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Swap These 5 Common Plastic Items for Safer Alternatives
Have you ever had the daunting task of finding a safer, non-toxic alternative for an item in your home? I know I have!
That’s why I’m sharing some of my favorite natural kitchen swaps here, so you don’t have to spend hours researching.
These are five plastic items I replaced in my kitchen with non-toxic alternatives—and where you can find them.
1. Swap Plastic Spoons for Wooden or Metal Ones
Plastic stir spoons are easy to replace. Wooden spoons are durable, plastic-free, and add a warm, natural touch to your kitchen. I personally like bamboo sets from Walmart, or you can find great options on Amazon or Etsy.
For dishes like noodles or soups that require more of a spoon shape, I often use metal utensils—they’re sturdy and long-lasting.
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Wooden utensils: Teak wood is known for being strong and durable.
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Metal utensils: To me it’s important to have at least one flat edge spatula
2. Swap Plastic Cutting Boards for Wood, Glass, or Metal
Plastic cutting boards can harbor bacteria and may contain toxins. I replaced mine with wooden boards and glass boards for meat.
When shopping for wooden cutting boards, look for single-slab boards made from one piece of wood, with no glue or glossy coatings. These are safer and last longer.
Glass cutting boards are tougher on knives but are very sanitary and completely plastic-free. I personally use a metal board for cutting meat, but good glass or titanium boards work well too. We usually buy wooden boards from Etsy or HomeGoods.
3. Swap Plastic Brushes for Coconut Bristle Brushes
I was pleasantly surprised at how effective coconut bristle brushes are. They work beautifully for scrubbing without plastic. For tougher jobs, I keep a stainless steel scrubber and a bamboo stick brush on hand.
4. Swap Plastic Sponges for Coconut & Loofah Sponges
My favorite swap is the kitchen sponge made from coconut hull and loofah. These sponges are gentle on hands, effective at cleaning, and completely plastic-free.
I’ve been using them for years and love how fresh and durable they are.
5. Swap Non-Stick Pans for Stainless Steel or Cast Iron
Non-stick pans wear out quickly and can release microplastics into your food. Instead, consider
While cast iron and carbon steel are pricier and take a bit of a learning curve, stainless steel is a perfect starting point and can handle almost anything.
Here’s a helpful video for cooking with stainless steel: Using Stainless Steel Pans | High & Low Heat Cooking
Those are my five simple swaps for a more plastic-free kitchen! I hope you found these tips helpful. Share in the comments: what’s your favorite kitchen swap?
