Microplastics and plastic chemicals are constantly in the news and for good reason: There’s growing evidence that plastics, plastic particles, and plastic chemicals can harm our bodies. If you’re looking to make simple swaps to reduce plastics to better protect your health, eliminating plastic in your kitchen is a great place to start.
Plastics are commonly used in kitchens, from plastic cutting boards, foodware, single-use coffee pods, sponges, storage containers, Teflon-coated cookware, utensils, and more. And these plastic items shed microplastics and contain thousands of chemicals that can leach into food and drinks, air and water, and our bodies.
Our kitchens should be a space for cooking, creativity, and connection, not a source of toxic exposure. The good news is that countless nontoxic and plastic-free options for cooking, cleaning, and storing food are accessible, affordable, and often DIY. Read on to find practical steps to help you kick plastic out of your kitchen and discover safer, plastic-free alternatives that are better for you, your family, and the planet.
Brew Plastic-Free Coffee & Tea
Brew your morning cup with fewer microplastics. “Convenient” hot beverages served in single-use takeout cups or brewed in single-serve plastic coffee pods can contain thousands to millions of plastic particles. Instead, opt for reusable stainless steel pods or plastic-free brewing options like ceramic, glass, or stainless steel French presses and pour-over systems.
And while many tea bags look like paper, most are made of plastic. Scientists have found that a single tea bag can release billions of microplastics into one cup of tea. Instead of tea bags, choose loose-leaf tea and steep it with ceramic or stainless steel strainers; use glass, ceramic, or stainless steel kettles or teapots; and try reusable organic linen tea bags.If on the go, bring your plastic-free reusable cup or thermos to avoid the microplastics released in single-use paper cups lined with plastic. Learn more about cutting plastic out of your morning brew here.
Choose Safer Drinking Water
Serve and store drinking water in ceramic, glass, or stainless steel vessels instead of plastic.
Bottled water is a plastic problem. Plastic bottled water isn’t just far more expensive than tap water, it also leaches toxic chemicals such as antimony, lead, and BPA, along with microplastics, into the water you drink—especially when exposed to heat and sunlight. And despite common myths about its purity, roughly two-thirds of bottled water in the U.S. is simply repackaged tap water that is less federally regulated than tap water.
If you’re concerned about potential contaminants in your tap water, like lead or PFAS, start by checking the EWG Tap Water Database and contacting your local water authority for up-to-date information. Using a water filter that’s certified to remove the contaminants found in your area is a much safer and more affordable option than relying on plastic bottled water. Read more about using certified water filters to ensure safe drinking water here.
Clean With Less Plastic
Cleaning is another area where plastic hides in plain sight: from plastic sponges and dish brushes to PVA dishwasher pods and plastic spray bottles.
When you scrub with a synthetic sponge, it sheds microplastics that stick to your dishware and wash down the drain along with your wastewater. Luckily, there are plenty of plastic-free alternatives, many of them DIY, affordable, or widely available to purchase. Opt for plant-based sponges and dishcloths like Blueland’s pop-up sponge or the Zero Waste Store’s cellulose sponges or bamboo dish brush. Blueland and Meliora Cleaning Products offer a variety of plastic-free cleaning options from dishwasher tablets to refillable cleaning spray tablets that can be easily popped into glass bottles.
Read more on how to clean plastic-free with better brands and DIY cleaning solutions here.
Don’t Microwave or Heat Plastics
Don’t microwave or heat plastic. Heating food or drinks in plastic accelerates leaching of harmful chemicals, including BPA and phthalates. And plastic containers and packaging (even if labeled microwave-safe) can shed millions to billions of microplastics and nanoplastics when heated. Avoid storing hot food directly in plastic containers or plastic wrap.
For infants and younger children, avoid heating breast milk or formula in plastic. Research suggests that babies fed formula in plastic bottles are exposed to high levels of microplastics. Heat (and ideally, store and serve) formula or milk in glass or stainless steel if possible.
Opt for Non-toxic Cookware
Nonstick cookware made with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)—best known under the brand name Teflon—can release microplastics, hazardous fumes, and toxic chemicals, especially when heated, scratched, or worn down. PTFE is a type of PFAS, a class of manufactured “forever chemicals” linked to serious health risks. Scientists estimate that Teflon-coated pans can shed thousands to millions of microplastics during regular use.
PFAS chemicals build up in the human body, including in the brain, and have been associated with decreased fertility, low birth weight, immune system impacts, and increased cancer risks. While five U.S. states have already banned PFAS in cookware, you can reduce your exposure immediately by choosing safer alternatives such as carbon steel, ceramic, glass, stainless steel, or cast iron. With proper care, some plastic-free cookware can last decades to a lifetime, unlike PFAS-coated pans, which often end up in the trash after only a few years once their nonstick coating degrades.
Refill, Reuse, Repeat
Embrace plastic-free principles today. There are many simple ways to cut down on everyday plastic use. Bring reusable tote bags to the store; choose reusable cloth produce bags instead of single-use plastic ones; skip plastic straws and cutlery when you don’t need them (or carry your own reusable set); and opt for reusable ceramic, glass, or stainless steel bottles when on the go.
You may have seen unnecessary plastic covering produce, from tomatoes to bananas. Buying in bulk, favoring products in glass or paper, and choosing products with minimal plastic packaging are all ways to help. And if you have one nearby, local refill and reuse stores make it even easier to stock up without the unnecessary packaging pollution.
Swap in Plastic-Free Utensils
Photos by Ann Luskey as she swapped out her plastic kitchen utensils for non-toxic ones
Chopping foods on a plastic cutting board and sautéing them with a plastic spatula may feel harmless, but both are significant sources of microplastic and chemical exposure in our diets. Every cut, scrape, and stir can shed tiny plastic particles or release harmful chemicals that end up in your food. Experts have also flagged black plastic kitchen tools as particularly concerning for our health, as they may contain higher levels of unregulated toxic chemicals, including flame retardants and heavy metals.
Replace plastic spatulas, stirring spoons, and other utensils with those made of safer materials, such as wood, bamboo, and stainless steel. And silicone is not necessarily the best alternative to plastic. Despite its “safer” reputation, silicone can still leach chemicals and shed microplastics, and contribute to plastic pollution. So try to avoid or limit your use of it and other plastics in your kitchen.
Store Your Food In Bamboo, Glass, or Metal
Plastic food storage bags, containers, and wraps can leach both plastic particles and chemicals into your food, especially when heated, but also during storage and serving.
Stock your kitchen with glass or stainless steel containers as well as beeswax wraps to store leftovers, prepped meals, and produce. One easy and inexpensive way to begin your swap is by washing and saving glass jars from pasta sauces, pickles, or other jarred foods. They make great ready-to-use storage containers. Or invest over time in stackable glass food storage containers. Glass is infinitely recyclable when it is no longer reusable. Other storage materials include bamboo, ceramic, cloth, stainless steel, and paper.
Choose lead-free ceramic or glass plates, stainless steel tiffins, or other plastic-free containers for serving food. For children, Plastic Pollution Coalition Business Member Ahimsa offers stainless steel toddler and child plates, food containers, utensils, and sets for plastic-free mealtimes.
Take Action
Go beyond the kitchen and take steps to eliminate plastic pollution in your home, school, restaurant, workplace, or on-the-go; and during pregnancy and parenting. Check out Plastic Pollution Coalition’s Guides page for tips on how to navigate your world with less plastic.
