5 Easy Ways to Cut Down on Plastic in the Kitchen

When living in a small space, items that can play double or even triple duty are of the essence. Mixing bowls are a staple in my kitchen, and I use them for everything from washing veggies and herbs to tossing greens with dressing, whipping up marinades for proteins, mixing pancake batter, and the list goes on and on. 

Once the interior of my plastic mixing bowl started to wear down, I knew it was time to make a change. I went for this stainless steel version from Williams Sonoma, which comes in a set of three, and, let’s face it, is much better looking to boot. They’re easy to store since each bowl nestles into another, and I feel much better about throwing them in the dishwasher rather than the plastic variety.

Since my husband and I cook often, our cutting boards are among the most heavily utilized items in our kitchen. Rigorous knifework and daily runs through the dishwasher mean that our trusty cutting boards get their fair share of wear and tear. 

It took me a while to come to terms with the fact that my favorite cutting board, from an Instagram-famous brand, was sprinkling plastic into my food. This wasn’t speculation. I once found a sky-blue shred on a piece of toast that bore an eerie resemblance to the very same cutting board I happened to be using. I shouldn’t have been surprised; the surface of the board was significantly battered and scratched. Even the skeptics can agree: Ingesting visible pieces of plastic can’t be very good for you. 

I brought my wooden cutting boards out from retirement, which includes this double-sided butcher’s block from Made In. It’s sturdy, easy to care for, and has a large enough surface area for a variety of culinary tasks. 

I gave up aluminum foil years ago, switched to parchment paper, and have never looked back. It’s wildly versatile, and not just for baking. I use it in lieu of plastic wrap or zip-top bags when storing cheese or wrapping up cookie dough for a quick chill in the fridge. 

Parchment paper is typically coated in silicone, which gives it a nonstick effect. I like this version from If You Care. 

I wasn’t aware that my daily cup of tea would be at risk of plastic pollution, and yet here we are. According to a recent study conducted by researchers at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, polymer-based tea bags were found to leach up to billions of microplastic and nanoplastic particles. 

In hindsight, it makes sense. We’ve been advised to avoid heating food in plastic containers, pouring boiling water over plastic isn’t all that different. Even “food grade” plastics, such as those used to make tea bags, can break down at high temperatures, releasing harmful materials. 

In an effort to be more mindful of what I was consuming, I sought out tea brands that utilize natural fibers, such as paper or cotton, for their tea bags. Luckily, one of my favorite brands, Teapigs, fell into that category. I drink chamomile tea every night before bed, and theirs is made up of whole flowers (no tea dust here) encased in a tea bag made from wood pulp. 

On a similar note, our tests of brewed tea for contaminants last year found very little to be concerned about. We didn’t find concerning levels of plasticizers (phthalates) in any of the 30 brews we tested.

Loose-leaf teas are another easy way to bypass plastic tea bags—just use a stainless steel steeper, which can go directly into your cup. Pro tip: When making a big batch of tea, use a French press. Its filter doubles as a steeper. 

Shop stainless steel steepers: $6 at Amazon

Much of our food, such as meat and dairy products, greens, and fruit, is packaged in plastic. While we can’t control what a grocery store does, we can definitely take better measures at home. Cue glass food storage containers.

I use mine for storing leftovers just as much as, if not more than, for stockpiling ingredients I know I’ll be using (or snacking on) each week. They’re perfect for preserving freshly cut vegetables, washed herbs, or blocks of cheese. On any given day, you can find neatly stacked containers of celery, carrots, and various alliums in my fridge. 

One of the best ways to minimize your exposure to potentially harmful chemicals in plastic is to use glass food storage containers instead. This applies equally to microwaving food in plastic and pouring hot liquid into it. 

I use this set from Instant Brands, which earned top scores in our tests for storage, seal quality, durability, and ease of use. I love that they come in a variety of shapes and sizes, including 8-ounce containers that are great for keeping butter or small cheese wedges. The plastic lids feature snap-and-lock flaps and a rubber gasket. They’re dishwasher- and microwave-safe (just be sure to remove the lid) and good to go into the freezer as well. 

Leaving plastic behind may be a daunting task, but taking small steps can make a big difference. Start slow, and challenge yourself to make one change a month or even a week. You might just find that it was easier than you could’ve imagined it to be.