This year I’ve embarked on a low-plastic waste challenge for my family. Every fortnight I’ll be posting a low-plastic WIN that I’ve had in Alice Springs. Please email me at [email protected] if you have any good ideas you’d like to share!

Solution: Sustainability in the Sink 

Keeping plastic out of the kitchen sink has been a great challenge for me. Most store-bought cloths, wipes or sponges are made from some form of plastic. Often the sponges deteriorate into small visible pieces of plastic as you wash, which disappear down the sink before you can say, ‘damn, I need to learn to crochet’.

If you can crochet, there are great online instructional tutorials for a crocheted cotton dishcloth, or if you are like me, you can buy them online (try Etsy) or possibly at Old Timers Fete? They do work well and are machine washable and reusable. Alternatively, using a cotton face cloth is an option.

There is also a range of eco-scrubbers (available at most health food stores) made from natural biodegradable materials (eg. coconut husk) and wire/wood handle and these are good quality and reasonably priced. Finally, the humble stainless steel scrubber is a low-waste option, as it is super durable and can be recycled at end of life.

I’ll be covering alternatives to conventional dishwashing detergents in next weeks Thorny News. Let me know if you have any you’d like to share.

Happy washing.