Seven Products To De-Plastic Your Kitchen
A wee while ago, I filmed a piece for NatGeo TV which looked at why men’s sperm counts have halved in the last forty years. One of the prime suspects is plastic - especially those containing phthalates, which can even be bad for pregnant women carrying baby boys. Studies have shown that baby boys born to women with high levels of phthalates can cause infertility problems later in life.
It seems plastics are ruining the seas - and the ability of humankind to reproduce.
Since then I’ve been trying to strip the needless plastics out of my life - particularly when they can leach into your food. So, starting in the kitchen…
1 - Metal Kettle
Unlike most kettles on the market, in the Ottoni kettles (handmade in Italy) there is no plastic that comes into contact with the hot water - and some of the posher models even have wooden handles.
2 - Beeswax Paper
The bee-fuelled alternative to cling film. It might seem pricey per sheet but the beeswax paper can last for up to a year and can even be topped up if the wax comes off. The splendid Bower Collective stock three different sizes.
3 - Storage Containers
From steel to reusable cotton, there’s plenty of plastic alternatives for storing food. Nothing shouts Williamsburg/East London like a glass mason jar - and now, for added virtue points, there are recycled ones here.
4 - Bamboo Utensils
Bamboo is no longer just the preserve of pandas. More durable than wood, bamboo is heat and stain resistant as well as dishwasher safe. The Plastic Free Shop provides a range of utensils from Bambu - their organic utensil range.
5 - Coconut Scrubbing Brush
Don’t even think about calling yourself a citizen of the 21st century if your dish-scrubbing pad isn’t vegan. Or 100% biodegradable. Or made from coconut fibres. Luckily you can grab one of these - together with some environmentally-friendly dish soap - from ecovibe.
6 - Metal Straws
Plastic straws are so evil even McDonald’s axed them. Rather more benign are stainless steel straws - which can be reused again and again and again. Some even come in their own sleeping bag - with straw cleaners,
7 - Metal Vegetable Steamer - MIA
I searched high and low for an electric food steamer that’s plastic-free… But drew a blank. They all seem to have plastic which comes into contact with food. Are there any out there?
So I now make-do with a stainless steel steamer thing which goes on top of the pan. There are posh ones out there, if that’s your thing.
