Plastic Pollution is one of the biggest problems facing the modern world. The universal appearance of plastic in our daily lives combined with its low recyclability and inability to biodegrade makes it a scourge to the planet. While the problem grows exponentially, we can only guess at its long-term effects on our bodies and on the environment, but we know that the prognosis is not good.
The kitchen is one place in the home where plastic is in abundance. Largely due to its convenience, we see both single-use and reusable plastics all over the kitchen, in our gadgets, cutting boards, utensils, and serving items. If we want to live more sustainably, moving toward a plastic-free kitchen is a great start.
Offering plastic-free kitchen products isn’t just good for the planet; it’s something that consumers demand. Sustainability is becoming one of the greatest concerns among the general public, and retailers need to make decisions that help their customers live more sustainably. In fact, failure to become more sustainable may result in loss of sales as many consumers base their purchasing decisions on the sustainability credentials of their products.
Here’s why consumers want plastic-free kitchens and how your company can fulfill this need.
Consumers want plastic out of their lives
Multiple studies have shown that consumers want to support companies that make it easier for them to make sustainable choices. While this has been the case for years, it’s a truth that has only strengthened. Now, more than ever, practicing sustainability within your company is more than a responsible choice for the environment but a prudent business decision as well.
According to Amazon, search terms related to plastic-free products are on the rise. In addition, the 2022 Global Buying Green Report by Trivium Packaging shows that 86% of consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable packaging. Sixty-eight percent of those surveyed said that they have chosen a product in the last six months based on its sustainability. Both of these statistics show an increase from last year’s report.
This illustrates that consumers care about sustainability enough to pay more for products and packaging that are positive for the environment. Plastic is no longer the consumer go-to; rather, people want to eliminate plastic in their lives in favor of environmentally friendly substitutes, and they are willing to spend more in order to make that happen.
Plastics are prevalent in the kitchen
Both single-use and reusable plastics in the kitchen abound, especially with the usage of plastic shopping bags. Many kitchen gadgets, like food containers, are made of plastic and contain plastic components. Food purchased from the store is also often wrapped in single-use plastic, including plastic wrap, styrofoam, and plastic containers.
While single-use plastic is one of the greatest perpetrators of plastic pollution, it’s not the only concern. Even products made of high-value plastic have a low recycling rate, as any contaminants bars recyclability. Because of this, those concerned with plastic pollution are working to eliminate all plastics from their kitchens.
Why plastic-free kitchens are good for consumers and the planet
By now, we’ve all seen the statistics surrounding single-use plastic waste and our environment. Marine plastic waste largely originates on land, which means that the plastic wrap currently in our kitchen drawers has a high likelihood of one day littering our oceans.
Non-recyclable plastics aren’t the only problem. Only 10% of all plastics are recycled, and 22% of plastic waste is mismanaged. Furthermore, 60% of all plastics are eventually discarded rather than recycled. Often, they are abandoned in improperly managed landfills, where they may eventually escape to become plastic pollution.
But, concerns surrounding plastic in the kitchen go beyond the environment. Recently, microplastics were discovered in the breast milk of new mothers in Rome. No connection was found between the appearance of microplastics and the mothers’ usage of plastics in the home, implying that it’s the ubiquitous presence of microplastics in our lives that is to blame for this occurrence.
This isn’t the first time that microplastics have been found in the human body. Past studies found microplastics in human placenta and human blood. Only time will tell the health implications of this discovery. However, rather than waiting to see the negative impacts of microplastics on our bodies, we must do what we can to limit plastic use in our daily lives to minimize the plastic pollution crisis.
Plastic kitchen products that can easily be replaced
There are plenty of plastic products in the kitchen that can be replaced with all-natural, biodegradable substitutions. In fact, plastic isn’t always the superior material. Although it is inexpensive and easy to use, items like plastic cutting boards contain nooks and crannies that harbor bacteria and are difficult to sanitize. Conversely, wooden cutting boards—like those made from bamboo, acacia, and mango teak—have been found to be naturally antimicrobial, making them more hygienic than their plastic counterparts.
Plastic bowls and utensils are also common kitchen items, especially in homes with children. While reusable plastic is always superior to single-use plastic, eventually, even reusable plastic items will need to be discarded, which as mentioned above, means that there’s a good chance they will end up as plastic pollution.
Instead of plastic, we can opt for natural materials like coconut and bamboo bowls and utensils. These biodegradable substitutes aren’t just better for the environment; they look fantastic. With an all-natural resin coating, we can create a modern aesthetic that any kitchen will love. Or, we can also depend upon the natural beauty of the wood, offering a gorgeous organic style to the contemporary home.
Plastic is convenient, but it has terrible implications for our health and our planet. Instead, we can turn to materials that are beautiful and useful, negating the use of plastics in our kitchens.
Purchase all-natural, plastic-free kitchen products with Minimali
Minimali was created in order to provide an aesthetic, modern solution to plastics in the kitchen. We believe that living sustainably doesn’t have to mean sacrificing style. While all of our products are biodegradable and responsibly sourced, both from an environmental and a social perspective, they’re also beautifully designed.
Our products consist of kitchen items that are often made of plastic, like cutting boards, serving bowls, breakfast tables, and more. Items like our serving bowls are coated with an all-natural resin that allows the products to take on a similar aesthetic to their plastic counterparts without the negative effects on our health and the environment.
Minimali is the Hebrew word for “minimal.” We believe in bringing minimalism to all parts of our life, from design to environmental impact. Our products are ones that you can feel good offering; we practice the highest sustainability standards, ensuring that every item that we offer promises positive impacts.
Do your part to reduce plastic pollution by encouraging customers toward a plastic-free kitchen. Want to know more? Contact us today!