Learn more and explore product swaps for your kitchen and beyond.
One easy way to cut out microplastics
Make the switch to silicone products.
There’s a good chance that your kitchen is packed full of plastics: food wrap, utensils, storage bags, kitchen tools, the list goes on. And while plastic is a 21st century staple, we’re learning that it comes with major risks.
Many plastic products contain BPA, phthalates, and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals, which may leach into food — especially when heated or in contact with acidic ingredients (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 2023). Single-use plastics also contribute to landfill overflow and ocean pollution, where they break down into harmful microplastics that reenter our environment through the water and soil (NRDC, 2024).
We know that cutting out everyday plastics at home is no small feat. One easy way to kick off your journey? Switching out your most-used plastic products for healthier alternative materials. Enter: durable, reusable, food-grade silicone. Made from silica, a natural material derived from sand, food-grade silicone is inherently more stable and less prone to chemical leaching than petroleum-based plastics (Food Safety and Environmental Science Journal, 2023). It’s also non-porous, meaning it won’t absorb odors or bacteria.
Keep reading to find top-rated silicone products worth swapping into your routine.
Your first easy swap
Replace plastic wrap with silicone covers
Made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or low-density polyethylene (LDPE), traditional plastic wraps can release harmful chemicals when in contact with food. Even when not in use, plastic wraps can degrade over time, leading to microplastic contamination in household kitchens (Environmental Science & Technology Journal, 2023).
Not to fret! Silicone food wraps, huggers, and stretch lids are here to provide a safer, reusable solution for containers of all sizes. We love stretch lids because they conform to various shapes and sizes, reducing the reliance on disposable wrap. Plus, food huggers are a genius way to extend shelf-life of produce, creating an airtight seal on everything from cut-up citrus to avocado halves. See some of our favorites below.
These silicone wraps and huggers have you (and food!) covered.
One more way to eliminate microplastic exposure
Upgrade your kitchen tools and utensils
Think about the cooking tools you reach for every single day. How many are made of plastic? Unfortunately, plastic cooking tools and utensils may contain melamine and flame retardants, both of which can migrate into food at high temperatures. And over time, plastic tools can naturally degrade, introducing microplastics into meals (Food Additives & Contaminants Journal, 2022). While wood and bamboo tools are still a great alternative to plastic, they can harbor bacteria with improper care and general aging. That’s why we love tools made from nonporous food-grade silicone, a lower-maintenance option altogether.
From heat-resistant spatulas and hygienic basting brushes to non-stick baking mats and bendy straws, there’s a silicone alt for every kitchen activity. Bonus: Silicone ladles and serving spoons prevent scratching on non-stick cookware, reducing exposure to toxic Teflon-like coatings (Environmental Working Group, 2023).
Discover revolutionary silicone kitchen tools and utensils.
More silicone kitchen swaps
Invest in safer, smarter food storage
Studies show that Americans use approximately 100 billion plastic bags annually, many of which end up in landfills or waterways and can leave behind microplastics for future exposure (Center for International Environmental Law, 2022). That’s why we’re huge proponents of silicone storage bags. Not only are they washable, reusable, and food-safe, but also, they won’t degrade over time — just one high-quality reusable silicone bag can replace hundreds of disposable plastic bags each year. And more research shows that switching to reusable silicone storage can reduce household plastic waste by up to 40% annually (Sustainable Packaging Coalition, 2022).
In addition to ultra-versatile silicone food storage bags, we love silicone ice cube trays for a freezer-safe, flexible way to store broth, baby food, and herbs. Plus, smaller silicone snack bags are an easy replacement for those single-use plastic baggies in school lunches and office lunches alike. See some product highlights below.
Shop food storage made from safe, durable silicone.
Sustainable Pro Tip
Choose wood and glass alongside silicone
Round out your plastic-free kitchen with other alternative materials that keep your body and the environment safer. Glass is another durable, highly recyclable storage solution, while wood and bamboo are great biodegradable options for utensils and prep tools like cutting boards. You might have seen recent research going around that plastic cutting boards are a key culprit for microplastic intake (Environmental Working Group, 2023), so we love the idea of switching over to non-plastic alts! Alongside silicone, both glass and wood are incredible materials to help create a lower-waste, lower-toxin kitchen for your whole family.
Try other plastic-free materials like glass and wood
The Bottom Line:
Swap in silicone for a healthier, more sustainable kitchen
From investing in reusable food wraps to trading plastic cooking tools for durable silicone, every small swap brings you one step closer to a safer home and cleaner planet. And what could be more important than that?
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SHOP A HIGHER STANDARD
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GO BEYOND PLASTIC™
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SHOP A HIGHER STANDARD
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GO BEYOND PLASTIC™
Sources:
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) — Information on endocrine disruptors like BPA and phthalates in plastics.
https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/endocrine - Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) — Article on single-use plastics 101 https://www.nrdc.org/stories/single-use-plastics-101#pollution
- Environmental Science & Technology Journal — Study on microplastic contamination from plastic wrap and packaging.
https://pubs.acs.org/journal/esthag - Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC) — Research on household plastic waste reduction through reusable solutions.
https://sustainablepackaging.org/ - Food Additives & Contaminants Journal — Study on chemical migration from plastic cooking utensils.
https://www.tandfonline.com/journal/tfac20 - American Chemical Society (ACS) — Research confirming that food-grade silicone does not leach harmful chemicals, even under high heat.
https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en.html - Environmental Working Group (EWG) — Guide on non-stick cookware and the risks of degrading Teflon coatings.
https://www.ewg.org/research/teflon-chemical - Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) — Report on the environmental impact of single-use plastics and waste reduction strategies.
https://www.ciel.org/reports/plastic-health/ - Food Safety and Environmental Science Journal — Research on food-grade silicone as a safer alternative to plastic kitchen products.https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/environmental-research