Break out the bamboo: how to transform your home into a plastic-free zone
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Do you want to start living a plastic-free life but don’t know where to begin? Looking around your house it might seem like a daunting task – because most of us have Tupperware in our cupboards, packaging in our fridges and a bundle of plastic bags lurking in a drawer.
Contrary to what you might think though, transforming your living space into a plastic-free zone can be relatively simple and makes for an impressive revamp. Imagine, for instance, how smart your kitchen could look without those unsightly plastic chopping boards stacked on the work top?
“There are plenty of stylish and affordable alternatives to plastic in the kitchen,” Victoria Harrison, editor of home renovation and design platform Houzz.co.uk, explains.
“Replace old plastic chopping boards with wooden ones, store food in enamel and glass dishes, and consider bamboo-fibre plates and bowls instead of plastic for children.”
“Dustpans, brushes, plant pots… when you need a new utility item the chances are there's a metal, wicker or wooden version that’s not only better for the environment than plastic, but will also give your home a timeless utilitarian charm,” she adds.
If you are looking for ways to de-plastic your home, here are some suggestions to get you started.
Typhoon Vintage Coated Steel Bread Bin With Beechwood Lid
Wave goodbye to supermarket sliced bread forever. With this steel bread bin you are definitely walking those extra minutes to the bakery. Because you can’t keep plastic wrapped bread in this smart vintage-style bread bin, can you? Only a freshly baked loaf will do. The lid can be flipped over and used as a bread board as well.
£21.87 | houzz.co.uk | Buy it now
Bamboo Chopping Board
Plastic chopping boards were largely sold to us on the basis that they were easy to clean, dishwasher safe and therefore inhospitable environments for bacteria.
But recent studies have revealed bacteria can, in fact, grow just as easily on them as it can on their better-looking wooden cousins. Really, it seems it's all much of a muchness.
With this in mind, why not turn your attention to a bamboo board? This option has an easy-to-wipe surface and a handy hook for hanging.
£11 | houzz.co.uk | Buy it now
Must-have alternatives to single-use plastics
Kids Peanut Bamboo Fibre Tableware Set
Serve up the kids’ tea on this eco-friendly bamboo fibre tableware. Made from recyclable materials, the Peanut set features a plate, bowl and cup, decorated with cute Donna Wilson watercolour illustrations. Best of all, they’re dishwasher-safe – up to 40°C no less.
£16.99 | houzz.co.uk | Buy it now
Typhoon Lotus Bamboo Utensil Set
If you want to cook up a stir-fry in style, take a look at this Typhoon Lotus Bamboo Utensil Set. Ideal for Far Eastern cooking, the skimmer, spatula and tongs are made from sustainably sourced bamboo, which is moisture resistant and therefore hinders the growth of bacteria. Win-win.
£9.67 | houzz.co.uk | Buy it now
black+blum Loop Candelabra
If you’re looking for a non-plastic centrepiece for your dining table, why not consider an elaborate candelabra? This copper Loop version is an ultra modern design and would fit into minimalist interiors just as well as ornate decor schemes.
£36 | John Lewis | Buy it now
Bee’s Wrap Reusable Sustainable Sandwich Wrap
Perhaps the most ingenious non-plastic item of all. Yes, £15 to wrap a sandwich might sound expensive, but how much do you spend on cling film in a lifetime? Made from organic cotton, this reusable food wrap uses sustainably harvested beeswax which inhibits the growth of bacteria, and in addition to your lunchtime sandwich, it can also be used to wrap cooked meats, leftover bread, cold potatoes, and so it goes on.
£14.99 | houzz.co.uk | Buy it now
Earth Bamboo and Ceramic Bathroom Tumbler Set
It’s high time we banished all those plastic handwash bottles and replaced them with this uber chic Earth Bamboo and Ceramic Bathroom Set. With a liquid soap dispenser and tumbler to hold your toothbrush, it also comes with a sweet little soap dish. Best of all, each piece is made from ceramic with sustainable bamboo wooden bases – basically a must-have for minimalist bathrooms.
Chilton Wooden Ceiling Dryer
What could be better for the environment than a wooden ceiling dryer? It’s not just about not having a plastic clothes rack; it’s about not having a gigantic tumble dryer which, as we all know, is not only made with plastic but is one of our home’s greatest eaters of energy.
This ceiling dryer does the clothes-drying job perfectly and can be stored discreetly out of view.
