
How To Eat Sustainably At Home
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It seems the tide is finally beginning to turn against plastic. As the full realisation of what we are doing to our oceans begins to hit us, it’s time to look at the wealth of alternatives out there, which often actually work better (and look nicer) than their plastic counterparts.
Even though consumers have become a lot more aware in the last year or two, the packaging industry has yet to catch up properly with viable alternatives to plastic. The facilities needed to process more environmental alternatives don’t really exist yet, especially in the UK, and there is a wealth of confusing alternatives on offer which may not be any better, or could potentially be even worse, for the environment.
It’s taken me some time to change my habits in the kitchen, and I am far from perfect still. I started buying in bulk many years ago, then I got re-useable water bottles and coffee cups. Next, I reduced the plastic packaging my food came in, then I moved away from cling film and finally I have tried to reduce the packaging I buy when I am travelling (which I have to say is the hardest bit). And I still end up buying punnets of berries in plastic for my son. But I try my best.
Here are some more of Anna’s tips for cutting down on plastic in the kitchen…
Buy in Bulk
Wherever you can, buy dry goods and spices in bulk, but make sure you are being realistic about the amounts: overbuying and waste are also not the aim here. Save your old glass jars to refill with loose grains, lentils, nuts and seeds. If you can take them with you to the shop and fill them there all the better.
Bottled Water
Keep glass bottles to fill with tap water which you can then keep in the fridge to save running the tap if you want cold water to drink. Use a charcoal filter inside the bottle to make the water taste better or run it though a water filter first (the Berky one is great). If you buy a lot of bottles of sparkling water, you could consider a Soda Stream to carbonate your own drinking water.
Buy Loose Unpacked Fruit & Veg
Where you can, in the supermarket or the greengrocers, opt for loose, packaging-free fruit and veg. Use canvas bags, or clean totes to store vegetables in the fridge or freezer. This stops freezer burn and helps keep vegetables from drying out. This way you’ll be more likely to buy what you need and in turn reduce your waste too. For soft fruits and veg, like berries and tomatoes, this can be harder, but some places use compostable paper punnets and compostable wrappers – look out for these if you can.
Storage Containers
If you need new ones, go for glass rather than plastic (obviously don’t throw away existing plastic ones; use them until they fall apart). Glass is a safer material to use for storing food as plastic can taint food. Also, consider enamel storage pots or baking trays, which can go straight from the oven into the fridge. More often than not, though, you can use an old jar or a bowl with a plate on top.
Cling Film
This is one where you need to use your judgement, since food waste is potentially more harmful than using cling film. And there are really no viable alternatives for cling film in restaurant kitchens just yet. At home, you can use beeswax wraps instead and they work really well for covering cheese, sandwiches and bowls. They work less well for oily or tomato-based sauces as they can be hard to clean. Health-food stores and bulk shops sell beeswax wraps, and they are easy to find online. For wrapping pastry and dough while it rests – use a clean damp tea towel. Re-useable zip-lock bags are also now available and really useful for freezing and storing things where you might have used a throwaway zip-lock bag.
Straws
Try straws actually made from straw (which is what they were named after in the first place) or stainless-steel straws. Refuse plastic or paper straws when out and about. Paper ones are not really much better for the environment and are mostly not biodegradable. Also, be mindful that some food outlets will stock plastic lids with non-plastic straws stuck in, which obviously is not a win for anyone.
Bowl Covers
Linen bowl covers are a great way to avoid cling film too and they look nice. These can be easily made, too, if sewing is your thing.
Cleaning Cloths
You can buy reusable cloths, which go in the washing machine rather than J-cloths and sponges (though these can be washed in the washing machine too, they just don’t last as long). Ones made of natural fabrics and not plastic-derived are obviously the best choices. Use wooden-handled brushes for scrubbing pans and veg. Make your own all-purpose spray, too. Take an old spray bottle and fill it with a homemade kitchen cleaning spray by mixing 500ml (depending on the size of the spray bottle) of boiled water with 50ml of white vinegar and a few drops of essential oils, which you can switch up depending on the season.
Inspired? Here are three tasty, waste-free recipes to try at home…

Aubergine & Peanut Stew With Pink Onions

Carrot & Sesame Pancakes

Miso & Caramelised Banana Rice Pudding
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