7 Swaps for Unexpected Sources of Microplastics in Kitchen Tools

As your friendly neighborhood Public Health expert—I hold a master’s degree in Public Health Nutrition and spent years studying the effects of environmental toxins on the body—I’ve got good news and bad news. The good: If you’ve already replaced common plastic kitchen tools like cutting boards and cooking utensils, you’re doing a good job reducing your exposure to microplastics. The bad: A few overlooked kitchen staples may still introduce microplastics into your food, which can build up in the body and make us sick.

Even a few days of cooking without plastic can improve our health, so I rounded up seven neglected sources of microplastics and nanoplastics in the kitchen and found healthier replacements—all for $25 or less.

Best Plastic-Free Kitchen Swaps Under $25 at Amazon

Many coffee machines, including pod-based systems and drip coffee makers, are made with surprising amounts of plastic. Hot water can deteriorate those internal plastic parts and coffee capsules and leach into your morning beverage. For a plastic-free brew, opt for this French press, which is made of sturdy glass and thoughtfully designed to keep coffee plastic-free.

Ditch that plastic strainer. Every time you pour boiling water from pasta or blanched veggies through it, your colander could shed microplastics all over your food. Stainless steel colanders stand up to hot water without compromising your meals. This one has fine holes that won’t let spaghetti slip through, as well as a tall base to keep the colander raised off the sink basin.

Glass mixing bowls are a worthy upgrade over plastic. You can still see whether your ingredients are evenly incorporated, without the risk of leaching plastic or endocrine-disrupting chemicals into your food. I prefer them over metal mixing bowls for tasks like melting butter, since glass is microwave-safe.

A recent edition of Environmental Advances highlighted a study that concluded that common dish sponges release microplastics. Save yourself the trouble by using a sponge made with naturally occurring materials, like this one composed of coconut fiber and cellulose. According to one Amazon shopper, they “scrub very well and don’t damage my dishes.”

Every time you twist a rigid, traditional plastic tray to pop ice out, you could be shaking your cocktail with an extra ingredient: plastic. Silicone is a safer option for many kitchen tools; it’s significantly more durable than traditional plastic and won’t degrade while in use. Switch to these pliant silicone trays from Glacio, just $10 apiece at Amazon.

I highly recommend replacing your plastic pantry storage containers with glass, ceramic or stainless steel. This one move can keep pesky particles and chemicals from seeping into your dry ingredients. Grab this 6-piece set of stylish glass containers—a bargain at $3.50 each.

If you’re looking for a nonstick muffin pan, which might be harboring forever chemicals if made with traditional Teflon, I recommend this silicone model instead. It’s reinforced with a metal frame, so it won’t fold in on itself if you pick it up when full. And egg bites, muffins and cupcakes easily pop out of each well.