10 Tips for Going {Practically} Plastic-Free in the Kitchen

Learn how to work toward a plastic-free kitchen by swapping out disposable plastics and switching to reusable, refillable and plastic-free products in the kitchen. 

Plastic Free Kitchen

Imagine for a minute that you are in your kitchen. Take a quick walk around  – open up a few drawers and cupboards, take a look at what is on the countertops and underneath the sink. What’s one thing you find almost every place you look? Plastic 

No doubt you’ve heard that we have a bit of a plastic problem in our homes – but the good news is – the kitchen is one of the easiest places to make impactful changes and reduce our plastic footprint.

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Why Aim for a Plastic-Free Kitchen?

Whether you have been a plastic-free warrior for some time, or are new to the journey, let’s have a quick refresher on why you should care about reducing your use of plastic and aiming for a plastic-free kitchen. 

  • Plastics are made from non-renewable fossil fuels and creates a lot of pollution when produced.  
  • Chemicals can leach from plastics into food, especially when heated, when plastic is old or in contact with oily foods.
  • Many single-use plastic items are used in the kitchen – like plastic wrap, plastic bags, plastic containers for food and cleaning products.
  • Recycling is not the solution (only about 9% of plastics are recycled).

10 Tips for a Plastic-Free Kitchen

Most of the plastic items in your kitchen can be swapped out for plastic-free products – especially when you focus on eliminating single-use plastic and switching to refillable products.

Work your way through these 10 tips and you’ll be close to a plastic-free kitchen in no time!

1. Stop Using Plastic Wrap

You know that big box of plastic wrap that’s always in your kitchen drawer? Well how about you hide it in the basement for a bit and try to stop using it? It’s easier than you think once you start using all of the creative plastic wrap alternatives out there – like reusable bowl covers, silicone lids, or beeswax wraps.

Cleancult All-Purpose Cleaner

2. Commit to Refillable Cleaning Products

Take a quick look under your kitchen sink. I bet you’ll find a bunch of plastic bottles of cleaning products under there. Chances are you don’t need half of them. Switching to a refillable all purpose spray from Cleancult will save tons of plastic bottles from the trash and will simplify your cleaning routine. 

Cleancult makes eco-friendly cleaning products using saponified coconut oil as the main ingredient. Products come in recyclable glass bottles, and refills come in zero waste, recyclable milk cartons. Mindful Momma readers get 20% off your first purchase. 

Related: Tips for Plastic-Free Grocery Shopping

3. Transition to Plastic-Free Kitchen Tools

For years, plastic was the material of choice for kitchen utensils, gadgets and cutting boards. The truth is, wood and stainless steel are safer for your health and the planet, plus they are much nicer to use. A win-win all around!

Plastic-free Kitchen Glass Food containers

4. Opt for Glass Food Storage Containers

Plastic food containers are popular, but they may be leaching chemicals into your food, especially when heated in the microwave. Avoid that concern by switching over to glass for food storage in your kitchen. Get creative by reusing old Mason jars, pasta jars or other glass food containers, or purchase a set of durable glass food storage containers with lids to make sure you have what you need. 

5. Stock up on Reusable Bags

Reusable bags have many uses in the kitchen and are the perfect sub for disposable plastic bags. Silicone food bags can hold just about anything and go easily from cupboard to fridge to freezer. Cotton Vegibags are perfect for storing produce in the refrigerator. Reusable cloth bags are a great go-to for snacks and sandwiches. 

Cleancult dish products

6. Switch to Plastic-Free Dishwashing Products

A surprising amount of plastic waste comes from dishwashing products – from the plastic bottles of dish soap and dishwasher detergent, to the plastic sponges and dish brushes we rely on. The good news is – you can go almost completely plastic-free when you switch to refillable dishwashing products from Cleancult, as well as plastic-free sponges and eco-friendly dish brushes.

With Cleancult you can buy a refillable glass bottle and dish liquid refill boxes in three scents – grapefruit basil, lemongrass and blue sage. Cleancult dishwasher tablets are 100% biodegradable and wrapped in a water-soluble film that dissolves in the wash. Store them in a reusable glass jar and you’ll never have to buy big plastic jugs of dishwasher detergent again!

7. Make Your Morning Coffee Plastic-Free

Who says coffee has to be brewed in a big plastic machine with wasteful plastic pods? Brew a healthier, more eco-friendly cup with a French press coffee maker or a pour over coffee maker with a stainless steel filter.

Cleancult cleaning products

8. Keep Refillable Hand Soap at the Kitchen Sink

Count up all the plastic bottles of hand soap you use in a year and I bet you’ll be surprised. By switching to refillable hand soap from Cleancult, you’ll be doing your part for the planet – plus the glass bottle looks much better sink-side than any plastic bottle every will. 

9. Avoid Plastic Dishes

Plastic dishes and cups are a staple in some kitchens – especially when kids are around. But plastic is linked with hormone disruption and that’s something you want to avoid, especially with kids. Instead of plastic, stock your cupboards with inexpensive ceramic dishes or a set of colorful recycled bamboo dinnerware

Plastic-free Kitchen produce bags

10. Skip Plastic at the Grocery

When we unload our weekly groceries, we often bring a bunch of unexpected plastic into the kitchen – in the form of plastic bags and plastic packaging. This is a hard habit to break but it is possible to avoid most plastic at the grocery store if you try. To begin, be prepared with a set of reusable produce bags and grocery shopping bags. Shop for package free items from the produce and bulk bin sections, and go for glass over plastic whenever possible. You’ve got this!

Give Cleancult A Try

Here’s what I love about Cleancult:

Cleancult is rethinking the cleaning industry – from ingredients to packaging to shipping.

  • Non-toxic, plant-based formulas that harness the power of coconuts and other biodegradable ingredients, creating products that are tough on grit and grime but gentle on people and the planet.
  • Committed to refillable products with low-waste, practically plastic-free packaging.
  • Shipping model is sustainable and carbon-neutral.
  • Switching to Cleancult can eliminate up to 44 pounds of plastic per year

Have you tried Cleancult cleaning products? What do you think?

green & healthy wishes Micaela signature

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