Swap These Plastic Kitchen Items For Safer, Smarter Alternatives - Tasting Table

"If you throw away a plastic item today, it'll very likely still be around for decades to come. In fact, some research suggests that certain plastic items could take up to 500 years to decompose. To put that in context, that means that if, say, Henry VIII threw away a plastic coffee pod in Tudor England, it would only just be finished degrading now. He didn't, of course; plastic wasn't used regularly until the 20th century. But you get the point."

"Luckily, for those trying to purge their kitchens of plastic, there are many safer, more sustainable alternatives to choose from. Plastic sponges can be replaced by fruits (yes, really), beeswax can take over from Saran Wrap, and ceramic kettles can do the job of any plastic kettle just as well (if not better). Keep reading to find out more about how to swap plastic kitchen items for safer, smarter alternatives."

"Before the plastic sponge that most of us use every day to clean our kitchens was invented, most people used natural sponges to clean their environment. Specifically, they used the skeletons of very small, porous sea creatures, known as porifera. This was not just for cleaning, but for bathing, too. But like most natural resources, these ocean creatures couldn't keep up with humanity's needs."

Kitchens contain abundant plastic that introduces toxins and microplastics and creates long-lasting environmental pollution. Some plastic items can take up to 500 years to decompose. Plastic sponges replaced natural and marine sponges after overfishing made natural options scarce; plastic sponges are widespread and non-biodegradable. Safer alternatives include cellulose or loofah sponges, using fruits as cleaning tools, beeswax wraps instead of plastic wrap, and ceramic kettles instead of plastic kettles. Replacing plastic kitchen items reduces toxin exposure, lowers microplastic release, and decreases long-term environmental harm. Choosing durable, biodegradable, or reusable materials improves health and sustainability in everyday kitchen use.

Read at Tasting Table