A personal round-up of the plastic free kitchen swaps I use daily, covering storage, baking, cleaning, and long-lasting essentials.
Plastic Free July is a brilliant time to reflect and look at how we use plastic in our day to day lives, especially in the kitchen. Whether you’re intrigued, just starting out or already deep into your low-waste journey, the kitchen is often where the most visible changes can happen.
Over the years, I’m gradually swapping out single-use plastics and replaced them with items that last. They need to be easy to use, and fit in with real, everyday life. This guide rounds up my personal plastic-free kitchen favourites: tools, storage solutions, and little swaps that have made a big difference in my home.
Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to buy something. These are all products I use myself and therefore are happy to recommend.
Smart Storage Solutions
One of the easiest and most impactful ways to cut plastic in the kitchen is by upgrading your storage. Over the years, I’ve learnt that having reliable, versatile containers can actually make meal prep and food storage easier.
For example, I rely heavily on silicone food bags for everything. From freezing leftovers and batching bakes to packing snacks for day outs or lunches. They’re flexible, easy to clean, and far sturdier than disposable plastic bags. As they come in a range of sizes, you really use them for any job in the kitchen.
Stainless steel lunch boxes are one of my favourite multi-use swaps. Not only do I use them for lunches or packing up leftovers, but I also bring them with me when I visit the butcher or deli. It’s such a simple way to avoid plastic packaging for meat products. And most places are happy to pop your order straight into your container. They’re easy to clean, come in various sizes, stack well, and last for years. I have a few different brands for my metal lunch boxes. My favourites are Elephant Box, Moonmoon and Slice of Green.
When it comes to pantry staples, nothing beats clip-top glass jars, like Kilner jars. These airtight jars keep dried goods fresh and look great lined up on a shelf. I have large ones that I use for all my baking staples in my larder unit. This helps to keep it neat, and coordinated. You can have a mix of sizes too, to best fit the requirements of food you are popping in them. I also love jars with bamboo lids for a touch of natural elegance on open shelving or countertop storage.
And for packing up meals or snacks on the go, the Stojo collapsible boxes and bowls have been a game changer. They fold flat when not in use. This saves precious space in the cupboard, but expand to a full-size container when you need them. They are ideal for meal prepping or lunches. The They come in various colours so you can find one that matches your style.
Plastic-Free Food Prep & Baking Essentials
Baking and prepping food from scratch can easily add up to a mountain of plastic waste if you’re not careful. This would therefore defeat the objective of baking from scratch. Knowing where to start with sustainable alternatives can feel overwhelming. However, they are some simple swaps that can a big difference.
For baking, I swear by silicone baking mats. They fit right onto trays thereby replacing baking paper altogether. When I do need paper, I always reach for compostable baking cases and unbleached parchment paper. These break down naturally and reduce landfill waste. You can easily add them to a home compost.
One of the most versatile items in my kitchen is beeswax wraps. They’ve replaced cling film for me completely. Whether you need to wrap up part used fruits or veg, cover a bowl, or keep bread fresh for a few days, the different sizes allow for the uses to be so flexible. They’re washable, reusable, and they naturally breathe, which helps food stay fresh longer. You can get kits so you can make your own, or refresh your current ones. When they do come to the end of their life, they can be composted to. Simply cut them up into smaller pieces before adding into your compost bin.
Interested in another alternative to clingfilm? Try out silicone stretch lids. You can find them in sets of different sizes which increases their versatility. They can be used to cover bowls or individual portions of cut fruits (such as halves of lemons / oranges. I find that the large ones can be a great choice for covering bowls when proving dough. My biggest one perfectly fits on my Kitchenaid bowls. They easily wash up to then be put back into use.
Timeless Tools: Wooden Utensils and Their Care
Switching to plastic-free doesn’t mean sacrificing function or style. Wooden utensils, spoons, spatulas, salad tongs are not only beautiful but incredibly durable when cared for properly. I use a set of wooden spoons daily for stirring and serving. They can also be one of the relative low cost plastic free kitchen swaps to make.
A little care goes a long way. When your utensils need it, you can easily refresh them with food grade beeswax. This nourishes the wood, helps prevent cracking, and keeps the tools looking and feeling great for years. Wooden utensils are truly kitchen workhorses and a joy to use.
Sustainable Cleaning & Cloths
Cleaning is an overlooked but vital part of the plastic-free kitchen journey. Single-use sponges and plastic scrubbers might be convenient but they’re a big source of waste. Not over do they end up in landfill, but they also release microplastics into the water when you use them.
Let’s look at this in 2 parts, washing up and then cleaning the kitchen.
Washing Up Sustainably
For washing up I like crochet dish cloths. For tougher scrubbing jobs, natural alternatives like loofah sponges or coconut fibre scrubbers work brilliantly and compost easily at the end of their life. I also enjoy bamboo pot brushes as they are comfortable to hold. For washing up my reusable water bottles, I also have a wooden handle bottle brush which is great for reaching the bottom.
For washing up detergent there are 2 options. You can use solid washing up bars. Or if you prefer liquid, you can refill washing up liquid at refill shops. Get a great glass or aluminium bottle and it will last you ages utilising refills.
Cleaning your Kitchen in a Green Fashion
Switching out disposable wipes and plastic-heavy cleaning bottles is another simple but impactful way to reduce waste in the kitchen. Over time, I’ve built up a small collection of reusable cleaning cloths, sponge alternatives and a few trusted refillable products that I now reach for daily.
I use reusable cloths / unpaper towels in place of kitchen roll or synthetic sponges. They’re brilliant for wiping down surfaces, drying dishes, or even doubling as napkins if I need. Most of mine go straight into the wash and come out ready to use again. For tougher scrubbing, I’ve swapped to natural coconut fibre or loofah-based scrubbers, which break down at the end of their life rather than shedding microplastics down the drain.
When it comes to cleaning solutions, I’ve tried to move away from harsh chemicals and plastic bottles. I regularly use eco-conscious brands like OceanSaver and Delphis Eco that offer refillable or concentrated solutions in plastic-free or reduced-waste packaging. They work just as well as traditional sprays, and I feel better knowing what I’m rinsing down the sink.
I’ve also started experimenting with making my own simple cleaning sprays, using ingredients like vinegar, lemon, and essential oils. It’s still a bit of a work in progress, but it’s an area I’m hoping to explore more. Especially for everyday wipe-downs and glass cleaning.
Low-Waste Mealtimes & Extras
Small touches like fabric napkins can elevate your kitchen’s sustainability and style at once. While I’ve covered napkin folding in another post, switching to fabric napkins is one of my favourite plastic free kitchen swaps for everyday meals and entertaining. They’re washable, reusable, and add a lovely tactile element to your table.
Bigger Investment Pieces That Last a Lifetime
While many plastic-free kitchen swaps focus on smaller, everyday items, investing in a few high-quality kitchen tools can make a huge difference. Not just for your plastic footprint, but also for your cooking experience.
For example, I absolutely love my KitchenAid mixer. I’ve had mine for over 10 years, and it’s still going strong. Whether I’m baking bread with the dough hook or whipping up cakes, it saves time and reduces waste by making home baking easier and more enjoyable. It’s definitely a pricier piece, but its durability and versatility make it worth every penny.
If you’re considering making an investment like this but want to be more budget-friendly, looking for refurbished or second-hand options can be a smart move. In the UK, there are reputable sellers offering refurbished KitchenAid mixers with warranties, giving you peace of mind while avoiding new production waste. This approach aligns well with sustainable values, making high-quality equipment accessible without the environmental cost of buying brand new.
Other larger pieces to consider include cast iron skillets, stainless steel cookware sets, or high-quality knives. These items can last for years, even decades, when cared for properly. These investment pieces become trusted staples in a plastic-free kitchen.
Where I Shop Plastic-Free (and Where You Can Too)
A big area that brings plastic into the kitchen, is food packaging. Reducing this can make a huge difference towards having a plastic free kitchen. Finding the right places to shop can make all this easier and enjoyable. I’m lucky to have some fantastic zero waste and bulk stores locally in Norfolk and Suffolk, where I bring my own jars and bags. There are also several great online shops that carefully package items with minimal waste. You can learn more about of my favourites here, or check out my A-Z guide of zero waste baking ingredients, where I list off even more refill shops.
Markets, farm shops, and refill stations are gold mines for plastic-free shopping. So, if you have access to these, they’re worth exploring. If you have a local refill shop, definitely go and support them. They are generally small businesses, so if we are not utilising them, they may not always be there to shop with.
Low Waste Living in Real Life
Plastic-free living is a journey, not a sprint. Start with a few plastic free kitchen swaps that feel manageable, and build from there. The products and tips I’ve shared are all ones I’ve used in my kitchen, and I hope they inspire you to create a plastic-free space that’s practical, beautiful, and that works for you.
If you try any of these favourites, I’d love to hear what you think or see your own swaps in action. Tag me on Instagram or drop a comment below!
Some of the links within this post may be affiliate links, meaning if you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. These commissions help support the work I do here at Plastic Free Baking Pantry, allowing me to continue sharing delicious recipes and sustainable living tips with you. Rest assured, I only recommend products and services that I personally use and love. Thank you for your support!
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