At one time, plastic seemed like a miracle material that would transform our lives. Lightweight, almost unbreakable, and easily recycled, this petroleum product became a ubiquitous presence in every part of the home. However, recent studies have demonstrated that plastic presents a variety of dangers to our health. Bisphenol A (BPA) has been known as an endocrine disruptor for a couple of decades, with the resultant phasing-out of BPAs in most consumer products.
Unfortunately, there’s another new concern that has arisen in the past few years: microplastics. Basically, anything in your kitchen that is made of plastic, whether it’s storage containers and bags, cooking utensils and pots and pans, or even a simple teabag, is likely releasing millions of tiny particles of plastic into your food, and from there into your body!
What Are Microplastics, and Why are They a Health Risk?
It’s really all in the name: microplastics are minuscule pieces of plastic that are released into the environment and our food, ending up in our bodies where they stay. And while they may be small, they are accumulating at a massive rate across the world and inside ourselves. They have been found in the ice and snow atop Mount Everest, mostly shed from the clothing and equipment used by mountaineers. The deepest part of the ocean, the Marianas Trench, is also heavily contaminated with microplastics.
Everywhere in between has also been inundated with microplastics, including the air we breathe and the farmland that produces our food. The impact of these microplastics on our health is still being studied, but it’s already been found that people with microplastics in arterial plaque had a higher risk of stroke, heart attacks, or death from any cause.
It's impossible to avoid all microplastics, but there are many ways to reduce the exposure of you and your family to these dangerous substances. Let’s look at how to make your kitchen a healthier place for everyone!
Food
Because microplastics have become ubiquitous in the global environment, it’s impossible to eliminate them entirely from our food sources. Even the most diligent organic gardener or farmer will have microplastics in the soil and water as they tend their crops. Once those foods are in your kitchen, there’s no easy way to remove them, but there are a few ways you can reduce how many microplastics you ingest.
Some microplastics can be removed by rinsing, although that’s not possible with all foods. However, rinsing rice, meat, and fish can reduce the amount of microplastics before cooking.
Start with whole, unprocessed foods whenever possible. Every step in processing increases the exposure to plastic contamination, so ultra-processed foods such as junk food, breakfast cereals, and frozen meals are much more likely to have a heavy load of microplastics. By eliminating these convenience foods from your grocery cart, you will save money and consume fewer fats and sugars, as well as reducing the amount of microplastics in your food.
Fast food is a serious offender when it comes to microplastic contamination. Between the packaging that the food is served in, the processing equipment, and the actual ingredients, there’s probably a lot more microplastics in the average fast food meal than in something you’ve prepared at home. That’s something to bear in mind when you’re tempted to pick up the phone and order in!
Liquids
As stated above, the deepest ocean trenches are contaminated with microplastics, and so are our domestic water supplies. There are, however, some ways that you can reduce the amount of microplastics that you drink.
Water
At a bare minimum, stop buying water in plastic bottles. Even the unscrewing of the cap on a plastic water bottle can significantly increase the release of microplastics into the water within. And while there are also microplastics in tap water, using a simple carbon filter pitcher can remove up to 90% of the particles before you drink it. That’s an inexpensive and easy switch.
Tea
However, if you use that filtered water to make a cup of tea, you may end up drinking billions of particles in a single cup! Many teabags contain plastic, which is easily released into the hot water while your tea steeps. Either buy loose tea, or check the packaging to make sure that your teabags are free of plastic.
Storage
Plastic storage containers are ubiquitous in most modern kitchens. And for those of us who have diligently washed and reused plastic storage bags and containers to reduce waste, we may have been harming our health and the environment! As plastics get more worn with repeated use, they release more and more microplastics, not only into the food that’s stored in them, but also into the water that goes down the drain and back into the water supply.
Instead, you can invest in some non-plastic alternatives to store food.
For short-term storage in the fridge, switch to tempered glass containers with silicone lids. They’re great for leftovers, and can be safely reheated in the microwave or put in the dishwasher without worrying about microplastics being released.
Glass containers are also a great option for pantry storage. You can buy them in varying sizes to decant ingredients like flour, sugar, and rice into. If you have any trouble with pests like pantry moths or mice, you’ll even want to put cereals and crackers in glass containers! To save money, you can reuse glass jars that you got prepared foods in. Another option is buying canning jars to use as a coordinated set in your pantry. They come in all sizes from a half-cup to a half-gallon.
Plastic bags can also be eliminated from your kitchen with some thoughtful switches. Silicone bags are a safe alternative to the ubiquitous zip-lock bag, and can be reused for years. They’re excellent for freezer storage. You can also replace plastic wrap with silicone sheets. There are also brands of zip-lock bags made from organic materials, such as corn, that can be used several times before being safely composted.
With beeswax food bags, you can even reuse those plastic bags without adding them to the waste stream, while at the same time protecting yourself from microplastics! Simply put your food in the beeswax bag, and then pop that into a plastic freezer bag. That way, your food isn’t exposed to the plastic, but the plastic will keep things longer in the freezer.
Silicone freezer trays are another way to freeze foods without using plastic. You can fill these trays with sections ranging from 2 tablespoons to 2 cups, and place them in the freezer. Because they have lids, you can either store the food long-term in the trays or pop them out once frozen and transfer them to bags.
Preparation and Clean-Up
If you open your drawers and cupboards, you’ll probably find a fair number of plastic items that you use daily in your kitchen. There’s usually a non-plastic alternative that you could use instead!
Kitchen Accessories
If you’re still using a plastic cutting board, it’s time to get rid of it. It’s probably covered with tiny scratches and nicks from the years of chopping with sharp knives, and of course some of the plastic particles that got released will have ended up in your food. Plastic boards are also notorious for harboring bacteria. You’re much better off with a wood, glass, or even paper composite surface.
Do you use plastic colanders? Don’t forget that microplastics can be released by heat, so just imagine the consequences of dumping a pot of boiling water and potatoes or pasta into the plastic colander in your sink! Instead, metal sieves are inexpensive and durable. Salad spinners are another source of microplastics in the kitchen. The same spinning process that removes water from freshly-washed greens can also throw off lots of microplastics. While a few stainless steel and glass salad spinners are available, you can also dry your salad ingredients using a towel or pillowcase.
Utensils
Plastic utensils are unnecessary when there are so many better alternatives out there. For instance, a plastic soup ladle is going to inevitably shed microplastics when plunged into a pot of hot soup, but a stainless steel soup ladle will not add any undesirable substances to your food, is easily cleaned, and will last a lifetime and still look like new. When looking for the ideal paddle or spatulas for stovetop cooking, stay away from plastic and instead use stainless steel, silicone, wood, bamboo, or compressed paper utensils.
Appliances
Probably the most popular countertop appliance right now is the air fryer, with models available from many manufacturers, and at price-points ranging from economy to deluxe. Shop carefully before buying one, however! Many air fryers have non-stick coatings that may release not only “forever chemicals” (PFAS), but also microplastics. Look for a model that is either glass or stainless steel to prevent contamination.
Coffee makers are another big source of microplastics in the kitchen. Hot water in contact with plastic components is a guarantee of microplastics being released into your morning cup! And the trendy single-serve coffee makers are some of the worst offenders out there, especially if you’re using disposable plastic pods. You can find automatic coffee makers that are plastic-free, but they do tend to be pricey. A more affordable way to switch to plastic-free coffee brewing is with a glass or stainless steel pour-over coffee set.
Cookware and Bakeware
By now, most of us are aware that nonstick cookware is a potential source of PFAS, but did you know that it can also release microplastics into your food as you cook? A study has found that using a pan with a scratched non-stick coating could release thousands to millions of microplastics every time you use it.
However, there’s a safe, plastic-free alternative: stainless steel pots and pans. With a surface of surgical-grade stainless steel, there’s no risk of microplastics being released from the cooking surface into your food. Transitioning your cookware collection to 360 Cookware’s high-quality 3-ply stainless steel pots and pans will ensure a lifetime of healthy meals for you and your family!
As the new year begins, it’s a great time to look around your kitchen and find ways to create healthier meals. Reducing or eliminating plastic in your food storage and preparation is a way that you can take control of your own well-being and help the environment as well!
