces and snacks in your fridge to the pasta and bread in your pantry come wrapped in plastic. You can cut back on this plastic packaging by trying homemade recipes for these items.
There are a ton of delicious homemade recipes for sauces and condiments that don’t involve buying in a plastic container. If you want to take things a step further you can make foods like bread and pasta from scratch.
Replace Ziplock Bags With Reusable Alternatives
Ziplock bags are one of the most wasteful uses of plastic in your kitchen. Thankfully there are other convenient ways to store items like sandwiches, vegetables, and frozen meats. Silicone food storage bags are an excellent substitute for plastic ziplocks. They’re great for preserving food, but unlike their plastic counterparts they’re easy to clean out and reuse.
You’ll also save money in the long run because you no longer need to buy plastic ziplock bags at the store. This is just one of many examples that prove using less plastic can be good for both the environment and your bank account.
Switch to Glass Containers
Storing leftovers in plastic tupperware is a thing of the past. Research has shown that plastic microparticles and toxic chemicals can seep into our food and drinks, causing harm to our health. The safest food storage container you can buy today is glass; we recommend buying from US manufacturers, such as Pyrex or Anchor Hocking.
A few years ago, glass containers were a little expensive and hard to come by… but since the prices have come down, and more manufacturers are adding glass containers to their product lines, it’s become much more accessible. If you think glass containers are too fragile and heavy, your next best bet would be a container made from 304-grade stainless steel, or silicone.
Buy Bee’s Wrap Instead Of Plastic Wrap
Bee’s wrap is a fantastic natural alternative to the plastic wrap you use to keep items fresh in your kitchen. It’s made from a variety of organic materials like bee’s wax, jojoba oil, tree resin, and organic cotton. Unlike single use plastic wrap you can safely wash and reuse the material after you’re done with it, making it an excellent sustainable way to keep your food fresh.
Purchase A Reusable Water Bottle
Plastic water bottles drive us crazy! They’re expensive, terrible for the environment, and take up space in your kitchen. If you’re trying to live a more sustainable lifestyle there is no reason to buy them, unless during emergencies or natural disasters where it is vital to have safe drinking water.
You won’t regret buying a reusable water bottle. They not only cut down on plastic, but are a great way to stay hydrated on the go. Plus you’ll save money and space in your kitchen!
Get Rid Of Plastic Straws
We’re not sure why people buy stacks of plastic straws in the first place, but they seem to be in many people’s kitchens. If you’re having a drink at home, ditch the straw altogether. It’s an unnecessary use of plastic and easy to do without. If you must have a straw, we recommend getting a stainless steel one. They’re cheap, easy to clean, and reusable.
These 8 strategies will help you reduce the plastic waste in your kitchen. For the best results, select one or two of the ideas to begin with. Start small and gain momentum with each new challenge you take on. Before you know it you’ll be on your way to a plastic-free kitchen!
