7 Tips for reducing Single-Use Plastic in Your Kitchen

7 Tips For Reducing Single-Use Plastic In Your Home Kitchen 

By now everyone pretty much knows that single-use plastic is mucking up the environment and it really isn’t an issue of “is it or isn’t it” at this point. We know that plastic is causing problems, the real mission is to get people unstuck from the belief that ditching their fast food straws can’t undo the last 70+ years worth of damage. Even though we can’t undo what’s been done, we can certainly make small and large steps towards ending the spread of the crisis. That’s why we want to reduce our reliance on single-use plastic and on unnecessary plastic in general. Here are 7 tips on how you can reduce plastic use in your home kitchen or while shopping for food.

#1. Use washable mesh produce bags.

One way to eliminate plastic while you are shopping is by using washable mesh produce bags. When you go to add apples to your shopping cart you’ll notice a large roll of plastic bags next to every produce table. Eliminate this unnecessary plastic by bringing your own reusable mesh bags. 

#2. Replace plastic containers with reusable glass jars.

Use glass jars when possible to store food in your pantry or fridge. If you buy bulk items store them in glass jars rather than in plastic bags. Glass is easier to clean than plastic and makes a fantastic source for storing leftovers as well. Glass food storage containers can make your life easier and help improve the environment at the same time. 

#3. Switch from plastic wrap and ziplock bags to reusable kitchen wraps.

Did you know they make reusable wraps and bags for small food storage like sandwiches and leftovers? You can check out some of these zero waste products here.

#4. Use steel containers for pantry staples.

If you use plastic containers to keep pantry staples fresh, consider using steel containers instead. Steel containers last longer and keep food fresher anyway. This will cut down on rodent problems and infestations as well. 

#5. Start using reusable grocery bags at the store.

It’s 2020, everyone should be bringing their own reusable bags to the grocery store by now. In some areas that have actually banned the use of plastic bags. You can be the change you wish to see in the world by investing in some reusable non-plastic or recycled shopping bags. You can use these bags for food, clothes, or anything else you shop for.

#6. Add a metal compost bin to your kitchen counter.

Composting is great for the environment and you can store green and brown kitchen waste in a cute metal compost bin that’s designed to look great in your kitchen. You can add paper, kitchen scraps, coffee grounds, and many other things to your bin. Turn that waste into compost to grow a beautiful or fruitful garden. 

#7. Start using metal straws instead of plastic ones. 

Ditching plastic straws isn’t just for modern tween VSCO girls. Everyone should be helping to eliminate plastic waste by ditching the straw or switching to metal reusable straws. A straw by itself might seem like a small thing but when you add up the amount we use it can be upwards of 2,000 tons a year. 

If we all pull together and make an effort to reduce plastic waste then together we can make a huge difference in climate control and pollution. The condition of the planet we leave to our children is being decided by our everyday actions now. Challenge your family, friends, and neighbors to eliminate single-use plastic in their homes and their lifestyles