6 Tips For A Plastic Free Kitchen
In this article I share 6 tips for a plastic-free kitchen. These tips help you to live more sustainably by using less plastic. These tips will make cooking extra fun, and you will pay more attention to the little things!
Why is (plastic) waste bad?
More than 8 million tonnes of plastic are dumped into our oceans every year. As a result, many animal species are threatened.
Turtles get caught in plastic bags (resulting in their death), whales are found with huge amounts of plastic in their bellies, while seabirds pick up the plastic pieces to take them to their chicks.
More than 90% of all seabirds have plastic pieces in their bellies. They confuse plastic with food.
Can we change it?
Hell yes! It can be different! And more fun! There are so many ways to live with less waste. Sustainable living is so obvious. You just have to change your mind. Many people often find that more difficult than changing habits.
That is why here are 6 tips for a plastic-free kitchen. Read with an open mind. Know that these changes are important for nature, and therefore for ourselves. We depend on nature. It is therefore our responsibility to take good care of it. For our nature, for our home.
1 . Save your jars!
This tip will save you a lot of waste, and will give your kitchen a nice look! In addition, it provides an overview and everything is organized.
All glass jars that you would actually throw away after they are empty can be stored as well! Remove the label and clean it thoroughly. You can use these jars as glasses, to store food, to grow plants or to put in breakfast or lunch for on the go.
Je kan ze ook meenemen wanneer je boodschappen gaat doen! In de potjes kan je producten of losse etenswaren bewaren. Op deze manier hoef je geen plastic zakjes te verspillen. Er zijn meerdere winkels in Nederland waar je etenswaren verpakkingsvrij kan vinden. Klik hier als je wilt weten welke!
2. Dish Wash Soap
I like to use soap bars for in the bathroom, because they are easy to get naturally and because it requires minimal packaging. Now it appears that there are also soap bars that you can clean and wash with.
When I found out, I was completely happy! This is a super alternative. It is plastic free, cruelty free, palm oil free, sustainable and also vegan! Woah .. In addition, it is also handmade. Use this to wash or clean. You can order them online at helemaalshea.nl.
For an extra large version (640gr) you can check out No Tox Life ($27.98)! Mak sure you read FAQ about shipping. That way you won’t be confronted with surprises!
No Tox Life can also be found at the webshop of Plastic Free Amsterdam (215gr) for €12,95. Besides that they also have a soap bar from Planet Detox for €6,50 (125gr).
If you prefer not to order online, you can also choose Marseille soap. This can be found at Dille & Kamille.
You can also opt for organic dishwashing detergent, for a natural alternative. You can find this at an organic supermarket, or even at a regular supermarket. The disadvantage of this is that it is packed in plastic. I therefore advise you to opt for bulk packaging, so that you do not have to buy too many loose packages.
SMIR (a zero waste store in Amersfoort) sells detergent in bulk, and you can even bring your own packaging!
3. Brushes and Sponges
Dishwashing brushes and sponges are usually made of plastic. You can easily get them from a natural material! They look nice too. Wooden dishwashing brushes can be found at Albert Hein for € 0.69 and at Dille & Kamille where they also sell sponges.
4. Cleaning Wipes
Instead of disposable wipes you can of course choose reusable wipes! Use them until they are dirty, and throw them in the washing machine so that you can use them again. You can easily find this in the supermarket or at a household store. You can also make them yourself by cutting old clothes into squares!
5. Food Waste? Hell no…
⅓ of all the food that is made is wasted. Eating has a lot of hidden impact. This impact is therefore also wasted. Unwise sin! This can be done differently. Discard as little food as possible. Be frugal. Try to preserve food leftovers as well as possible, and eat them the next day or take it to school or work.
Consider how much time it took for a leaf of lettuce to grow into a leaf of lettuce. Consider that it is so special that we have access to food and that we must deal with it gratefully, meaning, as little waste as possible.
6. Separate Trash
I hardly dare mention it, since I assume that this is already done by the majority of you. Separating waste is extremely important! In this way, waste can be recycled and new products made from it. In addition, you prevent unnecessary waste being brought to a dump or dump, which in turn causes pollution.
Keep on going guys 🙂
I hope these tips for a plastic-free kitchen have helped you! Let me know which tips you found most helpful and which you would possibly add! I am also happy to help you answer questions!
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Good vibes,
Emma
