Plastic in the Galley ( Kitchen)
Alternative reusable items I normally use in the Galley ( Kitchen).
I am far away from being perfect, I still use plastic. This is a slower transition where you get used with what’s new coming on the market to replace the plastic.
Glass Jars
I’m a bit of a Glass Jar Junkie… Any glass jars leftover from coffee, mustard or honey are soaked, scrubbed and rinsed. A bit difficult to get rid of some labels but well worth it in my opinion. These jars are fantastic for storing bulk grains, seeds, herbs or nuts. So please do reconsider before recycling these jars… Recycling is great, but optimizing their potential use first is even better!
Glass ‘Tupperware’ Alternatives
There’s no doubt that a good supply of food storage containers, preferably in a wide range of shapes and sizes, is super handy! And I have them as well. But slowly I have been replacing. Instead of plastic options that traditionally contain BPA, leach pthalates and contribute to non-biodegradable landfill, glass containers with lockable lids such as the glasslock range offer the same convenience - at no cost to your health, or the Planet!
BPA is a synthetic compound found in many plastics, as well as in the lining of canned food containers.
Biodegradable Bin Bags
Of course, the first step is to reduce waste as much as you can in the kitchen. And truthfully, your waste will be more than halve once you start composting at home! However, there always seem to be a few odds and ends that need to be thrown. If you’re not comfortable throwing waste directly into your bin and washing it out regularly, I’d recommend using biodegradable bin bags to cut down your plastic footprint.
Beeswax Wraps
Honestly, once you’ve had the pleasure of using these beautiful bee wraps, you’ll never want to work with cling wrap again! These gorgeous cloths have been soaked in a special beeswax mixture, to form a naturally soft but protective film against your food. There’s something deliciously relaxing about feeling the wraps soften under the heat of your hand. I use them to wrap avocado halves, cheese slices and uncovered bowls of food. They are washable up to 50 times, plus, they will degrade once their service is up!
Silicone Lids
Silicone lids are fantastic. They completely seal your bowl or container and they last "forever". I have been using the same ones for the last 3 years.
They'll keep the air out and the freshness in, and can be used many times over so are a brilliant eco-friendly alternative.
If cared for properly, silicone stretch lids can last for six to 10 years of use. For that reason, they remain a long-term, cost-effective alternative to plastic wrap.
How great is that?
Silicone Bags
Is silicone safe for food? ... It's safe to store food, put in the microwave, freezer, oven, and dishwasher. You can even cook right in your Stasher bag, sous vide style. It won't leak, break down, or degrade over time.
That's a much better way to preserve food in the fridge.
Wash and cut the vegetables, store in those wonderful little bags and they last much longer than loose in the fridge.
Wax Paper
This kind of wax paper is thinner than the other one above.
I use when I bake fresh bread to wrap and keep it from drying.
I also use to wrap big chunks of cheese in the fridge.