Plastics in Your Home -
Use Eco-Friendly Alternatives

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Petroleum is used to make plastics. In fact, an estimated 16% of the 20,730,000 barrels of oil used by the U.S. each day goes to making plastic and other materials. That fact alone is scary as we store so much of our food and drinks in plastic. Plastics can leach many extremely harmful toxins such as BPA (bisphenol A) which is getting a lot of press at the moment, particularly in relation to babies bottles and tinned formula.

If you are keen to save some money this year, help our planet out, reduce toxins and chemicals from your personal living space, and go a little greener, then a great place to start is with your kitchen bench and cupboards. The following six suggestions focus on switching a plastic product to a greener, more eco-friendly option:

1. Use a wooden or bamboo chopping board: My preferred option is a bamboo chopping board. The beauty of bamboo is that is grows rapidly as opposed to trees which take years to grow. Bamboo is an ecologically attractive alternative. It absorbs very little moisture and will not shrink or swell. Surprisingly, it is also harder that most woods, making it a superior material for use in cutting. The best part is one side can be used for cutting and the other for serving.

2. Switch from a plastic kettle to stainless steel: I’ve opted for a stainless steel kettle which may not be as pretty looking as the colourful and cheaper plastic kettles but its a health choice I am very happy with.

3. Use glass baby bottles: This is particularly important one for mothers with young children or anyone about to have children. Plastic baby bottles have been the popular choice of mothers for many years. Recent research shows (read Tiffany’s article at Nature Mom) there is enough evidence to suggest that going back to glass bottles is the safer and healthier alternate. Environmental working groups also have many case studies providing further research regarding baby bottles and the containers baby formula is packed in.

4. Switch your plastic storage containers to glass: This takes a little while to switch all of your plastic storage containers over to ceramic, glass or stainless steel but its definitely worthwhile. Glass is obviously a wiser choice for the planet as it can easily be recycled and does not take hundreds of years to break down like plastic.

5. Save money and the planet by cleaning with natural products:

• All purpose cleaner: One part vinegar (a natural deodorizer) to one part water into a spray bottle. Use to wipe clean benches and surfaces. Eucalyptus essential oil, tea tree oil or lavender can be added. Tea tree oil is well known for its antibacterial properties and ability to kill bacteria along with eucalyptus
• Stubborn stains: 3 parts baking soda to one part water to make paste. Spread paste onto stain and leave for one to two hours.
• Use eco-friendly cotton cleaning cloths and dry in sun to disinfect.
• Use lemon juice dissolve soap scum and hard water

6. Swap your cooking utensils over to bamboo or stainless steel: The beauty of natural bamboo cooking utensils is that there are no artificial colors or coatings which can leach into your foods. Your rolling pin, BBQ utensils, mixing bowls and kitchen cooking utensils can all be swapped over to the natural, eco-friendly, very durable bamboo versions. You can easily buy your bamboo products at an Asian store or on-line.