reducing plastic use: kitchen edition
from being fossil fuel derived, to releasing toxic chemicals into our environment, to accumulation of microplastics in our oceans and in our bodies, it’s fair to say plastics are not good. while i certainly do not live a plastic free or zero waste lifestyle, i do try to make conscious choices and swaps to reduce my plastic use and overall waste as possible.
here are a few of my go to kitchen items that have helped me to reduce single use plastics in my home:
silicone baking mats: these reusable mats not only replace one-time use parchment and wax paper, but are also super helpful for clean up. I find them much easier to clean than the pans themselves. if you take good care of these mats, they should last for years. most companies will guide you to not use them over certain heat thresholds (~475F) and to not cut anything directly on them as scratches in the surface can release fiberglass. at the end of their life, these mats are generally not recyclable but check with your local provider. some companies, such as Simple Ecology, are now setting up their own silicone recycling programs too.
stojo coffee mugs: i’ve talked about these loads before and for good reason. stojo has long been my go to coffee mug. it comes in ton of beautiful colors, is lightweight and easy to bring with you, and replaces to-go coffee cups — which are plastic coated and not recyclable!!!
silicone stretchy bowl covers: these are such a great swap for plastic / cling wrap. similar to the baking mats, the environmental benefits of silicone bowl covers is that they can be reused over and over again and will not leak microplastics into the environment. as noted above, at the end of their life, the most eco-friendly option is to find a local facility or a company that accepts silicone products for recycling. i have a set of silicone lids, similar to these, that fit over a variety of sized bowls that i’ve been using for years and still look brand new. highly recommend!!
cloth produce bags: this simple swap is a great way to reduce plastic in your weekly grocery shop. instead of using the flimsy plastic bags to just transport your produce from the store to your home, try cotton produce bags like these. they are reusable, easily washable, and arguably cuter than the plastic alternatives.
biodegradable or compostable sponges: most sponges are made of plastic components and need to be tossed in the trash and will not break down naturally. biodegradable and compostable sponges are preferable because they are made from natural materials vs. fossil fuel based plastics and will not release microplastics. if you can choose between the two compostable is preferable as biodegradable products can sometimes include toxic components. these compostable ones from Zero Waste Outlet are a great option!
biodegradable vs. compostable …. what’s the difference?
biodegradable = materials that will break down into typically harmless compounds but can also be petroleum based plastics that break down faster and leave behind toxic components. biodegradable products typically takes longer to break down than compostable items
compostable = plant based materials that break down into organic matter in a compostable environment. compostable items leave behind no toxic components once they have broken down
all compostable items are biodegradable, not all biodegradable items are compostable!
