End Plastics
6 Tips to Avoid Eating Plastic in Your Own Kitchen
April 3, 2025
Eating a balanced diet can be difficult; all of us try our best to get in the right levels of proteins, veggies, and carbs. But there’s one thing we don’t account for in our diet and which we often have no idea we are eating – plastics.
Yep you heard that right – we are all pretty much eating plastics too. In the form of microplastics, the size of grain of rice, or even smaller, nano-plastics, that are invisible to the naked eye.
Microplastics, nano plastics and the toxic chemicals that leach out of them, like Bisphenols and phthalates, are associated with a plethora of human health issues, from cancers to Alzheimers to heart attacks to infertility and more. So it doesn’t matter how much you portion your food or balance your plate, you won’t be healthy until you limit your exposure to plastics.
Here are 6 simple ways to avoid plastics in the kitchen, so that microplastics don’t become your unwanted and harmful 6th food group.
1. Skip Single-Use Plastic Bottles
Single-use plastic bottles not only contribute to massive environmental pollution but also pose a risk to human health. A recent study found that a single bottle of water can contain 240,000 nano plastics. These tiny particles can enter your body when you drink from plastic bottles, especially single-use ones. Instead, opt for reusable glass or metal bottles.
2. Avoid Plastic Containers in the Microwave
Even if plastic containers are labeled “microwave-safe,” the chemicals in the plastic can leach directly into your food when heated. These chemicals, like BPA, are linked to health problems such as hormonal disruption. It’s worth the few seconds to transfer your food into glass or ceramic containers for microwave use. Or, even better, be mindful of storing food in plastic containers in the first place. Additionally, the plastic chemicals can leach into the food inside especially if it is fatty or oily food, as plastics are fat soluble.
3. Trade Plastic Wrap for Beeswax Wraps
Beeswax wraps are an excellent, eco-friendly alternative to plastic wrap. Made from cotton and beeswax, these wraps are naturally biodegradable and compostable. They cling to food and containers just like plastic wrap, but without leeching the harmful chemicals into your food. Plus, they’re reusable and help preserve food better than plastic, which can trap moisture and cause food to spoil more quickly. While plastic wrap can really only be used once before becoming a tangled mess, beeswax can be washed and used again and again – so it’s also financially conscious!
4. Ditch the Plastic Cutting Board
Cutting on plastic boards isn’t just about slicing through your veggies—it’s also breaking down the board into tiny plastic particles. You know all those lines and dents and scuffed areas on your chopping boards – those are shedding microplastics all the time!
A May 2023 study found that materials like polypropylene and polyethylene, commonly used in plastic boards, can break down into tiny plastic particles when cut with knives. Since microplastics can enter the food chain, it’s wise to avoid plastic cutting boards. Opt for alternatives like bamboo, wood, or glass, which are less likely to shed harmful particles.
5. Non-Stick is a No-No
Non-stick cookware is often coated with chemicals like PTFE, which can release toxic fumes and particles when heated. These chemicals can leach into your food and pose serious health risks over time. Instead, opt for stainless steel, cast iron, or ceramic cookware.
6. Swap that Conventional Sponge for Au-naturel
Most conventional sponges are made from synthetic plastic fibers that don’t biodegrade and end up in landfills. In fact, if every household in the U.S. threw out just two plastic sponges a year, that’s over 250 million sponges in landfills.
Not to mention, plastic sponges shed tiny bits of plastic leaving your plates, pots and pans plastic coated rather than clean. A better option is to switch to plant-based sponges made from bamboo, luffa, or wood pulp.
They work just as well as plastic sponges, and when they’re worn out, you can compost them instead of sending them to the trash!
7. Bring Your Own Reusable Bags
The average American family uses about 1,500 plastic bags every year, for only about 12 minutes before being thrown out, and then take hundreds of years to decompose and often end up harming wildlife. By switching to reusable cloth bags, you can drastically reduce your plastic usage and your food’s exposure to plastic chemicals. Make sure they’re machine washable for easy cleaning. Not to mention it can be a fashion statement.
By making these small changes, you can cut down on plastic in your daily life and reduce the health risks it poses. If you’re passionate about making a bigger impact to reduce plastic pollution and consumption, consider signing EARTHDAY.ORG’s petition for a Global Plastics Treaty to help push for change on a global scale!
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