A new expert review warns of a global “plastics crisis”, driven by rising production and the relentless use of single-use items. In our homes, the kitchen is often the biggest culprit. From washing-up brushes to chopping boards, plastic is everywhere, with reports linking them to microplastics and chemical leaching.
The good news? Many everyday items can be swapped for wooden, metal, glass, or bamboo alternatives. And you don’t need to clear out everything at once. The most sustainable step is to keep using what you have until it’s worn out, then replace it with a better option.
When it’s time for your next swap, whether it’s a washing-up bowl, chopping board, or that final roll of clingfilm, explore our 12 easy plastic-free kitchen swaps to inspire your change.
Dish Brushes
Search “washing-up brush” online and you’ll mostly find plastic, with little to no real alternatives.
Our wooden brushes swap out plastic for natural fibres that scrub effectively, last longer, and look good by your sink.
Choose a brush that works hard without plastic waste. Make the switch today!
Coconut Fibre Plastic Free Kitchen Dish Brush
£4.78 from re:gn →
Most washing-up brushes are made of plastic through and through, and once worn out, they head straight to the landfill.
This wooden dish brush from re:gn is made from 100% FSC-certified beechwood and sustainably sourced coconut fibre, making it mostly biodegradable. It scrubs tough dishes without the waste.
Switch to a brush that’s kinder to your home and the planet.
Just remember not to leave it soaking in hot water, as the natural glue may loosen.
Re:gn Bamboo Washing Up Brush with Replaceable Head
Most brushes need replacing in full once the bristles wear out, which creates more waste with every swap.
This brush uses durable plant-fibre bristles, and the head can be removed and replaced when needed. You keep the handle, save money, and cut down on waste.
Choose a smarter, longer-lasting brush, replace the head, not the whole thing.
Scourers
The scouring side of a typical kitchen sponge hides plastic, shedding tiny fragments that become microplastics in your home.
Plant-based materials like loofah and coconut fibre are naturally coarse, durable, and tough enough to tackle stubborn pans without polluting.
Make the switch to plastic-free scrubbing, and clean your dishes while keeping microplastics out of your kitchen.
Seep Eco Sponge Scourers 12-Pack | 1-Year Supply
Conventional sponges wear out fast, shed microplastics, and often aren’t safe for delicate cookware.
Made from loofah and wood pulp cellulose, these Seep sponges are plastic-free, gentle on nonstick pans, and built to last. One pack can see you through a whole year.
Switch to sponges that work harder, last longer, and keep your kitchen plastic-free.
Biodegradable Coconut Kitchen Scourers | Pack of 5
Most scourers are made with plastic, harsh on skin, and end up as waste that lingers for years.
These coconut-fibre scourers cut through stubborn grime while staying gentle on your hands. When they’re done, they biodegrade naturally, no plastic, no guilt.
Scrub smarter and cleaner. Choose scourers that work hard without leaving waste behind.
Swedish Eco Durable Dish Cloths | Pack of 4
Paper towels and synthetic cloths pile up waste and often fall apart after just a few uses.
These Swedish dish cloths are super absorbent, reusable, and durable, perfect for spills, surfaces, and everyday mess. Made from natural materials, they’re fully biodegradable when they’ve reached the end of their life.
Clean smarter and waste less. Switch to Swedish dish cloths that return to the earth without a trace.
Reusable Kitchen Roll
re:gn Reusable Durable Kitchen Roll | Pack of 7
£7.99 (Buy One Get One Half Price) from re:gn →
Paper towels get used once, then head straight to the bin, creating constant waste and expense.
These reusable kitchen roll sheets are made from 100% organic cotton, giving you strong, absorbent, and eco-friendly cleaning power. Just wash and reuse them again and again.
Ditch the single-use habit and clean effectively while saving money and reducing waste.
Reusable Bamboo Plastic Free Reusable Kitchen Roll | 20 Sheets
£6.99 (Buy One Get One Half Price) from re:gn →
Disposable paper towels stack up fast. They're costly, wasteful, and bad for the planet.
These reusable bamboo towels are strong, super absorbent, and washable over 100 times, replacing up to 65 single-use rolls. Made from sustainable bamboo, they handle spills and surfaces with ease.
Switch once, save money, and cut waste. Make bamboo your go-to kitchen roll.
Beeswax Wraps
Clingfilm is single-use, plastic-heavy, and heads straight to landfill after one wrap.
Beeswax wraps are a natural alternative. They're fabric-coated in beeswax, so they’re pliable, reusable, and hold their shape around leftovers. Easy to care for too: just wash in cool water with a little washing-up liquid, dry flat, and use again.
Wrap your food the natural way. Switch to beeswax wraps and say goodbye to single-use plastic.
Eco Beeswax Food Wraps, Reusable Food Covers | Pack of 3
Single-use sandwich bags and cling film pile up waste after just one use.
This set of beeswax wraps comes in three handy sizes with fun patterns, perfect for keeping food fresh or taking a sandwich into the office.
Swap the plastic for reusable wraps that look good, work hard, and cut waste.
Storage
Clingfilm and plastic bags are single-use, flimsy, and end up as waste after just one use.
Reusable silicone lids stretch to fit bowls, mugs, and even cut fruit, sealing in freshness without the plastic. Silicone bags are leakproof, versatile, and safe for the fridge, freezer, or even cooking. Easy to clean, they’re ready to reuse again and again.
Ditch single-use wrap for good. Switch to silicone lids and bags that keep food/leftovers fresh and waste low.
Re:gn Silicone Food Lids. Airtight Reusable Covers | Pack of 6
Clingfilm is wasteful, fiddly, and used once before heading to landfill.
This set of five reusable silicone lids stretches to fit everything from cups to large bowls. Flexible, airtight, and dishwasher safe, they keep food fresher for longer, without the plastic waste.
Seal, store, and reuse. Swap clingfilm for silicone lids that make kitchen life easier and greener.
Reusable Silicone Food Storage Freezer Bags
£3.99 from re:gn →
Single-use plastic bags tear easily, leak, and pile up as waste after just one use.
These reusable silicone bags are 100% leak-proof. Ideal for storing liquids, leftovers, or snacks. Available in 1L and 1.5L sizes, they’re freezer, microwave, and dishwasher safe for everyday convenience.
Switch to a stronger, smarter, waste-free alternative. These silicone bags are built to last.
Re:gn Compostable Food Cling Wrap (Cling Film) | 30m
Traditional cling film is plastic-based, single-use, and lingers in landfills long after it’s thrown away.
This 30m compostable cling film is strong, flexible, and keeps food fresh just like the regular kind, but it’s completely plastic-free and can be composted after use.
Make the easy swap to cling film that protects your food and the planet.
Certified Compostable Food & Freezer Bags
Plastic food bags are single-use, non-breathable, and stick around in landfills for decades.
These compostable food bags come in 2L, 4L, and 6L sizes. They're perfect for snacks, sandwiches, and leftovers. Strong, breathable, and plastic-free, they’re designed to keep food fresh and then break down naturally.
Store it, use it, compost it. Swap plastic bags for a waste-free alternative.
