My NoPlastic Kitchen

In my cottage I have a small kitchen with limited space and storage, so I keep only the essentials in there and keep them very organised. A few years ago I became fed up with rummaging in cupboards for plastic containers and trying to match them up with their lids. I found the same problem with microwave bowls and have never really liked the idea of cooking in plastic anyhow.

So I set myself a quest to replace all my plastic storage containers and microwave bowls with more natural materials.



I started by purchasing oven-safe glass cookware, a piece at a time (Op shops are good for this) and now I only ever use these in my microwave oven. I then gradually began replacing all of my storage containers with glass jars.

Since then, my no-plastic idea has spread throughout the kitchen and over time I've replaced nearly everything that was plastic with more natural elements.



I've swapped all my plastic mixing bowls for glass ones and all my serving bowls, plates etc. for glass, ceramic, metal or wood. They are much easier to clean and don’t retain the coloured stains from food the way plastic does. I've even replaced all my plastic or plastic-handled utensils. I love the feel of using metal or wood utensils and I’m proud to display them on the bench in a ceramic utensil jar.

The only exceptions I've made to the no-plastic rule are:

- A couple of space-saver storage baskets

- A rectangular plastic storage container for transporting biscuits or cakes.

- My lunchbox that I take to work.

- Two plastic cups and bowls for the grandchildren to use.



There have been some clear advantages of undertaking this quest. My kitchen looks neater and more in keeping with the rest of my older-style cottage.

I feel as though I’m doing something better for my health and the environment by using more natural elements.

I think twice before I make any purchases and go for fewer but better quality items.

Washing dishes is easier and much more pleasant.

I don’t feel guilty saying no when invited to those expensive plastic kitchenware parties – you know the ones I mean.



How much plastic do you have in your kitchen? How many containers with wayward lids? How many warped or discoloured microwave bowls? If done gradually, the cost of replacing these items with more natural ones is easily absorbed.

Whether replacing our kitchen plastic is healthier or not is up for debate, but I feel much better knowing that I’m using natural elements.



#home
#change
#wellbeing
#choice
#lifestyle
#cooking


%selfavenue