Reducing Plastic in the Kitchen

By Sarah TaitJuly 14, 2026

Simple Low-Waste Swaps That Actually Work

The kitchen is one of the biggest sources of household plastic waste, but it's also one of the easiest places to make meaningful changes.

From cling wrap and food containers to dish sponges and packaged groceries, plastic quietly finds its way into almost every corner of our kitchens. The good news? You don't need to replace everything overnight.

The most sustainable kitchen isn't one filled with expensive "eco" products. It's one where you use what you already have, replace items only when they wear out, and choose longer-lasting alternatives as you go.

Here are some of my favourite ways to reduce plastic in the kitchen.

Start With What You Already Have

Before buying anything new, look around your kitchen.

Reuse glass jars from pasta sauce, jam, olives or peanut butter to store leftovers, pantry staples or homemade foods. Glass jars are durable, free, and often seal just as well as containers you'd buy new.

If your plastic containers are still in good condition, keep using them until they reach the end of their life. Once they crack, stain or no longer seal properly, gradually replace them with glass containers. Op shops are a fantastic place to find affordable glass storage containers, jars and mixing bowls.

Remember, the most sustainable item is usually the one you already own.

If you're just beginning your low-waste journey, check out my guide on How to Reduce Waste at Home, which shares practical swaps you can make throughout your home without spending a fortune.

Rethink Food Storage

Food storage is one of the easiest places to reduce plastic.

Instead of reaching for cling wrap every time, try:

Beeswax wraps for sandwiches, cheese, herbs and cut fruit
Glass containers for leftovers
Glass bowls with a plate on top instead of plastic wrap
Wrapping bread in a clean tea towel instead of plastic bags
Wrapping leafy greens and fresh herbs in a slightly damp tea towel to help keep them fresh
Reusable produce bags for storing some fruit and vegetables in the fridge
Freezing meals, soups and stocks in glass jars or containers. Just remember to leave a few centimetres of headspace when freezing liquids, as they expand.

These simple swaps reduce waste while often helping food stay fresher for longer.

Looking for more food storage ideas? Read Food Storage in the Kitchen for practical tips to help your food last longer while reducing waste.

Create a Low-Plastic Pantry

A low-waste pantry doesn't need matching glass jars or a Pinterest-worthy makeover.

Start by reusing jars you already have for flour, rice, pasta, nuts, seeds and snacks.

When buying new pantry items:

Choose paper, cardboard or glass packaging where possible
Buy larger sizes to reduce packaging
Shop at bulk food stores and refill your own containers
Buy loose fruit and vegetables instead of pre-packaged options

Every little change helps reduce unnecessary packaging.

The 5 Rs of Waste (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rot) are a simple framework that can help guide everyday purchasing decisions.

Shop With Plastic in Mind

Reducing plastic often starts before you even arrive home.

A few simple habits include:

Taking reusable shopping bags
Packing reusable produce bags
Choosing loose produce over pre-packed
Buying from local markets
Choosing glass bottles or aluminium where practical
Looking for products with minimal packaging

Don't stress about perfection. Simply becoming aware of packaging choices makes a huge difference over time.

If you're looking for ideas beyond the kitchen, my Plastic-Free on the Go guide shares easy swaps for lunches, shopping and everyday outings.

Set Up a Recycling Station

Not everything can go into your kerbside recycling bin.

Keep a small basket, tub or reusable bag under your sink to collect soft plastics and other tricky-to-recycle items until you're ready to take them to a recycling collection point.

Having one dedicated spot makes it much easier than trying to remember each item individually.

Swap Plastic Cleaning Tools

Many everyday kitchen cleaning products are made from plastic.

Plastic dish brushes, scourers and kitchen sponges slowly break down with use, releasing tiny plastic particles known as microplastics into our waterways. As these products wear down, they contribute to the growing issue of plastic pollution in our environment.

Instead, consider switching to:

Wooden dish brushes with natural plant fibre bristles.
Compostable cellulose cloths.
Natural loofah scrubbers.
Coconut fibre scourers.
Refillable dishwashing liquid or concentrated refills.

Not only do these last well, but many can be composted at the end of their life.

You can also make your own natural cleaning products using simple pantry ingredients.

If you're curious about why reducing plastic around food is important, you may also enjoy reading Can Plastic Affect My Fertility? Here's What You Need to Know.

Reduce Kitchen Waste Naturally

One of the best ways to reduce plastic is to make more at home while using ingredients that might otherwise go to waste.

Some of my favourite low-waste recipes include:

You'll also love:

Making food from scratch not only reduces packaging but often saves money and helps you make the most of every ingredient but not many of us have the time to make it all! I pick one thing a week (or fortnight) and start from there.

Progress Over Perfection

Living with less plastic isn't about throwing everything away and starting again.

Use what you have.

Repair what you can.

Reuse wherever possible.

Then, as items naturally wear out, replace them with longer-lasting, lower-waste alternatives.

Every jar you reuse, every beeswax wrap you reach for, and every homemade recipe you make is one small step towards reducing waste. Those simple choices add up over time, creating a kitchen that's not only lower in plastic but often more organised, less wasteful and kinder to your budget too.

Yours in nourishment

Sarah xx