Bamboo and plastic cutting boards are both affordable options for your kitchen. But which is a less toxic choice for regular use? Here is what you need to know.
Both bamboo and plastic cutting boards tend to be cost effective options. But there are contradicting reports about the benefits of using plastic boards over bamboo cutting boards. Let’s break it down: which is better – bamboo or plastic?
(If you already have a wooden cutting board, it’s a good idea to keep it well seasoned. Here’s how to season a wooden cutting board using nontoxic ingredients.
Bamboo vs plastic cutting boards
Pros of bamboo cutting boards
Durable: bamboo is a durable fibre which means it can stand up to heavy chopping use without easily showing wear.
Moisture resistant: bamboo is naturally resistant to moisture, which reduces the risk that the board will warp or crack.
Better for the environment: harvesting bamboo doesn’t require killing the entire plant, just chopping off a section which quickly regrows. Because it grows so quickly, it requires minimal pesticides or fertilisers to cultivate.
Antimicrobial properties: bamboo is a grass, not a wood. But it has many of the same antimicrobial properties that wood has. These antimicrobial properties make bamboo boards a more hygienic surface for food preparation while also minimising bacterial contamination.
Cons of bamboo cutting boards
Problematic glues: some bamboo cutting boards use formaldehyde-based glues to hold the board together. However from what I’ve read online once these glues are set, the chance they would release chemicals into your food is very low. But if you’re concerned you can reach out to the company to ask for information on the types of glue their boards are made with.
Pros of plastic cutting boards
Inexpensive: plastic cutting boards are probably the least expensive type of cutting board available on the market when you look at the buying price. However read below to see how bamboo boards are more economical in the long term.
Sold as dishwasher safe: most plastic cutting boards are marketed as being safe for the dishwasher. However, when the plastic is heated, it is more likely to release harmful chemicals into your food.
Cons of plastic cutting boards
Microplastics: There is increasing research looking at how many microplastics can be consumed when using a plastic board to chop food. Using a plastic cutting board just one time has been reported to release over 1,500 tiny particles of plastic onto the chopped food.
Health concerns: Microplastics from plastic kitchen products like cutting boards and food storage are known to wreak havoc on our bodies and environment. Microplastics are toxic to the endocrine systems in humans and wildlife and have been shown to cause cancer and negatively impact fertility.
Not as inexpensive as you may think: where we live, the average cost of a bamboo cutting board is about £15, while a plastic board tends to be about £10. It’s recommended that plastic cutting boards are replaced every two years, while bamboo boards should be replaced every 5 years. This means that the total cost of the plastic board over 5 years will be £25, versus only £15 for the bamboo board.
Bad for the environment: most plastic cutting boards are not biodegradable meaning they can take hundreds of years, if not longer, to break down.
The winner is clear. Bamboo is a superior choice to plastic cutting boards because they last longer, are less expensive long term, are more sustainable to produce, less harmful to the environment, and are less harmful to our bodies.
FAQ
How To Clean And Care For Your Board
I like to use warm water with a mild soap to wash my board. Use a kitchen cloth to pat it dry after washing to avoid the board warping or cracking. To get rid of stains or strong smells, cut a lemon in half and sprinkle salt on the board. Rub the lemon over the board and salt and use the salt to scrub the board. Then rinse with warm water and mild soap.
What to do with your old plastic cutting boards?
If you have already invested in plastic boards and don’t want them to end up in the landfill, there are many ways to reuse them. The main thing to keep in mind is to avoid using them in food-based applications.
Use them:
- Under plants outside
- As trays under kids playdough
- In woodworking applications
- What ideas do you have?
What to read next
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Simple and Non-Toxic Homemade Degreaser
How To Season A Cutting Board (Using Nontoxic Ingredients)
6 Nontoxic Plastic Wrap Alternatives
How To Make Beeswax Wraps Without Resin
All-Natural Simple Castile Soap Hand Soap Recipe
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