Household Plastic Alternatives: The Best Non-Toxic Swaps for a Healthier Kitchen
Learn why these household plastic alternatives will transform your health & cooking!
Ditching toxic plastics in the kitchen is one of the simplest yet most powerful changes you can make for your health and your home. Below are my favorite sustainable & eco-conscious products.
Are you following our Clean Series? Head over to our clean natural products post to discover more toxic-free swaps!
*I’m neither a scientist nor a doctor. This information is based on my personal experience, research, and opinion. You should always consult a healthcare professional before making any changes to your current regimen or if you have questions.
Why does a good plastic substitute matter in the kitchen?
Nearly ALL kitchen products contain plastic if you’re not intentional about what you’re buying and using. What’s worse, many common kitchen plastics can leach harmful chemicals into your food, especially when exposed to heat, acid, or wear over time.
Items like plastic cutting boards, utensils, food storage containers, piping in coffee makers, and even non-stick cookware often contain compounds like BPA, phthalates, microplastics, and more.
Did you know, a plastic cutting board typically sheds tens of thousands of microplastics per single use? 🫨
Over time, even hard plastics degrade and shed microplastics, which have been found in human blood, lungs, brains, and even placentas. The rising problems caused by plastics are raising serious concerns about long-term exposure.
Here are the top plastics that could be lurking in your kitchen:
- 🛑 ABS & Polypropylene (PP) – Found in gadgets, cutting boards, and containers; may release harmful chemicals or microplastics, especially when heated or during production.
- 🛑 BPA & Phthalates – Common in polycarbonate plastics, epoxy resins, and flexible plastics; endocrine disruptors linked to hormone imbalance, fertility issues, and developmental concerns.
- 🛑 LDPE – Used in bags and wraps; can leach chemicals over time, especially with heat, raising long-term exposure concerns.
- 🛑 PET – Found in bottles and food containers; may release antimony and disrupt hormones.
- 🛑 Polystyrene (PS) & PVC – Found in disposable cups, cutlery, wraps, and storage containers; can leach styrene or dioxins, linked to cancer, nervous system, and immune issues.
So, what are good alternatives to plastic? Here are the best toxic-free & eco-friendly kitchen products to swap to:
- ✅ Best Coffee Maker – Chemex
- ✅ Best Food Wraps – Bees Wraps
- ✅ Best Cutting Board – Adirondack Kitchen Wood Cutting Boards
- ✅ Best Mixing Bowls – Basis Products Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
- ✅ Best Cooking Utensils – Lancaster Cast Iron Wood Utensils
- ✅ Best Cookware – Lancaster Cast Iron Pans
1. Brew your coffee with a glass Chemex.
Chemex Coffee Makers – as low as $41.94 shipped
The Chemex is a standout swap for anyone looking to reduce plastic exposure in their daily routine, especially when heat is involved. Made entirely from durable borosilicate glass with simple, natural components, it eliminates concerns around chemical leaching and microplastic exposure common with plastic brewers. Its thoughtful, minimalist design isn’t just aesthetic. It’s built for longevity and everyday use, making it a smart investment for both health and sustainability. Produced in the USA and designed with intention from materials to performance, the Chemex offers a cleaner, more mindful way to brew your coffee.
You can also opt for an organic cloth coffee filter (most similar results to paper filters) or a durable stainless steel filter for a less wasteful brew.
To recap, here are the top 5 reasons why you should switch to brewing with Chemex:
- ✅ Plastic-Free & Non-Toxic – no BPA or microplastics
- ✅ Renewable & biodegradable
- ✅ Filters remove oils & impurities
- ✅ Long-lasting glass
- ✅ Biodegradable, zero-waste filter options
Love espresso? Consider the Gigga Classic Coffee Machine, which avoids wasteful pod systems and contains high-quality, safe, and toxic-free materials.
2. Use Bees Wraps to cover food and bowls.
Beeswax Wraps – as low as $14.99 shipped
Bee’s Wrap offers a simple way to move away from conventional plastic wrap, which is often made with materials that can transfer unwanted chemicals into food and contribute to long-term waste. Designed to be flexible, breathable, and naturally protective, these wraps work with your food instead of sealing it in questionable materials. Beyond food storage, the brand reflects a broader commitment to mindful sourcing and thoughtful production, making it an easy upgrade for anyone building a cleaner, more sustainable kitchen. It’s one of those small switches that adds up to a meaningful impact over time.
Are you vegan? Shop the Bee’s Wraps vegan collection.
To recap, here are the top 5 reasons why you should switch to Bee’s Wraps:
- ✅ Renewable, organic materials
- ✅ Non-toxic for humans & food
- ✅ Reusable and reduces waste
- ✅ Ethically made by responsible beekeepers
- ✅ Sourced & made in the USA
3. Swap to a solid wood cutting board and ditch plastic.
Adirondack Kitchen Wood Cutting Boards – as low as $24.99 shipped
AdirondackKitchen cutting boards are a thoughtfully made alternative to conventional plastic boards, offering a durable, all-wood surface designed for everyday kitchen use. By avoiding plastics altogether, they eliminate concerns around microplastic shedding and unnecessary chemical exposure where food prep happens most. Each board reflects a commitment to traditional craftsmanship and intentional materials, making it a practical upgrade for anyone building a cleaner, more conscious kitchen.
To recap, here are the top 5 reasons why you should switch to AdirondackKitchen’s wood cutting boards:
- ✅ Plastic-free
- ✅ Toxin-free wood
- ✅ No glues/adhesives
- ✅ Organic finishes
- ✅ Made in the USA in upstate New York
Shopping around? These block cutting boards are another in-stock USA-made option.
4. Our stainless steel mixing bowls are tested for heavy metals and made and sourced in the USA.
Basis Products Workhorse Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls – $30.99+
*Score 5% OFF when you buy a complete set.
These stainless steel mixing bowls are a reliable upgrade from plastic bowls, which can leach unwanted chemicals over time, especially when exposed to heat or repeated use. These bowls are made with a strong emphasis on safety and material integrity, following rigorous manufacturing and testing standards. Thoughtfully designed for real kitchens, they balance durability with ease of use, holding up over the years without warping or breaking down. Choosing them also means backing a small American brand that prioritizes transparency, ethical production, and higher standards in kitchen essentials.
View their most recent batch lab results HERE!
To recap, here are the top 5 reasons why you should switch to Basis Product’s mixing bowls:
- ✅ 100% USA-made & sourced
- ✅ Independently tested for heavy metals
- ✅ 100% Non-toxic & Food-Grade
- ✅ Lifetime durability
- ✅ Supports an ethical small USA business
5. Opting for wood cooking utensils is the best way to prepare your meals.
Lancaster Cast Iron Wood Utensils – $29+
*Limited styles available on Amazon.
Swapping plastic utensils for solid wood is one of the easiest ways to reduce chemical exposure in the kitchen. Lancaster Cast Iron’s wooden utensils are thoughtfully crafted from high-quality hardwood and designed to be safe, durable, and gentle on all cookware, including cast iron. They prioritize material integrity and longevity over shortcuts. I’ve personally visited their storefront and production space and can confidently say the care and standards behind their products are the real deal, making these utensils a dependable, long-term kitchen upgrade.
Shopping around? There are plenty of 100% wood cooking utensils on Etsy. The key is to finding utensils with an organic oil finish.
To recap, here are the top 5 reasons why you should switch to Lancaster Cast Iron’s wood cooking utensils:
- ✅ Plastic-free
- ✅ Toxin-free wood
- ✅ Can be used on any cookware
- ✅ Organic finishes
- ✅ Made in the USA in North American hardwoods
6. Ditch your toxic non-stick cookware and opt for American-made cast iron that will last a lifetime.
Lancaster Cast Iron Cast Iron Pans – as low as $120 shipped
Most nonstick pans rely on chemical coatings that break down over time, especially with high heat, which can mean unwanted stuff ending up in your food. Lancaster Cast Iron is a refreshingly simple upgrade that skips the coatings altogether and leans on quality materials and old-school craftsmanship instead. These pans naturally become more nonstick the more you use them, so they actually get better with age rather than needing to be replaced. Made in the USA and designed to last a lifetime, this is one of those “buy it once” kitchen swaps that pays off in the long run.
To recap, here are the top 5 reasons why you should switch to Lancaster Cast Iron’s cookware:
- ✅ 100% Toxin-Free Cooking
- ✅ Naturally nonstick
- ✅ Built to last a lifetime
- ✅ Sourced & made in the USA
- ✅ Versatile & timeless
Not all beeswax wraps are good. I bought some on markdown at the grocery store and they are trash: cardboard-y and no self adhesiveness at all. If you decide to try them, feel them for flexibility and they should have some tackiness. If it won’t stay on the top of a bowl or hold a lunch wrap, PASS!
Thanks a bunch for sharing these super helpful details, Jenny! 🙌 That’s such a good tip about checking for flexibility and tackiness—I’m sure it’ll help others know what to look for (and what to avoid!). 🐝
I totally agree, Jenny! Not all bees wraps are treated the same (I’ve tested quite a few). Bees wraps and Meli brands are the best. 🙌🏼