Reduce your single-use: in the kitchen
These handy tips mean there is no excuse for single-use in your kitchen. You can minimise your plastic use by altering the way you buy and store your food and drink.
1. Ditch the cling film and use beeswax wraps
Cling film may be a quick and easy way to keep your food fresh, but it is also a surefire way to pollute the planet. As a plastic product, it is derived from non-renewable oil resources and it will take centuries to break down in landfill. Beeswax wraps are a planet-friendly way to preserve your food. Made from cotton, pine resin and beeswax, they are biodegradable, reusable, and derived from natural and renewable sources. This not only food for the planet, but good for your household’s health too as cling film can leach nasty chemicals into your food. Simply wrap your food and seal using the heat from your hands. When you need to reuse them all you have to do is wash the wrap in cool water with a little soap, and when you eventually finish with them simply throw them on your compost heap.
2. Use jars
Glass jars regularly pass through many kitchens. They are great, plastic-free containers for conserves, sauces and olives, but are also brilliant for taking to a zero-waste supermarket or for storing leftovers in the absence of foil or cling film. By storing your food in old jars, you are not only giving that jar anther life, but also avoiding single-use plastic pollution.
3. Avoid disposable cutlery and crockery
When hosting a special event, it can be tempting to save yourself from a lengthy washing up session by buying disposable plastic plates, cups or cutlery. But if you want to save the planet, these products are best avoided. Products such as these are used just once before they are thrown away, but their journey does not end when your party does – single-use plastic will ultimately end up as non-biodegradable pollution in the world’s landfills and oceans. Save money and the environment by using the plates, glasses and cutlery that you already have. Let’s face it; no one likes drinking out of a plastic champagne flute anyway.
4. Buy produce with less packaging
If you are lucky enough to live in an area with food markets, then take your own reusable bags and buy unpackaged produce. If a supermarket is your only option, then fear not – in response to mounting consumer pressure, many retailers now offer lose produce that is free from single-use plastic packaging.
5. Buy in bulk
Buying your food and other kitchen cleaning products in bulk is an easy way to reduce your plastic use. The larger the quantity of pasta/rice/washing up liquid you buy, the less frequently it needs to be replaced – therefore minimising plastic bottles or packaging.
