Avoid the Environmental Impact of Plastic Kitchen Sponges with our Coconut Scourer

As you set on your sustainability journey, you are likely to start looking for things in your home that are producing a lot of waste, responsible for large amounts of greenhouse gas emissions or associated with unsustainable practices in production. One item that checks all of those boxes is a kitchen sponge or scourer – if you are using the conventional plastic one, that is.

What makes it such an unsustainable choice? And how do we avoid their impact by choosing more sustainable alternatives?

What is wrong with plastic kitchen sponges?

While you have probably gathered that plastic kitchen sponges are not the most environmentally friendly choice when it comes to washing up, what are the different reasons for that? From the wasteful design to the release of microplastic particles into the environment – plastic kitchen sponges are no good in many aspects.

Microplastics

Conventional kitchen sponges are made out of plastic, which releases small microscopic particles of plastic (micro-plastics). These particles, which are released into water any time you wash your dishes with plastic kitchen sponges, are too small to be filtered out at wastewater treatment plants. Therefore, they make their way into the water cycle, ending up in our rivers, the ocean and even drinking water.

Coconut scourer saves the day

A natural coconut scourer is a great alternative that can substitute plastic or metal scourers and decrease your environmental impact drastically. It is 100% biodegradable, which means that it can be returned to the earth with no negative effects on the environment. Put that together with their biodegradability and non-toxicity and we think we have found the best sustainable alternative to kitchen sponges there is.

Useful Tips

• Firstly, after using the scourer, make sure to wash out any leftover dish soap or food residue with clean water.

• Store it in a dry spot, such as a soap dish, where it will not sit in water.

• To deep clean the coconut scourer, prepare a mixture of 1 part vinegar, 2 parts water and let soak for a few hours, rinsing afterwards.

Plastic kitchen sponges are likely some of the most wasteful products in our kitchens, releasing micro-plastics, filling up landfills, being made out of crude oil and often treated with harsh chemicals like triclosan. Your best bet is to substitute plastic or metal sponges with a more eco-friendly alternative, such as our coconut scourer.