As awareness grows of the damage that plastic can cause, you may wonder whether to replace plastic items such as kitchen utensils with more sustainable alternatives. The answer to this question may be more complex than it first appears.
Reasons to throw away your plastic utensils
Recent research into the harms caused by plastic has focused not just on the environmental impact, but also potential health risks. Tiny pieces known as microplastics, too small to see, can break off larger items and infiltrate the human body.
Scientists are still not sure just how much damage this could do, but they are certain that microplastic levels have increased drastically.
One source of microplastics is the food supply. Food is kept in plastic containers, chopped on plastic boards, stirred with plastic utensils and eaten with plastic cutlery. All of which can cause the release of microplastics that then remain in the food as it is eaten. Wood or metal replacements would not represent the same risk.
Another reason you may want to replace your utensils is because they no longer match your space. When you imagine kitchen refurbishment Guildford, you may think about new units, but smaller items may need to be updated too. If your kitchen has a more traditional look, plastic utensils may not fit.
Reasons to keep your plastic utensils
Plastic waste is a significant issue, piling up in landfill and polluting oceans. Generally speaking, if you own something that works, it is more sustainable to keep it than to throw it away and replace it, especially with something non-biodegradable like plastic. It can also be expensive to try to completely restock your kitchen. What may be better is to wait until your existing utensils break or wear out at the end of their natural lifespan, and gradually replace them, rather than incorporating them into your full kitchen refurbishment in Guildford.
Whether it is currently appropriate for you to replace your plastic utensils will depend on weighing these different factors. The answer may be different for everyone, and you may wish to periodically revisit the question.
