PLASTIC REDUCTION   CHALLENGE #4  

 

THE KITCHEN!

         

The Challenge – Begin the process of removing the plastic in your kitchen by replacing your current, plastic-heavy products with some healthier and more sustainable options. From kitchen cleaning supplies to food storage to food shopping and take out, look for options that will not break down into micro and nano- plastics in your food and air.

You may have heard that the typical American currently ingests a credit card worth of plastic every single week (that’s 52 credit cards a year!).  This plastic generally comes in the form of micro and nano-plastics that are already in your food or picked up by your foods as they are stored, prepared, heated, frozen, kept in the sun or put in your mouth via plastic bottles, dishware and utensils.  

Studies have already begun to link the buildup of nano-plastics in our bodies to heart, brain, various organ, developmental, and hormonal illnesses.  

 

First 4 tips for reducing your chances of ingesting more plastics from food and drink.

1) Remember to take your reusable mug or bottle when on the go and refuse single-use plastic bottles.

We’re lucky to have incredible access to safe drinking water so taking your reusable water bottle avoids unnecessary single-use plastic bottles and their unintended damaging impacts to our health, our surroundings and our planet. Keep your bottle in a handy location so you always remember it. If you accidentally forget, you can always:  drink from a water fountain, ask your cafe for a glass of water or make do in the workplace with a mug or clean jar.  And don’t forget to take your own reusable when traveling to reduce your impact on the beautiful places you love to visit.

2) Have a set of reusable shopping and produce bags in a handy location

Most of us already have way more reusable bags than we need, but they are only reusable if you remember them. Spread them around and keep bags at work for a quick take out, the car or bicycle basket, at the front door, or where you keep essentials such as keys, phone and glasses. If you don’t have enough bags to go around, consider making your own reusable shopping bags and zero waste produce bags using repurposed fabric or giving new life to items such as faded pillow cases. 

Many people get creative if they forget their reusable bags. If you get caught having forgotten, grab an empty cardboard box from the supermarket, carry just a few items in your arms , or take the shopping cart out to the car to unload them directly. 

• A motto to live by; If you don’t want microplastics in your body or your home, don’t put your food in plastic bags, bottles and storage. 

3) Reusable glass, metal, silicone, and wax storage containers and covers

When shopping, avoid pre-packaged foods or excessive plastic packaging on all items. Find your local stores that offer unpackaged fruit and vegetables as well as products packaged in returnable or refillable packaging. Many of our local stores are trying to find plastic packaging alternatives but it might take a bit of searching on lower or higher shelves to find these alternatives.

When storing food and leftovers there is always the tried and true upside down plate on a bowl or bowl on a plate. Reusable silicone bowl toppers or waxed clothes work well to cover food in bowls, pots and pans too.

For long term storage, it’s hard to beat glass or stainless steel containers such as old peanut but jars or bento boxes for storing nuts, grains, and dried foods or salads, soups and casseroles. 

Besides reducing the microplastics in our homes, rivers, and roadways, preventing the chance of lightweight cling wrap or plastic bags ending up in our natural environment will protect  wildlife who may mistake plastic for food.

 

4) Choose plastic free cleaning products and homemade alternatives

When it’s time to replace cleaning brushes and cloths, consider switching from synthetic to natural fibers for cleaning dishes and surfaces. There are plenty of alternatives on the market that can be composted at the end of their lifespan. You might consider reusing old socks or worn towels? Areas that require a bit of a scrub (like the grout between tiles) can be cleaned well with homemade or bulk-bought cleaning products applied with an old toothbrush. 

A simple, all-purpose cleaner of equal parts of white vinegar and water (vinegar is a recommended product for mold removal), or a simple water and baking soda paste for scrubbing that discolored grout and tile. Adding a few drops of essential oil or a squeeze of citrus juice will make homemade cleaning options smell great too.

I’m embarrassed to admit that I just recently came to understand that vacuuming and dusting regularly with a damp mop is an important way to remove dust containing plastic particles and chemicals before they can be inhaled or land in our drink and food.

The impact of making the shift away from kitchen plastics;

• Avoiding chemicals that can be toxic for yourself, your family and the planet. 

• Reducing plastic waste and the use of our natural resources in creating it.

• Saving money by buying in bulk or using homemade cleaning products.

 

While we all want to do what we can to go plastic free, we also need to call on our store owners and our lawmakers to require producers to take responsibility for the waste their products create. Or write directly to your favorite brands to ask for better non-plastic packaging and products. 

 

For more thoughts and ideas on reducing plastic in your home and life at https://www.plasticfreejuly.org/get-involved/what-you-can-do/plastic-water-bottles/