If You Only Do One Spring Cleaning Project This Year Let It Be This One

If you only do one spring cleaning project this year, let it be this one:

Ditch the plastic in your kitchen. 

Yes, that’s it. As you are using up and going through your kitchen items and decluttering, think about ways you can limit plastic use in your kitchen and develop more sustainable and long term habits. It not only helps the environment, but also saves you money over time. An added bonus is that plastic-free kitchens are more beautiful and timeless than ones filled with clunky and color faded plasticware.

The best way to make the switch is to first use up what you already have. Thoughtlessly throwing away or decluttering what you can use up instead is just bad for the environment and our wallets. Once everything is used up or there is a need, is when you will make the swap. Recycle the empties and old containers. Simple items you might want to switch out are:

• Switch out your bottled dish soap for solid dish soap in a cute jar or tray.

• Sponges made out of non-natural materials. You can also use a bamboo dish brush with natural bristles.

• Swap plastic wrap for Bees Wrap

• Change your plastic bags to Stasher bags.

• If you haven’t updated to reusable shopping bags for your grocery trips now is the time.

• Stop using single use plastic disposable silverware, cups, and plates. Instead switch over to reusable ones that you can take on the go.

• Save your glass jars to reuse to store foods like rice, grains, and tea leaves. Did you know that jarring your fresh greens in your fridge that you can extend their shelf life?

• No more plastic Tupperware. Recycle broken and used up plastic to go boxes and use ceramic or stainless steel containers instead.

• Consider using compostable garbage bags, or at least ones that are made from recycled plastic.

• You don’t have to get rid of your Keurig to get rid of the disposable k-cups. Get a reusable Keurig steel cup and load it with your favorite coffee instead.

How do you limit your plastic use at home? If I missed anything, please share your best tips in the comments below.