The kitchen was the first area I started to research reusable products to replace everyday single-use plastic products. I made a list of five items I was going to commit to replacing, and they were plastic wrap, plastic bags, dishwasher detergent, dish soap, and counter cleaner. I knew switching these five items was going to be a huge adjustment, but I also knew these items would have a wide range of reusable products available to choose from. Boy oh boy was I right. I quickly became overwhelmed and decided first to focus on plastic wrap and plastic bags.
Let's Talk Plastic Wrap!
Commercial plastic wrap was created in 1949 by Dow Chemicals and is one of the most wasteful single-use products you can buy and use. Plastic wrap ends up in landfills where it never disintegrates or incinerators where it releases the toxic chemical, dioxin. It also contributes to the plastic ocean crisis and picks up harmful chemicals and metals that fish are ingesting.
Did you know? Plastic wrap is rarely recycled because it can clog machinery.
These facts alone were enough to make the switch! So, what exactly is an easy cost-effective alternative to plastic wrap? When doing my research, these were typically the same alternatives to plastic wrap I continued to see from others.
Foil (we'll talk about this in another blog)
Glass Food Containers
Beeswax Wraps
Reusable Bowl Covers
Silicone Bowl Covers & Lids
We already owned a set of glass food containers, so I decided to try beeswax wraps and silicone bowl covers.
Beeswax Wraps
Beeswax wraps in my opinion are a great alternative and super simple to use. Beeswax wrap is made by infusing cotton with food-grade beeswax, rosin, coconut oil, and jojoba oil. This produces a mouldable, grip-able, and tacky product that can be shaped around containers and food products with the heat of your hands.
There are many brands of beeswax wraps, but the one I really like is Bee's Wrap. They come in many many sizes and fun patterns!
Beeswax is not just antibacterial but also has antifungal features which prevents the growth of yeast and fungi.
There is some maintenance with beeswax wraps, but when properly cared for they can last about a year. The best part about them is once they are ready to be discarded you can toss them directly in your compost bin! Don't have a compost bin? I bet one of your friends does or you can easily start one for your home!
Silicone Bowl Covers & Lids
The other item we purchased was a set of silicone bowl covers and lids. What I liked about this product is they are dishwasher, microwave, and freezer safe! The set I purchased came in a wide variety of sizes and easily stretch tightly over bowls and food items. When the correct size is used the silicone lids create a tight seal on top of the container.
Food-grade silicone is a non-toxic polymer mostly made from silica (sand).
I only purchased a set of circle lids, but they can also be purchased in a set of rectangle sizes. If you are on a budget the silicone covers and lids would be my recommendation, because unlike beeswax wraps these do not have a shelf life.
Plastic Bags!
For this section specifically, we are going to discuss plastic bags used in the kitchen that range in size from snack size to gallon. In another post, I will talk about the dreaded plastic shopping bag.
1973 – Plastic bags of all shapes and sizes become industrialized.
I remember an Instagram story I did a few years back where I was so impressed with a snack drawer I had created for the kids one summer. Looking back, not only was I wasting money to make my life easier with the kids, but I was also creating so much unneeded plastic waste. Live and learn for sure, but I wish I would have known what I do now.
Just like for plastic wrap there are some great alternatives for plastic bags. A few great options are:
Reusable Silicone Bags
Reusable PEVA Ziplock Bags
Stainless Steele Boxes
Glass Containers
Fabric Snack Bags
Paper Sandwich Bags
Plant-Based Sandwich Wraps
The Items we have tried so far are the reusable silicone bags and reusable PEVA ziplock bags. We already owned glass storage containers of multiple sizes and a nice set of reusable plastic storage containers, so the item we truly needed to replace was the bags.
Reusable Silicone Bags
Just like the silicone covers and lids, silicone bags are dishwasher, microwavable, and freezer safe. They come in a wide range of sizes and colors, and will soon become one of your favorite kitchen items.
We've had the same design since we made the switch, but I am not 100% in love with the design and product. They will do for now, but I do have a few different options from Stacher in my Amazon save for later.
Reusable PEVA Ziplock Bags
When I purchased the PEVA ziplock bags I did not fully do my research. Although still a better option than single-use plastic bags, it is still a form of plastic.
PEVA can be fully recycled, but is widely debated if it is biodegradeable
The product I purchased is easy for the kids to use, but they do stain easily and are not microwaveable safe. I personally would not recommend them and would stick with the silicone bag option.
Do you have a favorite alternative to plastic wrap and plastic bags? Please share in the comments below to help a fellow reader discover more amazing reusable products!
Stay tuned for part two of The Kitchen: Replacing Single-Use Plastic Products, and I will discuss the products we now use for dish soap, dishwasher detergent, and counter cleaner!
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